Chapter 104 - A Nice Little Bow

A few days, and more than a few hangovers had passed since the end of our little adventure. It was kind of amusing to me that so much trouble had sprung up due to a little jaunt to a greenhouse, which ended in a giant explosion in a sewer, and so much political chaos.

While much of the incident had been swept under the rug, much of it being explained away in the fashion Farina had told me about, there were still lingering effects in the city. Some parts of the town had gotten damaged in the fighting that had broken out between the knights, mages, controlled citizens, and those few who could resist the dryad pollen and tried to retake the city.

More than a few buildings had burned down or otherwise been destroyed. Quite a few of my favorite pubs and shops, in fact, which I was a bit upset about. Atelier Du Maiden, the maid café I sometimes worked with, survived, but not undamaged, so it would be closed for repairs for probably the rest of the summer.

I did enjoy working there, but I needed a break from everything, and that included serving drinks in a short skirt. Alas, the world must be denied my beautiful legs a bit longer.

I did feel bad for the other girls working there, but the manager was a kind woman and was paying them anyway. I had told her she could split my pay up amongst the others. I was working there more as a change of pace these days than for money after all, so it just felt like the right thing to do.

A thought that amused me more than anything. Me? Alta Alba Marchesi, willingly giving up money? Perish the thought, but here we are. I was going to be fine, chaos and destruction aside. Those girls needed it more than I did.

Reinforcements from the Alliance and the other nations and city-states poured in to help with reconstruction efforts, which delighted Manya, as her inn was busier than it had been in years.

Given that Eira and I had pretty much been excused from classes for the rest of the semester, we chipped in to help out.

After all, we had decided to take Manya up on her offer, and we were planning on taking her up on her offer, and living together in the Jeweled Bower.

"It's kind of a bummer to see you go, you know?" Cori said, leaning against the bunk as I packed the last few of my things.

"It's not like I'm totally gone. I'll still be in Revenstahd, and I'll still be going to classes. You all are my team, and I wouldn't have it any other way." I said, trying to find space to stuff my spare stockings.

"Yeah, but Myth isn't going to be in dungeons with us anymore. We're going to have to make a lot of adjustments." The sandy-haired human sighed.

"Oh, don't whine. I'll still be in the dorm. And you all get to benefit from my potion-making homework, for free, I might add!" Myth said over her shoulder, as she grumbled about needing bigger bags.

Smitty was likewise struggling to find places for her decidedly massive smut novel collection. How she even had stashed all that in here was a mystery for the ages.

At the end of the semester, for the duration of summer break, the dorms were cleared out, and everyone had to find either temporary housing or head home for the few months of the break.

"So what's everyone's plan for summer then?" I asked, trying to shift conversational directions.

"I've got to head home. I need to check on my little project, and some work undoubtedly needs to be done. With everspring and obsidian gauntlet orders on the run or in prison, the raids have eased up, thank all the gods above and below." Cori said as she stretched.

"Also heading home. I miss my family, and I want to tell them about everything. I've been pretty bad about sending letters back, and they're probably half convinced I'm dead or got hitched to someone and am hiding a secret grandchild." Myth laughed at the idea.

"Smitty miss pups. Smitty miss mate. Smitty miss cold of mountain. Will return, play, eat, sleep! Maybe make more pups, depends on mood." Smitty said with an amused tone, her tail wagging, which made packing even more difficult.

"What about you, pointy ears? I can't imagine you want to go home. Burgotova is probably still an iffy place to be for you right now." Cori put a hand on my shoulder.

"You're right about that. Um, well. I'm sticking around here, I think. Eira and I decided to finally shack up together at the Jeweled Bower. We're getting a real deal on rents, so we're going to go for it." Speaking the words made me blush a bit, which felt silly, but it felt good to actually say it out loud to my friends.

"Hey, congrats! Don't forget to invite us to the wedding!" Myth snickered at me, which I couldn't help but blush at.

