AO 8 Ch 2

For a group that normally wasn’t very rowdy, my party was having fun that evening at the inn. We stayed up late with the locals, telling tall tales and getting more than a few rises out of those like Simon, who were latching on to our accomplishments with surprising ease. I took great joy in telling each story with the casualness of commenting on the weather.

But even then, the night eventually came to an end. One by one my ladies trickled up to the few rooms in the inn. Meanwhile, even my godly companions slipped away into Soulgard to take their own rest.

As the tavern emptied out and Beth denied my attempts to help clean up, I found myself walking the village I once grew up in, feeling strangely at a loss. There had been more than one joke about how I would be unable to stay away and return to the village, but deep down I sort of knew that was a lie. My life was continuing to become busier, and I had no idea when I would pass by this way and be able to stop by. With kids in the capital, I doubted I was going to be running off to visit Beth in the middle of nowhere.

Part of me knew that by going back I was stepping into a mire and the longer I remained in the capital, the more entrenched in its politics I’d become.

And even then, I couldn’t help but realize that all of these people were going to disappear, which was a morbid thought but did not make it any less true. They were going to be dead and gone far before I even started to grow old.

After all, they weren’t immortal. And I was immortal, at least as long as no one put a knife in my back. I’d pop back up from nearly anything, which meant I was staring down the face of a very long life, while everyone here in this village would be like a fall season, shed and gone in the blink of an eye.

If I came back in a decade or two. I might not even know most of the people in the village.

Somehow, despite being so young, I felt old as I sank into those thoughts, standing amidst the village I grew up within, yet somehow felt like a stranger in a faraway land.

The evening had been fun, but it had made me realize that besides Beth, there really wasn’t anything here for me anymore. This village was quickly becoming my past, while my future burned elsewhere.

I stared up at the moon as it loomed overhead, having watched all of this time and again, before I let out a sigh. It’s not like the moon was going to give me any answers. The only way I was going to press forward was to put one foot in front of the next and see what came of it all.

Simon’s talk of me becoming a king bothered me in a way I didn’t want to admit.

I had felt that type of pressure back when I was in the capital, and I knew I was going to have to face it again. Because of what I was, it seemed people were always going to be expecting far greater ambition from me than I wanted. It wasn’t fair, and part of me wanted to be bitter about it, but that didn’t serve any purpose, certainly not one that would do me any good.

“You know, if you’re melancholic any longer, I think we’ll have to get a string band to follow you around to set the mood,” Bad Kitty said, sitting on a fence post not far away, that naughty tail of hers flicking once to the side before disappearing. The moonlight lit up her dark hair making it seem particularly purple as it fell like a waterfall down around her shoulder. The pair of matching cat ears on the top of her head flicked to some unknown sound before recentering on me.

Bad Kitty was an apt name, she often looked like she was up to trouble with a signature smirk constantly on her lips.

“Is that so? And here I thought we said we were going to put a bell around you. Looks like it didn’t work out.” I replied.

She chuckled with a helpless shrug that no one would believe. “A bell? That would keep me from sneaking up on people. After all that’s a cat’s hobby.”

“Sometimes things just don’t go the way you want them to.” I smirked. She was being a little standoffish tonight, then again she was fickle like a cat. 

“Not that you’ve ever experienced that.” She winked a golden cat eye.

“No? Well, why don’t you take a walk with me?” I held a hand out.

Bastet, whom I liked to refer to as Bad Kitty, bounced off the fence post and landed next to me, taking my arm with a smile that I couldn’t believe, especially not after what she had told me about her daughter. She believed that Hades was holding her daughter captive, which had been part of her initial incentive to join Missy and me.

“What a pleasant evening for a stroll, isn’t it?” she asked, and I shook my head.

“How do you do it? How do you remain upbeat despite what we both know you’re going through?” I asked, never being one to ignore the wyrm in the room. In fact Emlyn might say I liked to poke the wyrm for fun.

“Well, it isn’t as if it’s a brand new problem for me, Ard. Sometimes the only way to stay sane is to stop fretting about the situations you can’t control.”

“Okay. So how do you do it?” I let out a heavy sigh. 

“Pardon? I just told you.” Bad Kitty said with a tilt of her head.

“No you didn’t. Things like this you can’t just ‘ignore’. How do you do it day in and day out? You have a missing kid.” I pressed.

