Chapter Two Hundred and Eighteen - Inquiring Mind Wants to Know

Chapter Two Hundred and Eighteen - Inquiring Mind Wants to Know

Chapter Two Hundred and Eighteen - Inquiring Mind Wants to Know

Once the last of the Colourless was down and fading into little motes of--was it mana?--we took a moment to look around us and make sure that we were safe.

Well, I did that. Emmanuel stretched his shoulder and started trotting towards the other Colourless in the room.

Hey! I said out loud. Then, when he didnt even slow down, I called out, a bit louder. Emmanuel, what are you doing?

The cervid stopped and half-turned. He gestured to the other Colourless, as if it was entirely obvious. Im going to fight those? he said.

Why? I asked.

Because... theyre monsters? He tried. I think he noticed how that didnt work very well on me. It would be irresponsible for a knight like myself to allow such fair maidens to come to danger because I left some beast alive when I could so easily dispatch it.

I put my hands on my hips, and noticed that Amaryllis looked just as unimpressed as I felt. Mister Emmanuel, I began.

Emmanuel Aldelain Von Chadsbourne.

Yes, I said. We might be fair, and we might all be maidens, but that doesnt mean were defenceless.

Well, yes, I suppose, he said. How about we split them, then? Ill take the largest and strongest, and you ladies fight the smallest and weakest. Sirs Howard and... the sylph can take care of some of the others while Im otherwise preoccupied.

I shook my head. No.

No?

No, I said.

I see... the experience--

I shook my head even harder. No, Emmanuel, its not about the experience. Its about doing the right thing. I gestured to the Colourless. The tentacled creatures were ambling about, moving with slow, gentle motions around the room. Sometimes theyd pick up a small rock or pebble, inspect it, then lower it back down. There were dozens of little piles dotting the room. Id failed to notice those earlier.

The right thing? Emmanuel asked. Putting down monsters is hardly the wrong thing.

It is when those monsters arent bad, I said. Look, those Colourless arent hurting anyone and... oh, nevermind.

I was still a bit grumpy, and I was maybe taking it out on Emmanuel. He might have been a bit of a pain in the butt, but it wasnt fair to take out my own anger on him. I had to chill out.

Awen came up next to me and pulled me into a quick hug. That helped a bunch.

Just... dont fight people when you dont need to, I said.

Emmanuel hesitated, then sheathed his sword. If the lady wishes.

You still havent learned our names, have you? Amaryllis asked.

I am reluctant to admit it, but I am somewhat poor at retaining names. But worry not, fair harpy, I will forever remember the beauty of your eyes, and yes, the ferocity of your glare.

I held back a giggle. Amaryllis had a look that I wouldnt describe as merely a glare. If I was Emmanuel, I would be worried. But then, if I was Emmanuel, Amaryllis probably wouldnt have to glare as much.

Howard, you know the way into the castle? I asked to get us back on track.

Howard agreed to lead us in. We followed, of course, eyes on a swivel, searching for trouble. Howard didnt seem concerned though.

I dont know what I expected the interior to look like, but it wasnt what I found.

Neat corridors, with straight-cut walls and holes where windows would be. Here and there, rocks were stacked up one atop the other, carefully balanced and held up by seemingly nothing but their own weight.

They were where I might have expected potted plants or statues to be in a proper mansion.

It only took a bit of walking around for Howard to bring us to a big room. A dining room? Carved arches lead way, way up to a high ceiling. Hanging down on a chain was a strangely shaped rock, covered in glowing mushrooms and trailing long streams of luminous moss. A chandelier, maybe?

In the centre was a table, curved around like a big crescent moon, with cups before all six of the chairs on the outside arc.

Bastion didnt hesitate. I do.

How wonderful. Oh, everyone, dont be shy with the tea. It isnt poisoned. By the way, Sir Paladin, would you betray your nation for your companions?

Bastion was silent for a long time. I... he began, then paused again.

I didnt want to pressure him, so I stayed quiet and fiddled with the tea cup before me. It was made of delicately shaped rock, and was nice and warm.

Black tea, makes the drinker more alert and anxious, and has a mild bone-fortifying effect. Brewed plainly.

Bastion swallowed. I would, he said.

Oh no. I knew how important Bastion took his whole paladin thing, and if he was willing to abandon that for his companions... for us... well, Id have to do something nice for him. He still seemed conflicted.

My heart felt strangely heavy. It was a really nice gesture.

Thats nice, Jim replied. Little human miss?

Awen stared back, wide-eyed and with her cup hovering just before her mouth. Yes?

Are you enjoying the tea?

Awen looked down, then back up. She took a small sip. Um... honestly? Its good tea. I had worse tea at nice parties and balls. But its not the best tea Ive ever had. So... its enjoyable, but it could taste a little better? Maybe some honey?

It hurts my many hearts to hear that, but the truth can be unkind, Jim said. And no, I dont have honey. Ill make note of it, though!

I held back a laugh. Was Jim trying to lighten things up? After asking such a serious question, he came in with one that was easy to answer? It was nice of him.

Miss Harpy, Jim began.

Yes? Amaryllis replied.

Is there anyone you love?

Romantically? No, Amaryllis said.

Jim hummed. A partial answer, but truthful. A tentacle wrapped around a cup and he pitched the cup itself back down a mouth that only appeared when he moved some tentacles aside. What about non-romantic love?

I turned towards Amaryllis, then stared as her feathers puffed out, almost as if she was angry, but her face was the wrong sort of red for that. I love my sisters, of course. Theyre both quite annoying, and in entirely unique ways, but I love them all the same. My parents too, though... they are distant.

I see, I see, Jim said encouragingly.

And... I suppose I love my friends as well, Amaryllis said. E-entirely in a platonic way, of course.

I squealed and crashed into her from the side.

No! No! I knew this would happen! Get off me, or I swear on the World Ill zap you.

But you love me!

Id love it if you werent such an idiot, more like!

I shook my head, coincidentally rubbing up against her floofed feathers. Nope! You had to say the truth. Your feathers even fluffed.

Because I knew youd ram into me like some drunkard!

Jim chuckled. How nice. How about you, Sir Cervid, any friends that are that close?

No, no, Im afraid not, Emmanuel admitted. I may have had some close friends once, but that was a long time ago.

It was, wasnt it, Jim said. Why did you kill them?

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