Tori couldnt help but tap her foot under the table. She was distracted as she oversaw the ga where six matrons of so of the most influential families in the Central Corridor were clutching thick cardboard cards in their hands as if their lives depended on it.
Lady Fargonod, please roll the dice. The gray-haired old womans soft, but wrinkled hand shot down to the board and plucked up the dice. She rolled them in her hands before she released the dice into the center of the board.
Three! Then, I will go here...into the library. Lady Fargonod was smiling. I have an accusation! She looked at Tori, who nodded. It was Bishop Frank in the library with the bust of St. Germaine!
Tori opened the black envelope she was holding and took out the three cards within. She smiled and laid them on the table one by one. It was indeed Bishop Frank, in the library, and with the bust of St. Germaine!
I knew it! Duchess Tetri threw her cards on the board, disgruntled. If only I was closer I wouldve made that guess!
You said that the last ti, too, Duchess Fekete said in a dull, unimpressed voice.
Shall we play again? Lady Fargonod asked, still beaming. Tori checked her ti piece.
Were about ready to switch gas. She looked around the great hall where several tables had been set up along with chairs. Groups of people who didnt partake in the hunt were huddled around the tables and the room was noisy.
Tori had brought a half dozen board gas, three card gas, a guidebook introducing role-playing-gas, and a Soleil version of mahjong tiles which she first tested on Anahata Island and cost her two heliotropes from her Gorask chest when she lost to the Bishop of Karap. She shouldnt have suggested that they bet crystals.
For Granite Towers sample gas, she had asked for a large chalkboard to be rolled in from one of the study rooms and a group of young people who hadnt joined the hunt were laughing through a ga of Pictionary.
What are we playing next? Duchess Tetri asked. She gracefully craned her neck to look at the next table. Each group had about thirty minutes to try a ga, then they would rest and rotate.
The Sun Tiles. The clacking of the wood tiles sounded as a table of two n and two won shuffled and dropped the wooden tiles. There were 144 in a set; Tori went with the standard rather than one of the variations, but she had to change the characters on the tiles to fit Soleil.
For the most part, even if one didnt know what the characters ant, if they could match them up, a person could play the ga. She replaced the Chinese characters with common and easy to recognize Old Sulfae, but kept the circles and bamboo.
Tori spent most of the morning showing people how to play each ga before the rotation began. Shed gone around asking people for their opinions and explained that these were gas to be sold at her new store in the Fourth District. The comnts so far were promising.
However, even as Tori announced it was ti for a switch, her mind was elsewhere.
After every rotation, shed gone upstairs to call for Alexander, but she hadnt seen him all afternoon. His food bowl was left untouched; sothing that never happened. Duchess Fekete had her servants look for the cat, but so far, there had been no sight of him.
The room shifted and people wandered to whatever table they wanted to play or remained where they were, as the few people still working on their dungeon crawl.
I am sure he will show up. Its actually quite difficult for a cat to get out of Granite Tower, Duchess Fekete said as she took a seat at the tiles table. She had noticed the distracted and worried expression on Toris face. Speckles and Stripes sotis arent seen for days at a ti.
Speckles and Stripes were the nas of Duke Feketes calico and ginger tabby.
Tori took a deep breath and forced a smile on her face. I just hope hell co back or is found by tonight. Were leaving tomorrow.
If he doesnt, we will keep an eye out for him. When we find him, Ill send him back. Dont worry. Alexander will be fine. The Duchess promised her with a pat on her arm. She then looked at the table and rubbed her hands together. Sun Tiles was a favorite, especially when everyone learned they could make small bets.
One gold coin each in the pot, Duchess Tetri smirked. The two duchesses locked eyes from across the table.
Tori pursed her lips. The wager was supposed to be a small amount, but then again, when the players were rich, she supposed the standard changed.
We need one more person, Duchess Sinan said. Her husband had gone off to hunt with their daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. Duchess Sinan was the daughter of a Viscount in Tetri and was familiar with the Duchess.
A sha the Young Lord Gerald went hunting, Duchess Tetri sighed. Then it could be a ga against four of the duchies.
Countess, do you want to represent Axton? Duchess Fekete patted the seat to her right. He says you are as close as he has to a sister.
Tori opened her mouth to decline - she didnt bring enough change to wager and was too embarrassed, but the head butler stepped into the room.
The sun is setting and the first of the hunting parties has arrived!
Already? Tori heard people proclaim their confusion and looked towards the windows. The sky was still bright, but they couldnt see the horizon from the great room windows.
Theyre a bit early, Duchess Fekete said, frowning as she reluctantly drew her hands back from the tiles they were shuffling. I wouldve clarified to return when the sun hit the horizon.
Perhaps theyre not used to being in the forest and are being cautious, Duchess Sinan suggested. Its not too bad to be careful, especially with ones life.
The won nodded and Tori furrowed her brows. Do we wait here, or do we go to the courtyard to greet them?
Duchess Fekete looked at the tiles, as if torn between her hostess duty and playing against the other duchesses. We should go and greet them. She didnt sound willing at all.
