Tyler Kimball - Lessgently
patreon
Pallesia: Chapter 147 - Security.
🕑 Added 2024-06-05 05:59:42 +0000 UTCIt was still fairly early in the morning, when Lee followed Regina through the lobby past a still sleeping Hera—Face down and out for the count on her receptionist desk. Along the way, he tried to explain what his squabble with Em was about, but Regina straight up didn’t seem to care. She’d gotten used to their squabbles, and by now, she was immune.
As Lee walked down the cobblestone walkway in front of his hospital, Regina grabbed the sleeve of his robe, halting him in place. “I forgot some documents. Wait for me here. I’ll be right back.”
Lee watched with a raised brow as Regina sped back into the building with haste. For the first time, he’d seen Regina forget something. Lee sometimes lost things, even though he had a special pocket dimension to help him keep track of them. It seems that Fatalina's strict standards might have been the reason behind Regina's rush.
After waiting around five minutes, Lee was about to head back inside to see what was taking so long, but Regina exited the building with a frown of displeasure. Seeing that emotion on Regina’s normally infallible face caused him some alarm. “Everything alright?”
She flicked her eyes toward him and frowned even deeper. “No, but I’ll deal with it later. Let’s move.”
Regina nearly shoved him out of the way in her anger, and Lee’s concern only deepened. But, if she didn’t want to talk about it. He wouldn’t probe any further.
During the past week, Lee had only wandered the streets of Felispar twice. Once, when he was brought here, and the other, when he took a walk during one of his breaks. He’d never wandered far, so this was going to be his first real outing into the city proper.
After around a minute of taking in the sights, Regina swerved right and walked up a smooth stone path that led to an enormous mansion. While Lee's hospital might be bigger, it was there to house hundreds of sickly patients if need be. This building was built to showcase one thing, and one thing only: Status.
Since he arrived in Thexis, it was one of the few buildings he had seen that had been constructed entirely out of solid stone. The gothic looking exterior featured flying buttresses and smooth-stained glass panels depicting majestic mountains, fluffy clouds, and flying dragons. Next to the wooden double doors, which led inside, a butler stood by. He had obviously been waiting for their arrival.
“The lord will see you now.” The older butler said, as he grasped each handle of the two wooden doors and dragged them open. They scrapped across the stone path, creating an ominous grating sound as they revealed the interior.
“Well, that’s not spooky at all.”
Regina jabbed him in the ribs. Apparently, she was still very much not in a good mood.
The interior of the mansion was much more humble than what the outside would suggest. A simple red woven rub led directly up to another set of large wooden double doors. The smaller room he currently stood in, was almost like an air lock—A room meant to separate the outside from the inside, once more.
When the butler did the same opening for this set of doors, there was no ominous groan. Lee turned to the butler for an explanation, and in return, got a shrug. “Old building. Needs some renovations.”
That was as good an excuse as any, in Lee’s opinion.
The butler led Regina and Lee down some hallways, which had numerous paintings hung up along the walls, depicting familial pictures of the Blights. Some of them were old, from past generations, and near the end of the hallway Lee saw a current one. It was one with Jeremy, his father, and his mother.
It looked well done, much better than Em’s painting that was for sure.
Along the way, they passed a dining room, a room similar to a living room, and eventually, arrived at their destination. The butler opened the door, and gave a bow as he stood off to the side.
Lee murmured his thanks as he entered inside, alongside Regina.
This room was a heavily used office. The walls were adorned with many bookshelves, each overflowing with files and folders, creating a cluttered atmosphere. The desk set up in the center was also piled high with stacks of papers. Behind the towering stacks, Jeremiah sat with a thoughtful expression as he read through some letter.
Sitting in front of the desk, alongside another chair, was Jeremy. He seemed at ease, and since this was the first time Lee had seen him out of his military attire, he could indeed see that he was a noble.
In his expensive-looking blue, form-fitted three-piece suit, Jeremy smiled at their entrance. Lee walked forward and took the seat next to him as he said his greetings. “Well, well, well. You look like a noble now! Not that I ever doubted you to begin with. You look good in that, Jeremy.”
Jeremy patted down his tie and took the compliment as it was. “I see you’re wearing the same thing you’ve always worn. You look alright in it, I suppose. Nice eyes.” He waved his hand in a grandiose manner, pretending to be pretentious.
"Take a deep breath, Em 2.0," he said reassuringly.
Jeremiah’s cough interrupted their banter, and Lee said his greetings toward his host. “Good morning, Lord Jeremiah. I’m sorry to say, I don’t actually know why I am here—Only that Regina has brought me.”
Jeremiah waved a hand and put the letter he was reading away onto the table. “Good morning to you as well, Mr Barnes. Have you found the city to your liking?”
Lee raised a brow in question. “I haven't really had a good chance to explore much. I’ve just now finished dealing with the backlog of patients the Sanctum has left to rot. I’m honestly shocked they choose to place their healing at such a high price. I’ve made a killing even though I’m being paid in coppers and silvers.”
