Chapter Two-Hundred Ninety-Three

Chapter Two-Hundred Ninety-Three

Aranya

It will be good to get back home. Not only is she looking forward to getting back to what has come to feel like her proper place in the world, but being able to bring her people there as well makes all the difficulties of the last week worth it and more. It makes the difficulties of the past at large worth it as well, but the more recent trials are simply more fresh in her mind.

Despite her resolve when she delivered the ultimatum, she questioned the decision countless times over the ensuing days. The heart to heart with her grandfather tipped the balance to get the kobolds moving, but after being stuck in their situation for so long, getting moving is an arduous process.

Honestly, if she didn’t give the deadline, they would have found some other reason to drag their feet. But with her grandfather’s support, too many are going now for the reluctant to want to stay behind on their own. She received more than a few irate visitors the first day or two, but after that, everyone was simply too busy to waste time complaining to her in specific.

She’s been helping them pack what meager belongings they have, and get what food they can for the journey. She had expected food to be difficult to acquire, but if anything, there was more than they could reasonably carry! While the local industry is finally shifting away from mostly food production, the people of Silvervein are still very accomplished in it, and leapt at the chance to provide some kind of aid to the kobolds they ignored for so long.

She’d be more bitter about it if the food weren’t so good.

And so now, she looks at the throng of kobolds and legion of Lord Thedeim’s denizens, standing beside Leo and Honey, along with her friends, as the few last-minute things are done. The Stag, Tarl, Kennith, and Serd are there to see them off, with the pale elf being the official representative of Silvervein in this.

Everyone can feel the subtle shift in the atmosphere that signals the time to go, where there really is nothing left to do but get moving, so Aranya approaches those who are staying and smiles at them.

“It looks like it’s time for us to get going.”

“My Lord should offer Lord Thedeim the trade as you all pass through. He has a bear and a fox ready for you, and is eager to see more of the odd forest you’re cultivating.”

Honey buzzes and Leo gives a wolfy grunt in reply, to which the Stag nods. “I’ll be returning to my Lord soon, but not quite yet. Tarl has asked that I help guide Vanta directly for a little while longer. The Bear is doing... well enough in his duties that I should be able to stay here for a few more days, and I enjoy helping the young one. Give your lord my and my Lord’s regards.”

His piece said, Tarl steps forward and hands Aranya a leather bound ledger. “This should be everything the guild needs to establish a branch here. The Southwood was already a long trip, but Silvervein and Vanta are way too far away for me to properly inspect regularly. They might even move Southwood to the jurisdiction here.”

“Perhaps, but I hope you’ll still delve my Lord on occasion, Tarl. You always have the most interesting news to share,” comments the Stag.

Tarl snorts at that, the corners of his mouth hinting at a smile. “It’ll be nice to come do a more casual delve every so often. The official ones take so long with all your territory. But with Teemo’s shortcuts, it’ll be a lot easier to swing by for a respite from Thedeim’s nonsense.”

“Did you practice that?” asks Aelara, earning a laugh from the red kobold.

“No! If I did, it probably would have been a lot longer and a lot more boring.”

Yvonne nods sagely at that. “Indeed. Practicing speeches is a good way to stumble down the path to becoming a noble.”

Ragnar shudders at that, only exaggerating his disdain for politicians slightly. “Yer already walkin’ a narrow road wi’ bein’ a High Priestess.”

Aelara shrugs before Aranya can respond. “You met Kennith and he’s fine. And that paladin from the Shield. Most of the shield people are pretty good.”

“S’a fair point,” concedes Ragnar.

“I intend to keep things as casual as possible, at least as long as I’m the High Priestess. He’s not big on ceremony, and after having seen Kennith channeling Order and talking with him about their hierarchy, I’m confident in keeping at least empty pomp to a minimum.”

“I think you’re doing a good job so far,” compliments Yvonne with the smiling agreement of Ragnar and Aelara. They let her writhe under the praise for a few moments before Ragnar changes the subject.

“So, where’re they gonna go?”

“I think most of them are hoping to settle with the ratkin. Some want to join with the spiderkin enclave, or Fourdock proper, but the majority favor the ratkin.”

“How did they make such a good impression on the kobolds?” asks Yvonne.

“I think it’s more that the spiderkin can look a bit intimidating if you’re not used to them, especially the large tarantulakin.”

“Aye. ‘ave y’ seen Folarn’s Axe? I bet it’s ‘eavier ‘n me!” They laugh and chat as they walk, settling in to debate which enclave they would join if they had the need. Ragnar and Aelara prefer the ratkin, while Yvonne would join the spiderkin. Aranya can’t bring herself to choose, and the conversation wanders as the day marches on.

The first break is called later than Aranya had intended, thanks to the happy distraction of talking with her friends.