by M. Gregg Roe
She looked at the five dresses hanging in the wardrobe. They all had low-cut fronts, which was no surprise. Audrey pointed at one and said, “How about the purple one? It goes with your eyes. And isn’t that your father’s favorite color?”
Aliva smiled delightedly. “Yes! You’ve obviously heard about him.”
“I have,” she replied as Aliva took the dress out and began squeezing into it. “You said he would be coming to visit you this Summer. I would like to meet him.”
“He will be coming to the Witch’s City,” said Aliva as Audrey helped her to fasten the back of her dress. “I will need to be back there by Summer, but I think I may stay here a little while longer. I’m still worried about Ariel, especially after what happened in Glasston.”
“I am too. Siljan said that she went berserk when she saw undead there.”
Aliva started looking through the jewelry she had purchased in Glasston while Audrey went over to the other wardrobe and changed into her new dress. Aliva helped her fasten the back, and then stepped back and said, “You look lovely, Audrey.”
“Is it supposed to feel like the dress is molesting me?” she asked while pointing at her chest.
Aliva laughed and smiled broadly. “Yes. That’s how it is able to make your breasts look larger than they are and still hold them securely.”
Audrey really did want to learn more about how the dress worked. “Which is something you clearly have no need of,” she commented with a smirk.
“That’s true.”
Audrey unwrapped her necklace and put it on, finding it went well with her dress. Aliva had donned a gold necklace with a single large violet gem that matched her eye color almost exactly.
“Aliva, I think that dresses like this—Siljan calls them demon dresses—would sell really well in the Witch’s City. And probably in Rohoville too. Have you thought about selling them?”
Aliva frowned in thought. “No, but that’s not a bad idea. I’m going to need money to live in the Witch’s City, and I also want to do charitable work.”
“I’m moving out of the mansion when we get back, and I’ve got money issues too. I thought maybe we could try starting a business selling dresses. I also know someone who runs a dress shop in Rohoville, and she’s a good seamstress.”
Aliva broke into a happy smile. “That sounds like fun. We can look into it after I move back.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to my friend and start looking into it.”
That really could solve her money problems, and she would be doing something that she enjoyed.
♦ ♦ ♦
“Recovery!”
Audrey opened her eyes as the incredible pain in her skull began to fade. Aliva was bending over her bed from the side, with both her hands on top of Audrey’s head. She closed her eyes and said, “Thank you, Aliva, but please put something on.”
“Oh. Sorry. I’m not used to sharing a room with someone.”
Aliva removed her hands, and Audrey heard her walk over and open her wardrobe. She realized that she wasn’t wearing anything under the blanket and wondered who had undressed her. Last night’s party was a dim blur. Even with her hangover cured, she still felt ill, so she remained in bed.
She looked over as Aliva walked up wearing boots, pants, and a loose shirt. “What was that wine we had last night?” she asked her. “I only had two drinks.” The wine had been a lighter color too.
“It’s been distilled,” explained Aliva. “It has more alcohol in it.”
“I wish I had known that. I still feel awful.”
Aliva looked sympathetic. “I don’t feel great myself. It hit a lot of people really hard. People were passing out and getting sick. Gabriel and I ended up carrying several people back to their rooms, including you.” She frowned in thought. “There may have actually been something wrong with that wine. I’m going to get something to eat and then see if they need help cleaning up. Do you want me to bring you anything?”
Food was the last thing Audrey wanted. “No thank you. I’m just going to stay in bed for a while.”
“All right. I’ll check on you later,” said Aliva and then left the room.
Audrey tried to remember just what had happened at the party last night. Some of it was starting to come back to her. The front of the temple had been decorated with bright blue cloth panels hanging from the ceiling. Someone had even draped one over the shoulders of the statue of Kyran. There were tables piled with food and a plentiful supply of the new wine. Alessandra was already noticeably drunk when Audrey and Aliva arrived. Audrey remembered speaking with Saxloc and Grasapa and Ariel, but not what they had talked about. Everyone was eating and drinking and talking. Soon it seemed like everyone was at least a little drunk.
Alessandra had been the first one to actually pass out. Audrey remembered Siljan looking sick and running out the front doors. Hankin was sitting dazed in a corner. She and Saxloc had been holding each other up. After that it was blank; she must have passed out.
Audrey laid in bed until she started feeling better, and then got up and dressed. After using the washroom, she went into the dining area. No one was at the tables, but platters of bread, cheese, and fruit were sitting out, as well as a jug of apple juice and several cups. She poured herself some juice and cut a small wedge of cheese. They tasted good to her and seemed to be going down well, and she quickly consumed them.
She heard voices from the kitchen and found Alessandra and Siljan there busy cooking. It looked and smelled like they were making potato soup. Siljan grinned at her and exclaimed, “Look, Alessandra! Another survivor.”
“How are you feeling, Audrey?” asked Alessandra, looking embarrassed.
“Okay. Aliva cured my hangover.”
“Good. I am sorry about that wine. When we first made it, it was perfectly fine, but it does not seem to have aged well. I told Gustav to dispose of the rest of it. So much for our celebration party.”
