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Memoirs 280 - Overdue hellos
🕑 Added 2024-08-04 21:22:58 +0000 UTCScarlett rose from her seat and exited the parlour. Garside was waiting outside in the hallway, bowing respectfully as he held the door for her.
âI trust the meeting went well, my Lady?â he asked, his gaze flicking briefly to the now-empty room behind her without further comment.
âIndeed,â Scarlett replied, a hint of amusement in her voice at the manâs unflappable demeanour. He didnât seem the least bit fazed by the fact that Kat had somehow just disappeared. âWould you be so kind as to fetch Fynn and Rosa? Have them meet me in the library.â
This might be a good time for introductions.
âOf course, my Lady.â The butler bowed once more before departing down the corridor, while Scarlett moved in the opposite direction, her heels clicking softly against the carpeted floor.
As she navigated the mansionâs hallways, the murmur of familiar voices reached her ears once she neared her destination. Approaching the library, she pushed the door open, finding three pairs of eyes instantly turning towards her.
âThere you are!â Kat called from an alcove in the corner, nestled by a cozy arched window. She shot Scarlett an accusatory glare. âWhat the Blazes did you just do to me?!â
Scarlettâs lips curved up into a slight smile. âYou expressed your interest in Allyssa and Shinâs well-being, so I took the liberty of arranging a more expedient reunion for you three via our house spirit. Was that not to your liking?â
Katâs mouth opened, then closed, and she stood there in silence for several seconds before grumbling, âI wouldâve appreciated a little warning firstâŚâ
âDo not be so particular,â Scarlett said, glancing around the library. Shin sat in a corner, returning his focus to a book on his lap, while Allyssa was perched on one of the windowsills overlooking the estateâs eastern garden and the snow-dusted treetops beyond. Curled up beside her was todayâs other unannounced guest â a sleek black cat with brilliant amethyst eyes, purring contentedly under her gentle strokes.
âEmpress. Welcome,â Scarlett addressed the feline. âIt is always a pleasure to have you grace us with your presence.â
The cat dipped her head in a regal acknowledgment before turning her attention to the window, clearly pleased with Allyssaâs ministrations.
It wasnât unusual for Empress to still visit the estate from time to time, and while Scarlett hadnât spotted the cat much herself, the staff reportedly took rather good care of her. Empress seemed to be somewhat of a mascot for them nowadays.
âDid you just welcome the cat?â Kat asked incredulously, staring at Scarlett for a moment before shaking her head. âNever mind. Letâs circle back to that âhouse spiritâ thing first. Is that what whisked me here so suddenly? How do you even have something like that? Translocation is some high-end magic.â
âYouâve clearly been away for too long,â Allyssa remarked, looking at Kat with a grin. âAnd by the way, Empress isnât just a cat.â
The feline let out a soft, almost disapproving meow, casting Allyssa an imperious stare.
âSorry,â Allyssa quickly amended, scratching behind Empressâ ear. âI meant that other cats canât compare to you. But youâre definitely a cat. The cattiest of cats.â
Empress, seemingly satisfied with that ârevisionââfor some reasonâreturned her attention to the view outside.
Kat blinked at the scene, bewilderment etched across her face. She turned to Scarlett, eyes narrowing accusingly. âWhat have you done to my sweet juniors?â
âCorrupted them, naturally,â Scarlett replied.
Shin glanced up from his book. âItâs your own fault, Kat. You shouldnât have tossed us to Scarlett as your replacements.â
âI donât really mind being corrupted,â Allyssa chimed in. âYou wouldnât believe how much my alchemy has improved these past few months.â
Kat continued glaring at Scarlett. âYou silver-tongued temptress.â
âI presume that was meant as an insult?â Scarlett asked.
âYep. Did it feel like one?â
âNot particularly, no.â
âDamn.â Kat released a light-hearted chuckle, then directed her gaze back to Allyssa. ââŚBut seriously, whatâs the deal with the cat?â
âThis is Empress,â Allyssa replied simply.
âYeah, I got that much.â
âShe visits now and then. Itâs probably best not to ask too many questions.â
Kat glanced over at Scarlett once more, seeking clarification.
âIt may be easier if you take Allyssa at her word,â Scarlett suggested.