“She is far from a child, even if she is my child. No, she’s well over four thousand years old. But that doesn’t mean I won’t come when she needs me.” Bad Kitty laughed.

I nodded. I had to admit that after living four thousand years, she could probably handle herself.

“But to answer your question,” she continued, “you just learn how to compartmentalize. Some things are hard, some things are easy, and those you can do nothing about need to be pushed aside so you can focus on the things you can.” She gave me a long, knowing look. “I suspect you need a reminder in that regard.”

I waved a hand through the air. “Why would I need a reminder? It’s not like I have trouble with anything, after all. I’m the great and wonderful four-sphere mage. How could I ever have such woes?” I asked, my tone dripping with sarcasm.

Bad Kitty leveled a pointed glare at me.

“Yes, there are problems, but none of them are that important.” I said with a pout. No one would sympathize with problems like trying to be shoved onto the throne or getting too much attention.

“Despite the scale, they are still allowed to weigh on you, and you’re still allowed to do something about them,” Bad Kitty said, leaning over and pecking me on the cheek. “And if I have a word of advice, it is to get some sleep while you can. Once you return to the capital, you might find getting sleep harder and harder to accomplish.”

I groaned and looked up at the moon for a moment, only for Bad Kitty to vanish, most likely into my soul.

It never stopped being weird to think about how many people lived in my head. At times, I wondered if I was going crazy. Na, going crazy would probably be more amusing.

I stared up at the moon a moment longer, wishing I could somehow avoid what was to come. Maybe a giant disaster would pop up and pull me away. I was tempted to create that disaster myself.

I sighed, kicking at the ground before turning myself around to head back into the inn. Bad Kitty was right. I needed to get some sleep and prepare for whatever was to come.

***

The wind whipped past the carriage as I stuck my head out to see the capital unfold before me. The capital was a massive, sprawling city with two notable structures dominating the landscape. In the distance, the royal palace had gold-topped spires that glistened in the sun. Meanwhile, the Enclave sat like a large square monolith, squatting amongst the city like a sleeping leviathan that might wake at a moment’s notice and at the most inconvenient time.

My eyes traced the streets until I found the familiar structure of House Aldis.

Cyam latched onto my thoughts and whinnied as he kicked on the air and flew down closer, racing over the city walls toward the noble house.

More than a few guards on the city walls perked up at my approach, pointing. Some of them looked like they were reaching for weapons and shouting for their superiors, though ultimately, their concern wouldn’t amount to anything. It was plain as day to anyone who understood that a powerful mage was sweeping into the city, be it myself or any of the elders of the Enclave. Stopping at the city wall would be nothing more than a waste of time.

I could skip the posturing today as they saw how young I was and tried to use their authority to intimidate me into not causing ‘trouble’ like I was a kid.

Cyam dove, the carriage bouncing through the air behind him before he pulled into a skidding stop, sliding through the air until his dark, shadowy hooves landed on the ground. Then he slid just a bit further as he came to an abrupt halt in the backyard of my noble family’s estate.

For such a tight landing he performed admirably.

So, when he tossed his head and looked shyly at me I knew he needed some praise.

I smirked and strode out of the carriage, head held high, only to find absolutely no one rushing out to greet me. I frowned, not necessarily because I was disappointed, but because I had been expecting a bit more fanfare.

“Well I expected more. Too bad no one was here to see you landing, Cyam.” I reached up and scratched him behind the jaw like he liked.

The horse made of dark magic closed his eyes in ecstasy for a moment, pressing his head more firmly into my hand as I scratched.

“Ard!” Emlyn jumped out, hand on her sword as she crouched before me.

“Oh, come on, we just got back home. We don’t need to do the whole—” I started, but then Emlyn grabbed me by the shoulders and pushed me back into the carriage. Aurelia was waiting, arms crossed under her chest.

“You know you aren’t supposed to go out first,” Aurelia scolded me.

“Yeah, but I’m back home, right? This is a safe place.” I gestured emphatically to the courtyard beyond us.

“A safe place that is currently empty for reasons unknown.” Aurelia’s eyes bore into mine. I could have fought her, but I knew when to let them have a win. I leaned back in the carriage waiting for an all clear.