“Why don’t we have another one tonight?” suggested Siljan.
“I think not. People are going to need some time to recover. Get back to work making that flatbread.”
Siljan scowled and headed toward the pantry. “Is there anything I can do?” Audrey asked.
Alessandra thought a moment. “Yes. Get out a large bowl and make a fruit salad. You can use some of the fruit that’s already out.”
“Okay. I’ll get right on it.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Audrey went for a walk around the vineyards after lunch. Saxloc and several others were in much worse shape, and he went right back to bed after eating. She realized that passing out early had actually spared her to some extent.
When she returned to the temple, she could hear voices coming from the front hall. She went to take a look and saw that there was a large blue blanket spread on the floor in front of the statue of Kyran. Alessandra and Isadora were kneeling next to it, and they were trying to reconstruct the skeleton that they had brought back. Audrey was fascinated, and she quietly entered and seated herself on the pew. Alessandra looked up and smiled at her before returning to her task.
After about half an hour, they finally finished and both stood. “This is definitely a female skeleton,” stated Alessandra. “The height and build look correct, but there is no way to be certain.”
“I agree,” replied Isadora. “I am willing to take it to the Witch’s City to see if they will perform a resurrection. If it is Bianca, then we have to bring her back.”
“And if it turns out to be someone else? Someone evil?”
Isadora’s expression hardened. “I will make certain that we have enough force available to kill them. I will do it myself if necessary.”
“Let me think about it. There is no need to rush. It is not going to matter if she stays dead for a few more months.”
“Very well. I will see that the bones are properly stored.” Isadora walked out of the room.
Alessandra began to leave and Audrey quickly asked, “You’re planning to ask Preston to use t
he LifeStaff aren’t you?”
“That is correct, Audrey. It is the only way. There has not been a cleric powerful enough to do it for centuries, at least that I know of.”
“We could take the bones back with us when we go. Most of us live in the Witch’s City.”
“I appreciate the offer, but this is a serious matter. It is not just a question of can we bring Bianca back, it is should we bring her back. Bianca was a good friend and I must be certain that we are doing the right thing.”
“I see. Well, I hope this is Bianca and you’re able to get her back.”
Alessandra smiled beautifully. “Thank you, Audrey.”
♦ ♦ ♦
“Where are we going? A picnic?”
Audrey smiled at Saxloc as the two of them walked through the hills to the west of the temple. “Yes, but it won’t be like our last one.”
He threw back his head and laughed. He was feeling much better than he had earlier and was in a good mood. “I suppose not. But I wouldn’t mind re-enacting part of it.”
She shook her head. “This is serious, Saxloc. There are some things we need to discuss.”
“Sorry,” he replied as he adopted a serious expression.
They walked a few more minutes before arriving at a lightly-wooded hilltop that overlooked the Valena River. Audrey thought the view was lovely. She spread out a cloth and placed the food in the middle of it. The two of them sat and ate while watching the colorful birds and butterflies that seemed to be common in the area.
When they had both finished eating, he turned to her and asked, “What do you want to talk about?”
She had trouble getting the words out. “Saxloc, it’s fine that we are together now, but I think that ultimately you should marry a half-elf.”
“What brought this on?” he asked.
She couldn’t meet his gaze. “It’s actually been concerning me ever since I learned the differences in our lifespans. You’re going to live much longer than I am. If we have children, they’ll be human and you might outlive them too.”
“I don’t want that to be a factor in deciding our relationship,” he insisted. “If we love each other and decide to marry, then that is enough. We will deal with the consequences together.”
She was surprised and touched by his reply. “Okay, but it still bothers me. I want to think about it some more.”
“That’s fine, Audrey. Take your time.”
She snuggled up against him and he placed an arm around her. “Let’s just sit and watch the sunset,” she suggested.
He nodded. “That sounds nice.”
It was a lovely sunset, but she was still troubled.
♦ ♦ ♦
The next day, Audrey made certain to use the bath in the morning because it was going to be her last chance before they left. Dulls and Grasapa had spoken with seemingly everyone about their daughter, and had announced at breakfast their decision that Ariel could remain at the temple. Ariel was overjoyed and ran off to tell Dayne. Alessandra promised that she would send them regular letters about Ariel. They then announced that they would head home the next day. Audrey, Saxloc, Gabriel, and Hankin decided that they would go along with them. They asked Aliva if she wanted to go too, but after much indecision, she decided to remain at the temple.
Audrey found that Siljan was already in the bath. As she undressed, she said, “I envy you, Siljan. You get to use this bath all of the time.”
Siljan grinned and patted the edge. “This is my absolute favorite thing here. I try to use it every day.”
Audrey climbed up and lowered herself in. She completely submerged, and then floated for a while with her eyes closed. It was soothing, but there was something she needed to ask.
“Siljan, I know that this temple sends clerics to Fisherton, Glasston, and Millton, but no one ever came to Farmerton the whole time I grew up there. That’s why I was so amazed when I woke up with my leg healed.”