Kat studied her for a moment before sighing. âFine. Whatever.â She moved to lean against a nearby drawer, her eyes shifting back to Allyssa and Shin. âSo, howâs life working with Scarlett? Iâve heard all kinds of wild rumors about our lofty baroness since I left, so I can only imagine things have beenâŚlively. Last time we met, Allyssa, you mentioned something about bloodthirsty fairies and the princesses, but I get the feeling youâve managed to top that by now.â
Allyssaâs face lit up. âOh, I canât wait to tell you about it. You seriously wouldnât believe some of the things weâve seen.â
âI donât doubt that,â Kat said, her smile mirroring Allyssaâs before fading slightly. ââŚHeard you also got involved in that Citadel incident, though. Howâd that go?â
Allyssaâs enthusiasm dimmed. She glanced at Scarlett before responding. âIt wasâŚintense. And, honestly, kind of scary. Being close to actual demons was terrifying. ButâŚwell, Scarlett has a knack for making you feel like everything will turn out alright, even in situations like that.â
âShe does, doesnât she?â Kat looked at Scarlett. âI remember when we ran into that demon together once. You ended up toying with the bastard like a cat with a mouse. Still, how did you get wrapped up in that Citadel mess to begin with?â
âI was assisting Duke Valentino of Bridgespell with a related issue when the events preceding the Citadelâs appearance unfolded,â Scarlett explained. âI offered my expertise to help manage the impending crisis.â
While she didnât think it would be a problem if Kat learned the full truth, there was no need to involve her unnecessarily right now. Allyssa and Shin had agreed to keep quiet, and Scarlett did actually trust them to keep that promise, even with Kat around.
The Shielderâs expression suggested she did suspect there was more to the story, but she didnât press further. âIâm just glad you all made it out safely,â she said, glancing at both Allyssa and Shin with genuine concern. âYou know, thereâs been a fair bit of worry back at Elysteadâs Guild branch, especially after hearing some of your reports.â
âThereâs not really any need to worry,â Allyssa replied. âYou know as well as we do what itâs like to work with Scarlett. Itâs harder to feel in danger than not, even if youâre facing a literal hydra made of fire.â
Kat blinked at the girl before turning back to Scarlett. ââŚI do trust you and all, but please tell me sheâs just using that as a hypothetical.â
âShe is,â Scarlett said.
âOh, thank the godsââ
âAlthough, in this case, it happens to be a hypothetical that aligns with an encounter we had earlier this week.â
Kat froze, leveling yet another accusatory look at Scarlett. âIâm starting to think introducing these two to you might really have been a bad idea.â
âYouâre just jealous we get to go on more exciting adventures than you did,â Allyssa teased.
âI can be jealous and concerned for your well-being at the same time,â Kat shot back.
âSuuure.â
âNow listen here, missy. Donât make me find your dad andââ
Their playful banter was interrupted as the library door opened, revealing two new figures. Rosa, with brown curls falling over one shoulder, and the white-haired Fynn both stepped inside.
âWell, well,â Rosa said, her gaze sweeping the room before settling on Kat. âLooks like thereâs a party in progress, and we werenât invited. With a fresh face in our midst, no less.â
âWerenât we asked to come here?â Fynn frowned.
âShush.â Rosa reached out a hand and held it before his mouth. âHi, Empress,â she added.
The cat returned the greeting with a lethargic meow.
âExcellent, you are here,â Scarlett said. She gestured towards Kat. âAllow me to introduce Kat Breeden. She is the Shielder I worked with before engaging your services. In addition, she is Allyssa and Shinâs senior.â
Rosaâs eyes widened slightly as she appraised the woman. âSo this is the famed Kat, huh? Iâve heard quite a bit about you from our fledgling Shielders.â The bard bent over to perform an elaborate bow, one arm extended. âItâs an absolute pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Scarlettâs bardic extraordinaire, Rosalina Hale, but you may call me Rosa.â She flashed a dazzling smile that wouldnât have looked out of place on Raimondâs face, then motioned at her companion. âAnd this paragon of sincerity and probity is ostensibly known as âFyntrathâ, but we all call him Fynn.â
Fynn gave a curt nod.
Katâs lips quirked in amusement at the over-the-top introduction. âYeah, Iâve heard about both of you from Allyssa. It seems she wasnât exaggerating when she described yourâŚcolourful personalities.â
âIâll take that as a compliment,â Rosa beamed.
âIt was meant as one.â Kat glanced at Scarlett. âThough⌠Iâll admit, Iâm surprised to find someone like you in Scarlettâs company. Sheâs not exactly known for her outgoingâŚor tolerant nature. No offense.â She looked back at Rosa. âBut it seems youâve made it work somehow.â
âOh, have I ever!â the bard replied, brimming with far too much enthusiasm. âIt may have taken days, weeksânot months, mind youâbut Iâve managed to worm my way into our dear baronessâ good graces like nothing else. Picture, if you will, a determined little leech burrowing into Scarlettâs thorny heartâor whatever she has in its placeâand latching on so tightly that nothing could hope to dislodge me!â
Scarlett couldnât suppress a look of mild disgust at the vivid description. ââŚOn that note, Miss Hale, now that Kat is here, perhaps it is time that we finally replace your presence with one that is less colourful. Kat is also familiar with healing magic, so I doubt we will lack much.â
Rosaâs face crumpled in an exaggerated expression of hurt, though her eyes betrayed her amusement. âIs that how it is, then? Itâs all fine and dandy to use my body and skills as long as you canât find someone else, but the moment an old flame comes running past, you wonât hesitate to toss me out the window? Does your callousness know no bounds?â
Kat let out a light laugh, drawing a mock glare from Rosa.