Lee wasn’t lying either. When prices were so low, people flocked to his hospital for even minor things, like a nasty cut that would eventually heal on its own. He’d raked in upwards of ten gold just from his healing services, and it's only been a single week.
“That’s regrettable. Perhaps in the future, I can have Jeremy show you around. But, enough of the pleasantries. I actually have some business to discuss.”
Lee gestured for him to continue, which he did.
Jeremiah looked pensive as he began his proposal. “It is to my understanding that the gods themselves have blessed your building with a portal that brings patients here into my city. Also, it allows you to go to the front lines of the war, to heal those who are injured. Is this correct?”
“I wouldn’t say that the building is blessed, but everything else is correct, yes. Is that a problem?”
“No, not necessarily…” Jeremiah sighed and put his elbow onto the table, resting his chin on his folded hands. “If I’m being honest with you, Mr Barnes. I’m worried about the security of the portal.”
Lee waved away his concerns. “You don’t have to worry about that. Only I can go through the portal, and nobody else can use it. Regina tried. I don’t see it being a target.”
“No. I agree with Lord Blight. We need better security.” Regina said.
Lee twisted in his seat to look at Regina, who wore a conflicted frown. Lee’s spidey senses were tingling, and it wasn’t looking good. “What happened, Regina.”
Regina remained silent, and Lee’s eyes narrowed. “Tell me what happened. I’m going to find out sooner or later, and I know that I’m going to have to deal with it. Out with it.”
“I do not think this is the proper place to discuss this issue.” Regina said, diplomatically.
Before Lee could dig into the topic further, Lord Blight interrupted. “I agree with Regina. While I don’t know much about security, I know a lot about protecting what needs to be protected. The military has set up and camped outside my walls for well over two weeks now, and originally, they were not allowed to enter other than to be taught your healing magic. I’m here to suggest you let a few of those hardened veterans stay at your hospital for your protection, the protection of your patients, and to make sure that the portal is safe. I do not know much about the gods, but I know what happens when they are angered. I will not have that happen in my city.”
Lee nodded, as that was acceptable. He was more worried about what was keeping Regina quiet. “That’s fine by me. I’ll have Regina pick through the ranks and find their best. They can help heal the patients once they learn the magic as well.”
Lord Blight nodded and leaned back into his chair. “Next, I wanted to discuss you going through the portal. I’d like to have a timeframe, so I can notify the public of your departure.”
“I haven’t put much thought into when I'd go through, but I'd be more than willing to let you know when I make a decision. It won’t be for a while yet. I have much to do.”
Jeremiah soaked in his words, and after a second of silence nodded his acceptance. “That’s agreeable. Please let me know, as I’d like to prevent any civil unrest. The populace is already fairly unhappy having the military outside our walls. This region of the Kingdom is against the war.”
Ahh… Politics.
“I’ll be sure to let you know. Was there anything else you wanted to discuss?” Lee asked.
Jeremiah smiled and gestured toward the door. “No, that was all. Thank you for your time, Mr Barnes. I hope you do find time to properly enjoy the city.”
Lee stood and focused on Regina, who looked severely bent out of shape. “Anytime. Have a good day.”
Lee walked out of the office and was led by the butler back towards the exit. The entire time, he glared at Regina. Once they were properly outside and out on the street. He twisted to face her. “Out with it.”
“Lee, I really think—”
“No. Out with it. If whatever it is has gotten you to frown. I know I'm not going to like it. I’d rather hear it now, than get blindsided by it later.”
Regina met his eyes, and he could see that calculation happening behind the curtains. “Hera quit.”
Lee waited for some more, but Regina remained silent. “That’s it?”
“She can’t work for you any longer.” Regina said, her eyes never wavering.
“Well then, I suppose I’ll talk to her myself and see what she says.” Lee said as he turned to speed off toward his hospital. Something was most definitely wrong, and Regina was withholding information from him.
Regina huffed out a load of air from her nostrils, frustrated with the ongoing conversation, but she never stopped him.
When Lee made it back to the hospital, he noticed that Hera wasn’t at the receptionist desk. He wandered off to the north wing, and found her room. After knocking and not getting a response, he opened the door.
The insides were bare, almost like nobody had lived here before. Despite the presence of scuff marks on the ground, there was an eerie absence of personal belongings. While he didn’t know Hera that well, or really, at all. He found it hard to believe that she’d go from napping at the front desk, to gone with with the wind in what was at most thirty minutes.
“I told you. She’s gone.” Regina left him alone in the room after uttering those final words.
Comments
Kiwi
Maybe she's dead?!
Skylar
Bet Regina was responsible. Hope Hera comes back.😑
Academic Geek
TFTC!
Wintermelody
Thanks for the Chapter (≧▽≦)
