The Krakos: Book Two of The Legend of the Artificer

Chapter 17

"Well, if you two are done," Elmer drawled as she leaned on the door of Angel and Grim's bedroom in the inn. Neither one of them were looking at the other. Still mad, then.

"Seriously, guys, you act like it's the end of the world," Tibalt said with a yawn. A lazy stretch, and then he shot them a bright grin. "Did you have fun with Charm?"

"We definitely did not," Angel replied, and stood up. "Did you two go see Taro without us?"

"Well, we're on a deadline, and we got a lead," Tibalt said and reached into his pocket to pull out the letter. "Who's in charge of security at the tower?"

"... That would be Anais Lumos," Angel said, and squinted at the envelope. "What's that?"

"An invitation," Tibalt said, and flicked it around to show off the seal. "Anais's former apprentice is the third favorite for the High Mage seat, so we're going to go shake things up."

"... So, we're getting involved in a Magic Tower's politics?" Angel asked in disbelief, and Grim snorted.

"We've been involved from the start," he said, and came to his feet. "Alright. Let's go, then. Good job."

"Grim, they went off on their own---"

"Should they have waited?" Grim challenged in such a big-brother voice it made Tibalt internally cringe at the memory of using it himself. "They're adults, and we're on a job. You should be thanking them for covering."

"Alright, we don't need another fight," Elmer interrupted, and pushed the door open wider. "After you two."

"... Thank you," Angel muttered, and ah, younger brother voice. Tibalt was also very familiar with that one. "We'll get going, then."

"Cheer up," Tibalt said cheerfully, and slid out into the hall. "We'll be done before you know it! You two can fight the whole way back to Vengyll, and I can safely hide away in my tower till the next mission."

"You're not getting a place in Vengyll?" Grim asked, and Tibalt elected to ignore how put out he sounded.

"Well, not yet. House hunting is a pain," Tibalt replied and skipped down the stairs. "And I've already got somewhere very comfortable and fully automated to live. Who needs two houses when you have teleportation?"

Though figuring out lodging for Junebug would be a pain... He would probably have to build a stable and various horse related things. Paddock, pasture to run in, all of that. It would cost more in the short term, but it was better than leaving her at a stable long term.

Also, Tibalt did not want to be 'that guy' that owned two houses for no damn reason. If he even did own the tower. He had no idea whose land it was on. For all he knew, he was not allowed to be there. Ah... he would have to figure that one out. And soon, probably. It was charmed for now, but he had no need of getting into trouble. He just wanted to do something with the tower. It was way too big for one person.

"You'll make Tarm feel bad," Angel said warningly. "Trolls can be very passive aggressive if they feel they're being neglected."

Ah... Right. Tarm. He didn't want to make Tarm feel bad. She was the only sensible person beyond Angel and Altair he'd met so far.

"Well, I need to do something with the tower," he said, and he couldn't help but privately admit he was too attached to let go of it just yet. That was his home.

"You'll figure something out," Angel said encouragingly as they stepped out into the street. "I'm sure."

"Eh..." He didn't really want to figure anything out right now.