The Realm of Austur Episode 2: New Consequences

"Sigh it was worth a shot," Baron said.

"You know its suppose to be hidden, not everyone knows about it," Sam told Baron.

"Well might as well head back got a busy day and something tells me we are going to need as much sleep as possible," Baron said as he lead the way back to his place.

Meanwhile............dood

"How much wood could a wood chuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood?" Catie mumbled in her sleep

"Then we'll go ahead and unpack, since we're already here," Vincent answers, Elia's happiness mirrored in his own smile. "I could use a change of clothes as well."

He opened the hidden entrance to Gorgath and walked inside, closing the door behind Elia once she was standing on the balcony next to him. "It feels like just yesterday we stood here together for the first time," he says wistfully. "I don't think I'll ever get used to the miracles of time."

They walked side by side through the city, and back into the palace. "I know it hasn't been that long, but welcome home Elia," he says softly, turning to her. He leans down to place a gentle kiss on the top of her head. "Give me a few minutes, Yekiri. I need to make myself presentable, and that requires a shower."

With one last smile, he leaves her side and heads into his room. He changes out of his armor and underclothes, shaves his unruly beard down to neat whiskers, undoes his traditional braid- allowing his long hair to fall free for the first time in quite a while- and takes a quick but thorough shower. He then slips on a nice white button down dress shirt and a pair of dark brown loose leather leggings. Afterwards, he slips on a formal black belt and grabs two pouches of gold, each containing several hundred pieces. Lastly, he shrugs on his royal coat- a beautiful black coat with red and gold embroidery used for formal events-and walks back out into the hall.

Finding he was the first one ready, he leaned against the wall near the right stairs and waited for Elia to come down.

After they had parted ways, Elia also went to wash up and change into clean clothes. That simple luxury was one she had missed while she was away from Gorgath, so despite her excitement she did take a little longer than usual as she appreciated being back home. Perhaps the thought of Gorgath being home was what she truly savored, as she knew she would always call it her home after that day.

She chose her outfit quickly, pulling out a simple shirt and skirt that were made with light colored fabrics; a creamy white, a soft blue, touches of green to accent it all, as seen best in the detailed folds of the skirt. The colors felt just as happy as she was, so when she looked at herself in the mirror she felt very true to who she was, and because of that, beautiful. She had made both of the pieces a fairly long time ago, but it never seemed to be the right time to wear them until that very day. Right before leaving her room she tied her hair behind her and put in her gold earrings.

As soon as she reached the staircase she could see Vincent, and knew he must see her radiant smile.

"Yes. And Vincent, I'll let you choose the ring. I know I'll love whatever you pick," she said.

Elia thought for a minute, seriously considering the possibility of returning to her usual lessons, but deciding there was something more important. "There are going to be things we'll want to talk about after this. It would probably be best to address those things sooner rather than later. Would you like to spend the day resting and making plans for our future?"

"That sounds like a fine idea," Vincent answers, reaching over to tenderly stroke her hair with his free hand. "Perhaps we should retire early tonight then. Maybe I'll actually sleep in my room tonight... Although, I have missed my throne..."

He chuckles at himself.

"Hm well I guess you can say my fire comes from me, or however it works," Baron said in thought. "But when a source is around, like when we encountered Silver and she used her flame breath it made it easier for me to make my own flames," Baron said.

"All I have is my necklace that let's me use a special type of life magic," Catie said. "Apparently, the stone in my necklace contains special properties or whatever dad use to try and tell me, but by channeling a little bit of mana that's how I become a wolf," Catie said.

"I know Shalla is a type 1," Baron said. "What about you ever figure out what your type was?" Baron asked Serlen

Vincent merely grinned and remained silent. The trek to the village was brief and uneventful, and a rare visit from the village's guardian deity- as well as a young woman with whom he was clearly close- soon had the whole town in a stir of excitement. Vincent attempted to guide Elia away from all the attention, but to no avail. The villagers swarmed around them like hungry ants, assaulting them both with a seemingly endless flurry of questions, and Vincent couldn't help but laugh. It was all so surreal, so... Strange. So wonderful.

Eventually, Vincent managed to drag Elia away, mainly thanks to the timely intervention of the Mayor and his wife, who then escorted them to the local Jeweler. Once inside the shop, Vincent was shown the best rings the Jeweler had to offer, but nothing immediately jumped out at him. He turned to Elia, to ask her opinion.

"Well, Yekiri? Do you see anything you like?"

Before she could even think of an answer, the Mayor's wife, a kind, older woman named Delilah, intervened. "Wait! My Lord, surely you don't intend to have your bride-to-be pick out her own ring?! Why, that will never do! That would ruin the surprise of seeing the ring for the first time! That's one of the most priceless moments of a young woman's life! To deprive her of that... Why, My Lord, that would be an utter tragedy!"

Vincent simply blinks, a bit taken aback, and Delilah turns to Elia. "Come with me, love. While he picks you out a ring, let's go get you fitted for a dress."

It was a statement, not a request. More like an order, actually. Vincent sighs. "I appreciate your help Mrs Barns, I truly do, but you're getting a bit ahead of us. I haven't even-"

"Nonsense," Delilah says, cutting him off with a wave of her hand. "Well, my dear? We should at least get your dress started now," she says, addressing Elia and completely ignoring him.

"Pshaw. That's no reason not to get the process started now, my dear. It is going to happen eventually, and probably soon, otherwise you wouldn't be here, shopping for a ring. What's the harm?"

Vincent sighs. Again. But deep down, he was secretly smiling. "Mrs Barns, please... I understand the sentiment, but we're in no rush. And I want her to be here with me, when I choose the ring."

"Well... Fine," Delilah concedes reluctantly. She turns back to Elia. "If you don't want to get started right now, that's fine. Just don't put it off for too long, eh? You've got yourself a great man. Don't let him get away from ya."

And with that, she walked right out the shop's front door, without another word. The Mayor shrugged and gave Vincent a look that said, "What can you do?" Then he followed her, leaving Vincent and Elia alone with the Jeweler.

Vincent clears his throat. "She means well, at least. But back to my earlier question... Do you see anything you like, Yekiri?"