Tori held back a chuckle, but smiled. My knights and I will pack up the gas.
Ah...would you consider keeping the Sun Tiles out? Duchess Tetri asked. For so after dinner activities?
I can bring so down after dinner. It will be a good chance to see what everyone is interested in playing, Tori said. The crowd in the great room parted with their gas. Several people stopped to ask Tori to bring back a few gas and those who were dungeon crawling tucked away their character sheets.
Toris two Guevera knights and the two escort knights Piers assigned her carried her gas back to her room. She ran to the balcony and called for Alexander. His food bowl remained untouched. Tori rubbed her stomach, feeling uneasy.
Alexander is a smart and adventurous cat, Sir Pinzon told her in a reassuring voice. He will co back by tonight; I am sure of it.
Tori bit her lips, but nodded. Alexander spent a lot of ti in the tent sleeping, but when he wasnt sleeping, he was God-only-knew where. He always ca ho at night, but that was in Viclya. Tori was sure he was familiar. Granite Tower was a completely different place.
Calm down. Just give it until tonight. Im sure hes fine. She made sure to keep the balcony door open just a bit before leaving her room.
When she reached the courtyard, several more hunting parties arrived. The spacious courtyard had groups of boisterous people. So were bragging, so were empty handed, and others were exchanging experiences and complaining that there wasnt enough ga.
Tori rolled her eyes. The section of the forest where the hunt took place had been carefully prepared. Not only was it left unhunted for three years, but animals were also periodically released to increase the chances of finding prey. The Duchy even monitored the populations of the larger animals.
What do you an there wasnt enough? Duchess Fekete almost snorted as Duke Sinan lumbered towards them at the base of the steps. Dont you an that you simply couldnt find any?
I an that there werent enough! Duke Sinan insisted, his face red. What deer and boar? I didnt see half the animals you said there would be!
He puffed up his chest defiantly, but Duchess Fekete only sneered. Then perhaps you should work on your tracking.
Catherine, tell the truth, Duchess Sinan said as she faced her daughter. How did your father do?
The heir to the Sinan Duchy seed a bit reluctant. We only encountered the smaller animals, but.... She glanced at her father and then lowered her voice. You know father isnt a very good huntsman.
Tori turned her head away and pretended she didnt hear. She scanned the courtyard, but didnt see Piers and the others. If she knew them, they wouldve continued to hunt until the sun began to set. Only then would they start their return trip. How long it took depended on how far they were.
JP and Sonias saddles were given to them by Dede and had light crystals on either side to help them if they were caught outside after dark. Tori was confident in their preparations, as Dede clearly knew what he was doing, and the knights and Axton had levels of survival training, so she wasnt too worried if they got back a bit later than everyone else.
She walked down the steps and to the bench beneath a tree to wait.
She kept a close eye on the ga that was brought in. No one seed to have bagged a boar, but there were a few with one or two deer. Most of the parties had small prey, mainly rabbits, pheasants, and ducks. The head butler was the one in charge of logging in results of each partys hunt.
All right, its pretty good so far. The highest score isnt astronomical, and the difference is small. Piers and the others have a good chance.
What was most important was that they returned safe.
What was next most important was that they beat Gideon.
According to the list posted in the great room, there were fifteen hunting parties with three to six people in each party.
Tori checked her ti piece again and glanced at the sky. Slowly, the blue turned orange, then to violet. The orange glow of the sunset couldnt be seen over the tops of the castle walls, and the amount of people returning had thinned out.
Sir Pinzon, Tori asked, her eyes still fixed on the gate at the far end of the courtyard. Ask Mr. Kurt how many parties havent returned.
The female knight behind her gave a small nod and swept around the bench to walk towards the gray-haired man holding a stiff folio and pen. Tori watched Sir Pinzon lean forward and speak to the head butler quietly before nodding and returning.
She bent forward to tell Tori. Three parties still havent returned, my lady. Both His Highness Prince Piers and Prince Gideons parties are still out, and Lord Duartes party of six.
Tori furrowed her brows. She didnt pay attention to Gideons party at all and turned towards the steps of the entryway, where Duchess Fekete was still standing at the base of the steps, mirroring her expectant gaze on the gate.
If it were Tori, and her only son and heir was out hunting, her only solace would be that Evzen was in the company of three knights. At least two of those three would be useful in an ergency. Still, Tori supposed any mother would be anxious when their child was not yet accounted for.
Piers and the others arent yet accounted for and Im already starting to get worried. Tori took a deep breath to try to calm herself as she looked back towards the gate. She lifted her hands and rubbed her arms.
Are you cold, my lady? Sir Bazan asked from her left. We are at a higher elevation than Viclya and the temperatures drop at night.
No, no, Im fine. She didnt notice the temperature change. She was more focused on her friends returning.
Sir Bazan and Sir Pinzon seed to exchange a glance and a mont later, a maid had been called over and Sir Pinzon asked for a shawl. Tori didnt stop her and kept her eyes on the gate. By now, the courtyard only had one other party and they were waiting as Mr. Kurt counted and recorded their ga.