"Oh, screw you. And of course, I will. I mean, if it gets to that point, you know." I nervously laughed, and I was sure I was blushing even brighter now.

"But hey, seriously. Good luck, and I guess I'll see you in autumn, yeah?" Cori reached out and hugged me, which I didn't expect from her. I returned the hug.

"You jerks, you're making me tear up!" Myth joined in the embrace, and in short order, Smitty had wrapped her furry arms around all of us. We just sat there for a really long moment.

Eventually, I decided I needed to breathe.

"Ok, you sappy weirdos, let me go. I got stuff to get done today and not nearly enough time to do it in." I pried myself free of their hold. I grabbed my bags and headed out the door, giving the room and my crew one final look.

"We'll see you around! Don't have too much fun smooching!" Cori called after me.

"Remember to hydrate! Use lubricant regularly!" Myth added.

"Bye, friend Alta!" Smitty waved vigorously.

I blushed at their words, not because of the saucy implications but because I think I was legitimately missing them.

"Take care, you bastards! Don't come back to school dead, you hear me!" I shouted at them, shaking my fist dramatically.

I left the dorm building, and the campus was full of similar playful goodbyes from various students and faculty. Revenstahd was going to be a quieter place for a while, that was to be sure.

As I hit the threshold of the school grounds, I turned to look at the unadorned, rather plain buildings that held the source of most of my misadventures this last year.

Dungeon School was a hell of a place, and I was looking forward to coming back just as much as I dreaded what the next year would bring. I love and hate Dungeon School, all things considered.

As I walked towards the Bower, where Eira was doubtless already unpacking, I spied two familiar faces loading up a carriage near one of the gates.

"So you two are finally getting out of here?" I called out to Noah and Adhara.

"Ah! Miss Marchesi! I was hoping to see you before we left." Noah held out his arms to me.

"I'm not hugging you, Noah," I said, coming to a stop just out of his reach.

"Of course, of course. But yes, we're due to head back to Middenveldt. Our special guests have already been taken to a special facility to spend the rest of their days with their fellow conspirators." He said, looking proud of himself.

"You might be interested to know that your parents have been remanded to said facility, too. It's not in any national territory, so the alliance itself is keeping an eye on them." Adhara added.

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I shrugged, trying my best to look uninterested. "I don't really give two halves of a damn what happens to them at this point. As long as they stay out of my life and don't cause anyone any more trouble."

"Well, the Alliance is going to be sure of that. At least they'd better." Adhara sneered before returning to her work.

"In any case, Miss Marchesi, Alta. I just wanted to thank you for all your assistance in this matter, and for playing along so dutifully. As such, I have a special gift for you." He smiled before reaching into a pouch.

"Oh, please don't. I don't want to be roped into anything else. I just want to relax this summer." I held up my hands.

In response, he turned my hand over, palm up, and placed something in it.

It was a little wooden charm on a leather cord. There were a few amber-looking beads. The charm itself was a stylized carving of a tree, and the carving itself was inset in some kind of green iridescent material.

"It's...wow, this is lovely, Noah. What is it, and why exactly are you giving this to me?" I looked at him suspiciously.

"It's not only a token of my appreciation, but it is a pass to allow access to the Root Dungeon at the base of the World Tree in Middenveldt." He explained. "Only those with a charm like this can enter, and this one has been enchanted only to work for you."

The Root Dungeon and access to it were part of the deal between the reformed Knights of Everspring and Revenstahd. This was a pretty big matter.

"And why me?" My suspicion was growing.

"I got a gut feeling, Marchesi, that one day you and your crew will do great things. The Root Dungeon has things that could help you, and it would be a great way to build experience. You, of course, aren't the only one allowed; that would be stupid. But when you're ready, you are welcome to enter." He said, with a flourish and a bow.

I wasn't entirely sure what to say, so I tucked it into one of my pouches for safekeeping.

"Thank you, I guess. I just hope this doesn't come around to bite me in the arse."