âOh, just rub it in, will you?â the woman huffed. âEventually, youâll be the one in my shoes.â
âSorry, sorry,â Kat replied, still laughing. âItâs just that I said almost the exact same thing to Scarlett earlier.â
Rosa paused, then her earlier smile returned in full force. âI see. A kindred spirit, is it? I take back all the mean-spirited thoughts I just entertained about you.â
Kat raised both eyebrows. âWhat kind of mean-spirited things are we talking about?â
âDonât worry about it.â Rosa waved her off, then sauntered over to drape an arm over Katâs shoulder â a somewhat awkward gesture given that the Shielder was half a head taller. âTell me, how long are you planning to stay? I assume youâre not actually here to replace meâyouâd have to fight me to the bitter end for that honourâbut I wouldnât mind chatting with you about whatever misadventures you and Scarlett got up to before we met her.â
Kat eyed the bard with a smile. âI wouldnât mind sharing, if youâre ready to fess up about some of the escapades Scarlettâs been involved in since.â
âOh, you have no idea how ready I am.â Rosaâs grin turned mischievously dangerous. âI have an entire book filled with tales of our exploits, in the most descriptive manner conceivable.â
Scarlett felt a scowl forming on her face as she watched the two interact. She suddenly realised that this introduction might have been a miscalculation on her part.
Before Rosa could start on anything too embarrassing and far-fetched, Katâs attention shifted to Fynn, who hadnât moved from the entrance. Her gaze seemed to land on the bone-white ring adorning his finger before turning back to Scarlett. âBy the by, is he the one?â
Scarlett arched a brow. âThe one?â
âRemember Whistlecreek? That village with all the shady folks and the wolf attacks? Thatâs where we got that magical ring, right? You said you were going to return it to someone.â Kat nodded towards Fynn. âIs he that someone?â
âAh, I see. Yes, he is.â
Fynn glanced between them, a trace of curiosity on his face.
Kat gestured to the ring on his finger. The [Mark of the Gale]. âSo, have you managed to make any decent use of that thing?â
ââŚYes,â Fynn said after a pause, raising his hand. âThe ancestors have taught me much.â
Katâs eyes moved from him to Scarlett, then back to him. ââŚAlright, sure. As long as itâs working for you. That ring didnât come easy. I had to fight off a whole pack of wargs to get it, and the trip there wasnât exactly a picnic. Getting ambushed by a deranged cult the moment you leave the city wasnât my idea of a good time.â
The mention of the ambush caused slight frowns to form around the room, and everyone turned their eyes towards Scarlett, as if seeking an explanation. She released a light sigh.
âKat is referring to an encounter with the Tribe of Sin,â she said in a measured tone. âShe handled the situation admirably, so there was no real danger.â
Kat shrugged, Rosaâs arm still over her shoulder. âWell, I handled it, I suppose. Wasnât really my finest hour, but allâs well that ends wellâŚâ She paused, as if something had just occurred to her. âActually, that reminds me.â Her attention shifted to Scarlett. âYou mentioned something about the Tribe causing a mess in your courtyard earlier. Was that connected to their attack on us?â
âIt was. Though that situation has also been resolved.â
âHow, if I might ask?â
Scarlett took a moment to consider her words before responding. âI simply demonstrated to them that I am not one to be trifled with.â
Kat gave her a skeptical look. âYou showed the Tribe of Sin that youâre not one to be âtrifledâ with?â
âYes.â
Rosa chuckled, giving Katâs shoulder a playful squeeze. âThat does sound like something she would do. Iâve seen the lady face down arch wizards like they were nothing more than cantankerous old men and confront age-old, people-sized eyeballs as if theyâd merely disparaged her favorite tea. Whatâs a few cultists or two?â
âWhile I wouldnât quite put it like that,â Allyssa added, âI mostly agree.â
Kat gave them both worriedâbut clearly intriguedâlooks, as if wanting to know more about those events. âGuess youâre right about that. Itâs not like I donât believe it.â
A sudden, assertive meow drew everyoneâs attention to the windowsill where Empress sat, tail curled neatly around her paws. The cat fixed Scarlett with a meaningful look before turning her gaze once more back to the world outside, as if sheâd made some profound declaration. Judging by the serious expressions on everyone elseâs faces, one would be forgiven if one believed she had.
Katâs eyes narrowed as she studied the reactions. ââŚNo, but seriously,â she said, motioning towards Empress. âWhat is up with the cat?â
Before anyone could respond, the door to the library swung open, and Garside stepped inside.
âMy Lady,â he said, addressing Scarlett. âI apologise for the interruption, but we have received an urgent message for you.â
Scarlett's brow furrowed. âFrom where?â she asked.
âThe Rising Isle, my Lady. They have requested your immediate presence.â
Comments
John Brady Anderson
I think just "time for banter to stop, serious events are eventuating"
lenkite
What was Empress interjecting with the "sudden, assertive meow" ? Just agreement or something else ?
Darth Hatall
Thank you for the chapter!