“I can hear that you’re angry, Audrey, but this temple had been abandoned for decades when Alessandra first came here. It took years of hard work to restore it. They had only just begun sending out emissaries to the towns when Morton struck. After that it was only Alessandra and Isadora, and they needed to constantly guard against another attack by Morton. That’s why they were so anxious to recruit me.”
“I didn’t know that,” said Audrey. “That explains it.”
Siljan continued, “But as I’m sure you know, Alessandra went to Farmerton not long ago to check your friend there. She wants to start sending people regularly to Farmerton, Merryton, and Maratana, but it’s going to be difficult. We really need more clerics here, but they’re hard to find. Hardly anyone around here even has the potential to use magic. And there aren’t any elves or half-elves. It’s weird.”
“Yes, that is strange.” Saxloc had been right about why people stared at him in Glasston.
After more silent soaking, she asked, “Siljan, are you interested in Hankin romantically? That’s something I’ve been wondering.”
Siljan sighed heavily. “I was after him at one time, but I kept teasing him and he really hates that. And I still keep doing it. It’s one of my many bad habits.”
Audrey laughed. “I have a lot of bad habits too.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Audrey spent the entire afternoon with Aliva trying to learn some new sewing techniques. As they worked together Aliva talked about her childhood, and it was utterly bizarre. She had grown up somewhere known as the Abyss, and Audrey couldn’t understand where it was located. The Abyss was filled with demons—it was where they came from according to Aliva. Things there were constantly changing: the color of the sky, the number of suns and moons, the landscape. Aliva had thought that normal while growing up with her succubus mother Wiva and human father Albert. But the oddest thing there was time. It flowed differently there, not just faster or slower, but varying in rate. She talked about going home to visit for a month, and returning to find that less than a day had passed. Aliva sounded glum as she continued speaking. Her mother was dead and her father exiled. She could never go home again.
After Aliva asked, Audrey reciprocated and told about growing up in Farmerton. Aliva was very interested and asked many questions. It occurred to Audrey that her childhood probably seemed as strange to Aliva as Aliva’s did to her. It also made her think about how much her life had changed. Less than a year after she had left home, she was in a Temple of Kyran taking sewing lessons from a half-demon that she had witnessed using a magic sword to slay an evil cleric. That certainly wasn’t something that she had ever anticipated happening.
♦ ♦ ♦
After dinner, Audrey asked Saxloc if he wanted to go for a walk. He declined, saying that he was too tired after all of his combat practice earlier that day. She went for a walk anyway and soon encountered Hankin.
“How is the skulking going?” she asked jokingly.
He cracked a smile. “Quite well. I am becoming an expert skulker.”
“Do you enjoy it, or is it just part of your job?”
“I would say both. It’s challenging at times, and I do have to report when I return. Although I will not report the picnic that you had with Saxloc yesterday.”
“You really do know everything that goes on, don’t you?” she asked with an amused smile.
“I certainly try. Have you and Saxloc been able to resolve things? You have certainly been talking a lot on this trip.”
“That’s true. We always seem to be able to talk while adventuring. As for our relationship, it’s too soon to say.”
“You’re still going to move back in with Kora when you return though, from what I hear.”
Hear from who? Hankin really did seem to know everything. “Yes, that’s my plan. I’ve stayed at the mansion more than long enough.”
“I see.”
“Do you have a girlfriend, Hankin?” She had been curious about that too.
He looked uncertain. “There is a woman I’m seeing, but she a
lso sees other men.”
That sounded familiar. “How do you feel about that?”
“I’m just not sure. Relationships are difficult.”
Audrey sighed and smiled at him. “Yes, they really are.”
44
‡ Honesty ‡
The six of them departed after breakfast, and Siljan barely got up in time to see them off. As they walked east, Audrey took advantage of the situation to speak with Grasapa. “I really wish I could have watched you fight all of those undead,” she told her. “Although I did get to see Aliva finish off Morton.”
“It would have been quite dangerous for you,” Grasapa stated seriously. “There were many creatures that should not be fought without some kind of a weapon. There were dark-colored skeletons that exploded when they died, damaging anyone near. There were skeletons that were actually on fire. There were even some undead that were radiating intense cold. Ariel nearly died fighting them. Siljan saved her, and I am very grateful.”
“I didn’t know that. I don’t think I would want to fight any of those things with my bare hands. Do you think that I should start learning to fight with a weapon? I mean, something bigger than a dagger?”
“It is definitely worth thinking about. I do not carry this quarterstaff to use as a walking stick, although it works for that as well. Give it some thought. There are a great variety of weapons to choose from. I prefer a quarterstaff because of its versatility.”
Grasapa demonstrated various ways to employ a quarterstaff as they walked along. Audrey was impressed, but she had really been thinking more along the lines of a sword since that was what all of the others had. She knew she wasn’t strong enough to use a big sword like Saxloc and Gabriel used, but a saber like Aliva used might be possible.
♦ ♦ ♦
After they turned south at Fog Lake, Audrey decided to have another private conversation with Saxloc, and the two of them took a trailing position well behind the others.
“I’m surprised you let me buy you that necklace,” he said as they walked.
“I would have bought something there myself,” she admitted, “but I didn’t have enough money. And you were apologizing for your lewd behavior.”
