The Winds of the Past [Rune Factory 4]

Chapter 69

I took a good look around me as we entered Rishi’s and Sharmila’s house, which was substantially larger than even the houses in Selphia. Sharmila smiled at my curiosity, and explained. “This is the house of the Ra’mara, the Prince, the Son of the King that was and is no more. As the leader of the tribe, he is expected to provide hospitality to those in need—the rare stranger or visitor, but also any who are displaced and have nowhere to go. This often happens during the worst monsoons, when many homes are damaged or even destroyed. Furthermore, the house of the Ra’mara also serves as a meeting hall and the one and the seat of our government. Any and all who are in need of arbitration, justice, or succor come here to receive it. This is why the Ra’mara’s house is so capacious.”

“So this, then, is the house where Avani and Rishi grew up?” I asked as we walked down a long hall, passing several doors on either side.

“Yes. In fact, Avani’s room remains much the same as when she left it on the morning of her marriage. I would put you there tonight, but the bed is too small for two.”

“Might I see it?” I asked, my ears perking up. I felt a keen desire to have a look into her youth, as it were.

She smiled, and replied, “I’m sure that Avani will show you around later.” Then turning to address the group as a whole, she said, “I’m certain you all must be very hungry after the day’s efforts. I will leave you in our private sitting room and see to a meal.” She bowed her head to us, then started to leave, but Avani grabbed her arm.

“Please, Sharmila, before anything else, I want to bathe. I want to wash… all… that away.” She shivered a little, as she looked at her brother’s wife beseechingly.

“Oh, my dear, of course you do. I apologize for not thinking of that immediately. You know where to go—you’ll find the water hot and ready,” Sharmila said, looking distressed.

Avani glanced down at her clothing—torn and stained—and sighed softly to herself. I looked at Sharmila and asked, “Is there someone that could transport me to Selphia and back again? I should check in with Arthur and let everyone know that Avani has been found and is doing as well as may be expected, and I think that a clean change of clothing would not be unwelcome, as well. And I need to return Baldur to his pen, too, unless you wish to keep a monstrous wolf in your home.”

Sharmila considered for a minute. “You see, the difficulty is that we’ve already done so much teleporting, and it’s very draining to travel that way. I highly doubt that either Chanda or I could handle it, and Avani certainly cannot. Rishi could do it, as he has a fairly high capacity for spellcasting, but….”

“But you worry for him, because of his blindness?” I finished for her as she hesitated. She nodded, glancing quickly at her spouse. “If he is willing to take me, I will look after him. I may not look it,” I added drily, “but in my time and among my people, I, too, was a Dragon Priest to Ventuswill.” She looked startled, and I grinned. “So we may have more in common than you thought.”

She nodded slowly, and said with a rueful smile, “If Rishi is willing to go, I will trust you to take care of him. The decision, of course, is and always has been his. But I’ve been looking after him for so long now, it’s sometimes difficult to leave him to the care of others.”

“I will gladly take Leon there and back again,” Rishi said, smiling. “I am not entirely helpless, my beloved, despite my handicap.”

“Then let’s go now, while Avani bathes, so that she may have fresh clothing to put on afterward.” I held her for a moment, kissing her and whispering to her that I would hurry as quickly as I could and to just relax in the bath until I returned. Then, as I called Baldur to me, Rishi reached out and carefully caressed his twin’s hair before placing his hand on my shoulder and chanting the teleportation spell.