I tapped my foot as Emlyn looked about and my fiery-haired Aurelia stepped out as well. As her feet hit the ground, a butler came rushing outside.

“Oh! Young Master Arden, we’re so moved that you have arrived!” He clapped his hands and bowed low. “I do apologize for the scarce reception. Currently the estate is… strained,” he said, with a smile just as tense as his words.

“Oh, that’s fine, fine. Is there anything going on that I can help with?” I asked, unable to help my curiosity.

“Actually…” The butler glanced to the side. “If you aren’t too weary from the travels, we are currently holding a reception, and it would be wonderful for you to attend.”

“Whose reception?” I was about to tell him to buzz off before Emlyn spoke up.

“Ah. There is a large number of guests who have decided to come give gifts to Lady Sienna. After all, she is the darling of House Aldis, no, the whole kingdom. Anyone and everyone is hoping to make a wonderful impression. I have heard no less than two dozen arranged marriage proposals for her yet-unborn child.” The butler chuckled as if it were a funny concept.

“You’re kidding, right?” I stared at him deadpan. 

“No, sir,” he said, clearly not expecting my reaction.

“Come on, let’s go.” I waved my hand, and one after the other, everyone departed from the carriage that shouldn’t have had nearly the space for all of them. Emlyn and Aurelia had already exited, but behind me popped Zuri and Eva, followed by Maribelle, Missy, Ditsy, and Bad Kitty.

I enjoyed the look on the butler’s face as he leaned to the side, trying to peer inside the carriage as if that would reveal the secret. But I left the dumbfounded butler behind as I walked ahead. The carriage and Cyam melted into the ground behind me before they slid into my shadow.

He quickly realized he had shirked his responsibility and rushed to catch back up to us, leading Emlyn while the rest of us trailed behind. “Your trip to Zenovia has gone well?” he asked. He wanted information, but rather than speak directly to me, he apparently found it easier to talk to my anchors.

“Oh yes,” Emlyn replied. “Ard had a blast. Did some things, killed some people, solved some mysteries. There’s a new generation of royalty taking the throne at Zenovia now.”

“What? Pardon?” The butler struggled to keep up. “New royalty on the throne? Has the queen abdicated?”

“Dead,” I said from behind.

“Dead? Did you—another?” He choked, unable to say ‘kill’.

“No, I did not kill the queen. Why would you think I killed the queen?” I asked anybody who cared to answer and ideally defend me.

“Well… if it had been the first time a royal had died around you, then perhaps it would have been an accident. But the second time is a pattern, and, well, the third is just what we would expect at that point.” He was strangely blunt.

I paused, staring at him until he looked away, suddenly pale.

“I apologize if I have insulted you, young lord.” He bowed his head while shaking.

I wanted to sigh and berate him. Just because I gave a person a funny look did not mean I was going to suddenly kill them. I was already exhausted and we had been back for all of five minutes.

“It’s fine,” I grumbled as we moved forward.

We entered House Aldis, and I looked around. The area around us was plenty nice, but none of it felt warm or inviting. I had sort of hoped that I would feel like I was returning home. However, I didn’t get that feeling. If anything, it felt less home-like than Beth’s inn. After all, I had lived there far longer, even if it wasn’t part of my present reality.

It was quickly apparent which way we would find all of those dining, because I could hear murmurs down the hall, the soft clink of glasses, and the occasional metallic warble of trays. I didn’t need a guide any longer. I nodded for Emlyn and Aurelia to hurry up.

The two needed no further encouragement, overtaking the old butler and sweeping down the hall as more maids and butlers scurried back and forth from the main dining hall.

A pair of guards opened the door with a nonchalant smile. “Welcome back, young master.” They dipped their heads. As they opened the doors, the sound of dozens of voices burbling over one another washed out of the room. I smirked at the sight.

Sienna and Selina were perched up on two large plush chairs. Sienna was perched on a large plush chair with an equally round Selina standing behind her, doing her best to remain her anchor, though with how large her stomach was, I suspected she would eventually have to sit down.

My entrance caused a small ripple, but it had yet to reach either of them. Instead, Sienna had a beautiful smile plastered on her face while she accepted a large gift from what appeared to be House Thorne. The young blonde, who I vaguely recognized, leaned forward and tried to say something conspiratorial to Sienna. Whatever was said, it made my wife laugh, her green eyes sparkling.