Tori caught a movent through the gate, and she craned her neck, holding her breath as the shadows erged into the courtyard. She could make out the large horses and several riders.
His Highness Prince Gideons party has returned!
Ugh. Tori curled the corner of her lip and slumped back on the bench. Wrong prince.
The group approached the entrance of Granite Tower and in the brightly lit courtyard, stable hands seed to appear from the shadows to collect the horses as Mr. Kurt and the Duke and Duchess approached. The two imperial knights dismounted and began removing the ga from where they were hanging off several saddles.
Alessa, Gideon, and Evzen didnt have any ga on theirs. It seed that the knights carried their spoils. Fabian even had a deer carcass on the back of his horse.
Tori didnt approach, but she did try to identify and count the partys ga, then calculate the points in her head. There were several rabbits and two ga birds that she could see.
My brother hasnt returned yet? Gideons voice was both surprised and worried. He looked around the courtyard and seed to notice her sitting under the tree, waiting. Tori ignored him and returned her attention to the gate.
From her calculations, Gideons party had a decent total, but compared to what she heard so other parties totals were, they werent the top score.
My lady, please put this on. A maid approached her with a purple woven shawl and Tori gave her a grateful smile before taking it.
Thank you. As she wrapped it around her, Sir Dobchek, who was waiting with them, spoke up.
Should we call them, my lady?
No, lets wait a bit a longer, Tori said. The weather conditions arent bad, several of them have survival, as well as basic aid, training, as well as light crystals and more than enough food. We also havent seen any crystal beacon indicating that they are lost or injured, so Im sure theyre on their way. If theyre not here in an hour, Im going to call. Im not a parent; I should have more faith in my friends- She shot to her feet as she saw a faint yellow light past the portcullis. I see lights!
She was rushing across the courtyard before anyone could stop her. As far as she knew, no one else had brought light crystals with them, especially not ones that could function as essentially headlights. Tori had seen them on Sprite and Maple, the horses Dede lent for the hunt, when they were traveling.
She ran past Gideon and his party, positive that the lights belonged to her friends.
Tori! The lights flashed in her eyes for just a mont before the horse turned and Sonia waved her arm. Were back!
The tightness in Toris chest eased. She tried not to look too relieved, as if she doubted theyd return. Sonia and a knight were at the front while JP followed in the very back with the other knight. Another group of six people were with them: older guests looking a bit more ragged than her friends. It was Lord Duartes group. With them in tow, all the hunting parties were accounted for.
Sorry were late, Axton said as he slowed Blue River. Two mbers of Lord Duartes group were separated after a boar chased them, so we stopped to assist them.
As long as you all are safe, Tori said with a wide smile. Welco back!
By the way, we found soone while we were out, Sonia said. The bay horse stopped in front of Tori and Sonia tugged open her outer tunic length robe that had been draped over the front of the saddle.
Tori sucked in a sharp breath as relief and anger swept over her. Alexander Hamilton de Guevera the First! Where the hell have you been!? Her furious voice almost filled the courtyard as the fluffy gray cat sat on the front of Sonias saddle, lazily swaying his tail back and forth.
Tori ignored the chuckles as she marched forward to grab the scruff of her cat, only to freeze. Alexander was an ashy gray color with so white strands of fur here and there. Patches of dark, hardened fur dotted his body and his paws. Her heart dropped.
Dont panic! Sonia said, waving her hand. Its not his blood.
Toris jaw dropped. What do you an its not his blood!
Nyaow! Alexander let out a loud cry and jumped from Sonias saddle and onto the back of Axtons horse. Draped over the carcass of a deer was a blood-spattered orange and black furred mass. Alexander proudly climbed on top of it and seed to pat the fur as he let out so more ows.
This did not make Tori feel any better.
He is a very skilled hunter, Piers said. Hed dismounted to walk Ice Queen the rest of the way and appeared at her side after handing his horse to one of his knights. He caught a young fox.
She almost slapped him. You let my several month-old cat fight a fox?
Piers had a glint of pride. He won.
Several swears echoed in her head, but nothing ca out of her gaping mouth. She snapped her head back to her cat. What if hes injured?
I checked and he doesnt seem to be hurt anywhere, JP said. Im not as adept with small animals as I am with horses, but from what I felt, hes not injured. No bites, nor scratches....
We can ask Duke Fekete for assistance, my lady, Sir Pinzon told her. There is an animal doctor present.
Ask for them at once, Tori said without any hesitation. She took the shawl from her shoulders and wrapped Alexander in it as she pulled him off the horse. You are in so much trouble.
Dont be angry at him, Piers said. He was of great help hunting small ga.
Tori looked towards the horses. She had been so distracted by their arrival and her blood-splattered cat, that she didnt notice that every saddle had sothing hanging from them. There were several ga birds, a rabbit, so deer, the fox, and a large black-haired animal on Sir Grangers horse.
Your Highness, Mr. Kurt stopped beside it, his pen frozen over the folio as he almost gawked at the ga. Is this.... He circled around the horse and his face lit up. Congratulations, Your Highness! You are the first and only hunting party to bring back a boar!
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