"Miss Marchesi, we are individuals in dangerous professions. We barely have an arse left to bite at this point." He said with a smile.

"Stop gabbing, Noah! We've got to get moving!" Adhara shouted at the knight.

"Right. Off I go then. Take care, be safe, don't die, and all of that!" He bowed again and turned to leave.

Adhara and I made eye contact. She simply nodded to me and entered the carriage. I took that as the closest thing to a compliment and a goodbye she would ever give me.

I waved as I watched the pair leave, and secretly hoped I would never see them again.

I continued on my path and decided to swing through the petals district on my way to check to see how things were going. Other than the school, the Petals district was almost like another home. Sure, it was a tawdry den of sin and debauchery, but the food was amazing, the guards kept it fairly safe, and I liked the energy there.

I took my time, looking at everyone hard at work, some of the girls of the district, and a few fellows too, were out in force serving drinks and food to workers whilst wearing various costumes that revealed more than was probably publicly acceptable, but was ignored for the time being.

"Oh, if it isn't the queen of the maids, come to deign us all with her presence! Wouldst her majesty care to sup upon noodles with this mere reprobate?" A all too familiar voice rang out, setting my teeth on edge instantly.

I, of course, turned to see Mariana, in casual clothes, eating noodles at Darg's cart. The smell, of course, was captivating, and I was feeling peckish, so why not?

"A good morning to you, too, Togalli. Was there something you needed, or was verbal abuse the only thing on your docket today?" I said, sitting down. Darg didn't even wait for my order before setting a bowl down in front of me. I took some coins from my pouch, and the goblin just shook his head and smiled.

I'm curious but not so curious that I wanted to risk my free noodles.

"Just wanted to catch up. Not that you care, or anything, but I wanted you to know that I won't be available over the summer break. So don't go getting into any more idiotic adventures while I'm gone. You might not want to admit it, but you need me to keep you and that rabble you call friends from dying." She smirked at me, a warmer smirk than she usually gave me.

"Oh nooooo, whatever shall I do? I shall have to refrain from adventures! The horror!" I drawled sarcastically, before slurping up some of the noodles. The broth was savory, salty, and greasy in the best way.

"Well, that's enough of the customary sass and rivalry, I think. In any case, I did want to let you know I won't be around. I've kind of run into a bit of an opportunity, and I'm going to take advantage of it." She punctuated the statement with a loud slurp.

"Oh? They make a summer school for being even more of a brat?" I snickered before shoveling more noodles into my mouth. Gods above and below, I love these noodles.

"Har har har. Very amusing. No, I met someone at the Church of the Sighing Rose, who has a very similar situation to mine. And it turns out there's more than one would think." She explained, before picking up the bowl and downing the broth with a satisfied sigh.

"For serious? The whole accidentally blessed by an unknown god because you got too good at roleplaying a sexy topless priestess? More people have dealt with that exact and utterly inexplicable scenario?" I cocked a skeptical eyebrow at her.

"Don't give me that look, you flame-haired ninny. Yes. It turns out which ever god keeps passing out this holy magic and blessings tends to favor people such as I, and the Sighing Rose is far from the only place in the Mortal Kingdoms that has such businesses. And we're all going to meet up and teach each other how to use our magic better." Mariana glowered at me before turning to become more acquainted with her beer.

"Are you telling me that you're going to some kind of Titty Priest Seminary? That is definitely not what I expected, yet at this point I should know better than to be surprised." I shrugged and gratefully took the beer Darg handed me.

We both swigged our drinks and sighed in delight in unison.

"The world is vast and strange, my beloved enemy." She held up her empty glass, which the goblin filled deftly.

"Vast and strange indeed, my greatest foe!" I did likewise.

We toasted each other and downed our second glass.

"Well, I need to finish packing and get going. I'm meeting the other priestesses who came along with the relief efforts, and we're going to be heading off to Tarkota for a while. There's a nice little location on the Godsea we'll be staying, and I could use some time away from the familiar, you know?" She said, standing up and stretching. I winced slightly, hearing so many of her joints popping.

