Chapter Seventy: New Home
When the ship had anchored at the dock, my family, Captain Caulk, and the Duckfolk commander I captured disembarked while the Mengoire set a course for the shipyard for repairs. The rest of the crew would escort the prisoners to the prison until someone decided their fate.
Mom and the others broke off from us to head to her mother’s shop—a store called Asura’s Domain—in the carriage prepared ahead of time. It was already waiting in front of the building. I followed the captain with the Duckfolk and Tris through an escape path built into the rear of the building. After going through a series of tight corridors, winding twists and turns, and climbing up very steep steps, we emerged into a hidden backroom filled with non-perishables.
Captain Caulk walked to a nearby bookshelf, removed a book, and peered through a peephole. I was close enough to have indexed this whole building, so I saw that the next-door room was built like an office. There was just one soul in there. Captain Caulk performed a series of knocks before pushing the bookshelf like a door. We followed.
“I presume you have answers to the burning mysteries surrounding Ria, Captain Caulk?” asked a portly woman. Her dark green hair had light green, emerald-like highlights, which matched her grassy-colored eyeliner and verdant nails. She sat behind a grand desk filled with documents, forms, and request notices, amongst other diplomatic necessities, as she penned a letter. The green curtains over the two large windows behind her almost camouflaged the incoming light to shine a green glow on her.
This was Gretchen Plymoise, the ruling lady of Plymoise, one of Parthina’s seven city-states.
“Hmm? A prisoner?” Gretchen glanced her eyes upward. “A High Elf?!”
“Things have escalated, Lady Plymoise. This is Lyudmila Springfield. The woman standing beside her is Tris. They have first-hand accounts and experienced the Ria disaster for themselves,” replied Captain Caulk. “The fool in the restraints is from Atrix—specifically, the commander of one of their vessels. They ambushed us during our return trip. The rest of the prisoners are on the Mengoire, and my men will escort them to the prison when they arrive at the shipyard for needed repairs.”
The woman slammed both hands on the desk and stood up. Gretchen's eyes went wide like a wild beast. She fell back to her chair and sighed deeply. “One thing at a time. Just one thing at a time... Lyudmila Springfield, time is of the essence, so please tell me what transpired as briskly as possible.”
I nodded, and I told her...but then an idea came to my mind. “During our daring escape, before that tremendous ball of flames was conjured overhead, spirit birds flew and repeated a grave message. If they’re to be believed, then the Bellerophon soldiers stationed at Ria were willing to risk killing a High Elf from Vredi Forest. Even worse, the birds claimed a wizard named Flaf intended to use gas to ensure the secret never escaped.”
“What?!” exclaimed the captain and Gretchen. Even the captor commander gasped the best he could against his gag and black bag covering his face. I told the captain I didn’t tell him this on the ship because this was grave information, especially since it concerned a High Elf.
“It is the truth. My ears are sharper than the rest of my kin. I didn’t sense a hint of falsehoods in those spirits' proclamations. But alas, I do not know what specifically caused that attack. I also don't know what set the clouds on fire. I imagine it was the chimera Bellerophon was hunting. If they steeped to even those gross misdeeds... I only fear the chimera was powerful and frightening.” I then told her of our meeting with the pirates, how they ‘killed’ our ‘friend’ Rickard, and Captain Caulk’s offer to escort us here.
The captain took over and explained the battle with the three Atrix battleships. It was an ambush, to be more specific, and he said they used a spell to conjure a thick fog to hide their vessels before it was to strike with the element of surprise. Gretchen couldn’t help but ask how one Craine-class ship survived against three Concordian-class battleships, and that was when I explained Surtr. She wanted to meet the lion, so I let her. She thanked him when it appeared, and to her credit, she didn’t gasp or flinch after seeing its monstrous size. If anything, she professed her thanks, Surtr gave a deep nod and returned to its home. Gretchen also asked about Tris since she was quiet and stood by my side with her hands across her stomach—almost like a maid or servant in waiting— but I said she was my advisor. I trusted her council above all else.
Which wasn’t a lie. I looked to my Fragment of Wisdom for advice and assistance daily.
“Captain Caulk has a necklace I recovered.” He pulled a pouch from his pocket and gave it to Gretchen. She joyfully looked at it before turning her attention to the obvious.
“It seems there are problems in every direction I look, and now there’s the matter of the mysterious voice from the sky... Ahh—I apologize, Lord Springfield. Plymoise’s concerns aren’t your own, and you’ve done more than enough to protect our people while escaping from Ria with valuable insight. You deserve a reward. If it is in my power, you will have it.”
“... If I may be so greedy, I have...a few things I’d like to ask for,” I said. If it was possible, I asked for our ship to be repaired. Gretchen nodded and said that would happen. And when I inquired if her workers could deliver our cargo for us, she even said she would waive the fees and taxes.
“Is there anything else?” she asked.
“No, that was it. That wasn’t too much, was it?”
“Not at all. Lord Springfield, you have my utmost thanks for your service,” Gretchen stood and extended a thick hand. I shook it. “However, do you require a place to stay? Have you any lodgings?”
“Yes, we do. My mother is visiting her family’s shop and childhood home. I’m meeting up with them later.”
“I see. Well, I shall not keep you any longer. Once again, let me thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you don’t mind, could you come by later to complete the paperwork? I need to know where to send the money once the goods are delivered.”