On my approach, people moved aside and the space opened up. Sienna and Selina looked up, spotted me.

It was like watching the sunrise. Sienna went from a casual laugh, perhaps genuinely amused, but when she saw me, her face lit up. Her eyes sparkled like the ocean with the first blush of light returning to the world, and her smile stretched across her lips in a show of entrancing beauty.

Of course, as the star of the show, her reaction caused a far greater ripple than my own entrance, and half the room or more turned to see what had caused the shift in her attention.

Suddenly, the gift giver and everyone else lined up to give her one were pushed aside, revealing just how many gifts she already had received. There were enough placed to the side that she could likely strike out and start her own merchant company with the items as her starting wares.

I had no doubt whatever was inside those boxes was borderline priceless, at least by the way everyone handed them to her, with the hopes and dreams of their families laid plainly on their faces.

Sienna pushed off the chair with more effort than I expected, and I found myself rushing forward.

“No, no, sit back down,” I chided her like a doting husband should take care of their wife.

“I’m not crippled. I’m just pregnant.” She swatted my hand away before casting a glare at Selina before the other woman could do anything. The two women had a contest of wills somewhere in their eyes before it appeared Sienna won, and she stood up on her own without anyone hovering.

“Wait, you’re pregnant?” I said with my best look of surprise, but I had only been gone a month at most. Whispers rippled through those waiting in line to give gifts.

Sienna put a hand against her face and groaned. “Ard, you can’t make jokes like that here. These people don’t know who you are and don’t understand your antics.”

“Their loss,” I said with a shrug, only for Emlyn to overtake me and grab Sienna by the shoulder, giving her a look up and down.

“It seems you’re being treated well enough and we don’t have to go hunt anyone down. Though if there’s been a problem, all you have to do is slip the name on a sheet of paper to us,” Emlyn said loud enough for everyone to hear.

“A name and a whisper,” Maribelle confirmed, “and they’ll disappear.”

Sienna laughed and gave Emlyn a loose hug before turning to Maribelle and nodding. “I appreciate your protectiveness, but really, I am fine. Everyone needs to stop treating me like I am made of glass.” While her words were great, by the end of the sentences she was huffing, as if even speaking the words had sapped her strength.

“Uh-huh. And why don’t we just sit you back down?” I took her hands and guided her back to the chair, seating her gently and making sure the pillow at her back was fluffed and firm enough for her.

“Not you too, Ard!” she said over her shoulder.

“I’m afraid if you were hoping I wouldn’t pamper you within an inch of your life, you’re going to find yourself gravely mistaken. And while we’re at it…” I glanced at Selina. “Someone get her a chair too.”

“Oh, you can try, but she won’t,” Sienna warned me.

All I had to do was give Maribelle a raised eyebrow in challenge.

Maribelle moved forward, making sure a seat was brought forward and Selina’s ass quickly was planted on the chair. Aurelia and Zuri took up her post and became vigilant watchers in her stead.

“How was Zenovia?” Sienna asked.

“Oh, good. You know, some of this, some of that. Killed a naughty goddess and a really creepy goddess-lite,” I mumbled through the last.

“Demigoddess,” Missy corrected.

“That,” I said, gesturing at her and continuing my story. “Anyways, I killed a few here, killed a few there. Then I decided who’s going to rule Zenovia for the near future. Oh, and I got information on what happened to my father.”

I said the last part as if it were a minor thing. However, Sienna gave me a leveled gaze and patted my thigh consolingly. She knew how deeply that loss continued to affect me. “I’m sorry. That must have been hard.”

“It was closure,” I said quickly, not wanting to talk about it in front of the crowds.

She gave some of my other ladies a questioning glance, only to drop the subject when Emlyn changed the subject.

“Well, we’ve been off and busy, but it looks like you’re no slouch yourself. Did you arrange this?” Emlyn asked, teasing her a bit.

“Huh? I guess, but not exactly by choice.” Sienna waved a hand at the crowd. “If I didn’t arrange it, they would come every day at all hours of the day and night trying to get an audience with me. It was far easier to hold one party and invite them all. If you want to know why it’s happening, ask your mother. It was her idea.”

“Of course it was,” I said, looking out over the crowd. “Now, where is she?” I squinted. At times it was hard to find her, given how low she sat in the crowds on her wheeled chair.