"I understand. Well, Togalli...Mariana. I wish you success and luck! Be careful, though, don't get conned by a weird cult or anything." I likewise stood and adjusted my outfit.

"Of course. I'm Mariana Togalli, and I will be tricked by no scoundrel of low cunning! Ha! Ha ha! And dare I say, ha!" She puffed up proudly, before looking at me, and catching me in a big hug before I could react.

"Ok, what's all this then?" I said, deciding to accept and return the embrace.

"You're still the closest damn thing I have to a friend, Marchesi. I'm going to miss our little sparring matches. Take care. Treat your girlfriend well, and don't set anything on fire when I'm gone." She said with a little sniffle.

"I promise nothing, you hedonistic holy woman." I patted the top of her head gently. "Now get out of here. Enjoy your break, and get ready for more nonsense in autumn, you hear me?"

"You got it, Alta. I will." She let me go, took a deep breath, and ran off, quickly disappearing into the crowds.

I shook my head with a chuckle and continued on my path.

Eventually, I came to the door of the Bower. I paused a moment, taking in the enormity of everything.

I shook off the millions of second thoughts, concerns, worries, and fretting. This was going to be good. I would make this succeed.

I seized the handle of the inn door and opened it. Inside the inn was the smell of fresh bread and simmering soup, which was an instant balm to my soul. A nice change from the ever-present vaguely musty smell of the dorms.

Seated in the main area was Manya, the round, soft, jovial woman who owned the inn that I now called home. More surprisingly were two feathered guests that I did not expect to see at all.

"Oh! Hey girl, you're finally here! Eira already went upstairs. Just getting some arrangements done with some new long-term guests, donchaknow!" Manya said joyfully with a wave.

"Ah! Friend Alta! Egg Defender! Hello!" Sasa, the green-haired harpy, called to me with an excited wave of her arms, her wings flapping delightedly.

"Hello friend! Is good to see you again!" Lele, the blue-haired one, joined in excitedly.

"Oh! I'm glad to see you two again! You're looking well. How is your egg, Sasa?" I asked, joining the trio.

"Egg is healthy and warm. Strong shell, life grows within." Sasa said, petting a bag next to her, which I assumed carried her future child.

"I'm glad to hear it! So what are you doing here?" I sat, curious.

"Oh well, these two dears needed a place to stay now that the petition the harpy folk was working on looks to be going through. They didn't much care for the City Lord's accommodations, and someone apparently recommended my inn to these sweethearts, and I'm more than happy to put them up! City paid them up for a long, long time, and I'll be nice to have more company. And a little one soon, it seems! Delightful!" Manya beamed.

I had a feeling she was eager to play the role of grandmother, even if it was to a tiny baby harpy.

"Yes! And we found you are staying here too with your mate. Or whatever you elfses call it. I do not know word, no." Lele said, her ear feather fluffing as she looked lost in thought.

"That works well enough. I guess then we're going to be housemates of a sort for a while then! Well, I look forward to it!" I smiled at them.

This was going to make things interesting, but exciting, I liked to think.

I excused myself so they could finish their discussions. I also wanted to see Eira something fierce, and set down all my things. Until you pack up all your worldly belongings into a few bags, you don't realize how heavy your life can be.

I trotted up the stairs and gently rapped on the door to my new home for the coming future.

"Come in!" I hear Eira's voice, singing in a sing-song and full of joy.

I swung the door open to find Eira trying to make sense of a wardrobe. All the while looking as lovely as the day I saw her dancing in the autumn leaves.

"I'm home!" I said, dropping my bags unceremoniously, and throwing my arms open.

Eira immediately dashed forward into my embrace.

With a free foot, I kicked the door closed.

The next few hours were lost in a storm of kisses and discarded garments.

I was happy. I was truly, truly happy.

I hoped and prayed to any gods or demons that would listen, that this bliss could last forever.