Chapter 347 - Purpose of Jarrit's Visit

"Did you check the library?" Karos asked, answering for Keldon. When Jarrit nodded, Karos added, "Then I would visit the gorilla clan. He's an inducted member of the clan, so that's where he lives."

"Good. I'll head out now." The aged yet energetic man jovially drank the dribble of wine and glass of water, smacking his lips in satisfaction. "Oh, and I never caught your name."

"I'm so sorry! My name is Karos! Please forgive me for--"

"Calm down. That's what happens when I join a conversation without invitation. Mine is Jarrit. I'll be sure to remember you for my occasional visits to Iron Town."

"Thank you, Master Jarrit." Karos offered a full bow to the man, not hesitating in the slightest. 

Though Jarrit tried to get the lynx to rise, Keldon's laughter didn't help. "See? No matter how hard you try, you can't help but lecture people. It's no wonder you're such a great professor."

"Please, not now, Keldon." 

The merchant shrugged, asking, "So, anything I should know about?"

Jarrit stored the bottles, glass, and mug. "As I'm sure Nixt explained, Rhyner has finally claimed a region of his own. This region."

"Really?" 

Noticing that Karos had been left out of the loop, Jarrit pet the lynx's head. "Yes, but don't announce it yet. We'll do that within the next sun. As for now, I'll be off to see Vloz. Thank you, Keldon. And I wish you luck in your cultivation, Karos."

"Thank you!" 

But as Karos offered a final, quick bow out of habit, he looked back up to spot a small flash of purple energy. It faded instantaneously and left no trace of the man that once stood there, baffling the young cultivator undoubtedly.

Another flash of purple energy appeared outside the center of town, just south of the recently developed buildings. Jarrit appeared there and took a moment to appreciate the architecture that wasn't commonly found in bestial territories. But he soon continued southbound, heading toward the distant walls of the gorilla residence. 

Strolling past a few dozen homes was a pleasant sight for the mage. However, he was surprised to sense that hardly any of the buildings were occupied at the moment. 

But that didn't stop him from approaching the largest, two-story home at the rear of the residence. Jarrit offered a friendly knock. 

"Yes? Who is it?"

Recognizing the voice, Jarrit grinned. "It's Jarrit."

"Oh! What timing." A moment passed before the door opened slowly and a huge yet friendly leopard bowed his head. "Please, come in."

Sniffing deeply, a wave of comfort washed over Jarrit. "This… Am I interrupting your meal?"

"No, come on in! You're welcome to join us. I'm Ania, by the way."

"Oh, you're…" Jarrit suddenly paused, catching his tongue before he said something he wasn't sure was permitted. But then he noticed a silencing barrier expanded from the lowered table in front of Vloz's seat.

"I'm Oli's mother," Ania clarified, "and we'll be talking more about him after the food is ready. This is Puula, Netra's mother."

"It's a p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to finally meet you!" Looking away from one of the cooking fires, Puula hastily nodded and returned to focus on the task in front of her.

Nodding in thought, Jarrit asked, "Netra, the genius with perfect dark affinity?"

"The same," Vloz answered.

"Then the p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e is all mine, Puula."

"Please, there's no need to honor me. Netra's the genius and she did it without me…"

"Nonsense. It takes instilling brilliance and a proper mindset wince youth to accomplish what she's done. And that's thanks to you," stated Jarrit, making sure to give Puula her credit.

While Ania nodded and helped Puula prepare the meal, Vloz agreed, "True. Netra's her own person, but she's still trying her best to live a life you approve of, Puula.

"Thank you…" Puula softly replied, barely loud enough for Ania to hear and elbow her in silent encouragement. 

Vloz continued, "So, what brings you today? You don't seem ready for a ceremonial announcement."

"That's correct. We'll handle the announcement within the sun. For now, I came to hear what's happened recently in the territory and hear the report on their growth." Sitting back into one of the low cushions around the table, Jarrit made himself comfortable. "Based on the atmosphere of the town, I assume you've already handled any difficulties that resulted from us claiming the region."

"Correct. But it wasn't the easiest thing, I'm glad Nixt was there. Without his help, I'm not sure if we could've pulled it off."

"By the way, where's Rathe?" asked Jarrit, glancing about the lounging area and kitchen space. "I doubt such a fun-loving man would miss out on a meal as aromatic as this."

"That… We were hoping to speak with you as soon as possible, and here you are. Follow me."

As the leopard stood back up, so did Jarrit. They comfortably walked down the spacious hall and stopped at the second door on the left. It was only after Vloz opened the door that Jarrit caught onto the peculiar mood Vloz showed.

"This… What's this?" Jarrit quickly scanned over the formation drawn on the ground, shaking his head. "It's only a silencing barrier? Why?"

Sighing, Vloz nudged Jarrit forward with his tail, softly pushing Jarrit into the edge of the barrier.

A flurry of harsh snorts and guttural groans assaulted Jarrit's ears the moment he entered the barrier. It was jarring for the old mage, leaving him even more confused.

Jarrit quickly stepped back out of the barrier and looked to Vloz. "So, what exactly happened? He can hear us and smell the meal, yet he's slumbering well into the late afternoon. And his spirit feels strange as well."

Motioning for Jarrit to exit the room completely, Vloz replied, "I'll explain, but it's only for your ears and Rhyner's."