I told her I didn’t mind. I would probably return in about four or five hours to get a better lay of the land since we would stay here for quite some time. I said my goodbyes to Gretchen and the captain, taunted the captive commander, and walked to the waiting room. The young receptionist—a human— didn’t expect to see me, but she quickly understood the situation after I dropped Captain Caulk’s name. She wished Tris and me a good day, and together, we descended the stairs and left through the primary lobby, which was in a state of almost comical chaos.
“Where to now, my lord?” Tris asked when we were outside.
“Gotta find mom and dad.”
“There is no need because I see them,” Tris replied.
“Huh?” I looked to where she was pointing and saw my family stepping out of a wagon.
I ran over and asked what was wrong.
“Mila... Grandma’s store isn’t here,” Irisa said, wiping her teary eyes. Mom used a handkerchief to brush away her watery cheeks. “And neither is the house they lived in. We talked to the neighbors, but they said they packed everything up, sold the land, and moved to a different city-state. But they didn’t say which one. And they didn’t leave a forwarding address. We...don’t have anywhere to go...”
Irisa hugged her mom and cried into her arms. Erin was bordering on tears as well. Dad asked about my report, and I told him. “The money is a start until we decide on what to do.”
“We could do that...or we can save it. Stay right here. I’ll be back.”
“Hey—Mila?! Where are you going?” Irisa asked.
“Getting us a place to stay,” I simply replied. I walked back through the ministry building until I was at the door to Gretchen’s office. Knocking on the door, I announced it was me, and Captain Caulk unlocked and opened it thirty seconds later.
Really, upon first observation, even the air was dustier than the freshness in Ria.
“Hmm? Lady Plymoise didn’t mention we would be receiving any visitors,” said a portly green mustached butler with a healthy belly. He approached with a curious look. Gerrea handed him the message Gretchen wrote. “I see... Lord Springfield?”
“Yes?” I replied, walking to join the rest of my family.
“On behalf of the manager of the Waterdale Inn, I welcome you. It says here you’re to stay for two months?” I nodded. “Lovely. If you’ll follow me, I’ll escort you all to your rooms.”
Mom wanted to thank the man. Her pretty, gentle face was back to normal instead of being bombarded by sadness. Dad and Erin probably helped her emotionally.
“My name is Delouise Waterdale, ma’am,” replied the manager. He didn't say it, but the butler was internally questioning the wounds on Dad and the others. I told Gretchen I only escaped damage from that massive spell because Surtr protected me with its body. “My ancestors founded the Waterdale Inn before Plymoise was even a city-state of Parthina.”
We followed the manager into the building and emerged into the lobby, where there was a line of six butlers on the left and six maids on the right, all of whom bowed and greeted us. Delouise kept walking and escorted us to the stairs in the far back, explaining that the hallways to our left and right on the ground floor led to additional rooms and a hot spring.
“Hot springs?”
“Yes, that’s correct. The Waterdale Inn uses geothermal heat to warm our waters. The hot spring downstairs is divided into halves, with a stone wall separating the two. One is for men, and the other is for women. Ah, you should know that your rooms will have an outside bath.”
“We have our own?” Irisa asked.
“That’s correct. You'll also have a bell that connects to the lobby. Ring it if you require anything,” Delouise explained when we came to the second floor. He asked how many rooms we would need, and I said five.
One for mom and dad.
One for Irisa.
One for Erin.
One for Niva and Primrose.
And one for myself and Tris. But honestly, Irisa would probably sleep in my room, but it was best to have that one extra in case. Lei would probably sleep with Erin or Niva.
“Understood. You all must be exhausted, so please take a chance to rest. If you decide to take a bath, we have robes in the closet for you to wear. Lady Plymoise has also authorized us to purchase any necessities you may need, so if you desire clothing or anything of the sort, please do not hesitate to ask. We will come and get you when dinner is prepared. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Thank you, Mr. Waterdale,” replied Dad. He shook the manager’s hand, and after a professional nod, Delouise walked downstairs.
And we were alone.
Dad said it wasn’t a bad idea to get clean and rest. The past nine days or so were exhaustive for everyone except me. I didn’t know how they were even able to move, if I was being honest. Living on a military ship with very little food took a toll on them. They didn’t admit it, but I saw it in their mannerisms and tone of voice. Irisa and Erin yawned, proving Dad’s point, and we all agreed to get some sleep before meeting up for dinner.
And after that, they would probably hit the hay early to recuperate.
Not me, though.
I had plans.
“I guess I’ll see you a little bit, Mila,” Irisa said, giving me a hug. I kissed her lips and rubbed her back, and she entered her room. Mom and Dad left a few moments ago, and I walked to Erin and rubbed her head. The poor girl was about to start crying, but she wiped her eyes, hugged Lei, and tried to give me a big smile before heading inside.
She was my sister. When I had time, I needed to spend some time with her. Erin's life had changed dramatically in the past month alone.
“Mistress?” I went to Niva and hugged her. Primrose emerged from her crystal and watched.
“Go and get some rest, okay? You'll start training [Mana Perception] tomorrow. Prim, be sure to help her.”
“Are we going somewhere?” asked Niva.
“Yes, but not now. We have two months.”
“Two months? Do you have a plan?” asked the spirit.
I looked at Primrose and nodded. “I’m still working out the exact details, but that skirmish with Atrix might delay us. It just depends on how it plays out.”
“Understood,” replied Primrose. Niva used her staff from her spirit to walk by herself. Prim turned around and looked into my eyes. “I’ll put my trust in you, Lord Springfield. I'll follow your decisions.” As quickly as she said that, Primrose blushed, turned her head, and closed the door.