The Chronicles of Nir

27 | Sweet Reunion

The storm over Trinnian's mansion appeared localized, and within the hour, Clockwork's ship sailed through clear, starry skies high above lush countryside.

No other ships could match Harmony's speed, giving them plenty of time to dock at Victory Lookout, Ardenia's only airship port, before word of the disaster reached Ardensfall. From there, Tallon and a crew of stealth gnomes slipped into the city unnoticed.

They reached Thaddeus' townhouse an hour before dawn. Leon merely sighed at Tallon's tidings, as if Thaddeus running afoul of the law was a normal occurrence. Even though Thaddeus had already confirmed this, the elder butler's eyes carried the look of an exasperated parent who had run through every option in the book to correct a rebellious child.

Inside the townhouse, Scamp flew into Tallon's arms and licked his face. She projected a thought of inquiry and concern before showing him the way she saw him: his amethyst aura and eyes tinged with shadow.

Inspecting himself in the nearest looking glass, Tallon noticed nothing out of the ordinary, and shrugged. He'd used very dark magic, which was bound to leave a spiritual mark and residual energy, but aside from being tired and dirty, Tallon felt fine.

A plant at the end of the hall rustled, and with a series of excited squeaks, Sprout burst forth and speed-waddled to Tallon, scaling his body with ease, and settling on his head, where it tugged sharply on his hair. Once Tallon promised they would see Ben and Fann soon, the treeling pumped its fist in the air with a high-pitched "Weeee!" Then it grabbed thick fistfuls of Tallon's hair like reins, but behaved well enough as its "steed" packed everyone's belongings in haste.

A carriage had been ordered, and a small contingent of gnomes carried several trunks from the townhouse. As they passed through the overgrown garden on the way to the street, one of the porters squealed in delight as he caught sight of a metal contraption with a rounded helm and rubber wheels half obscured by vines.

"Ooooooh, what is this delightful invention?" the gnome asked, dropping the trunk he'd been carrying to inspect the purple painted frame. "What makes it run?"

His inquiry was met by a roll of Leon's eyes and a stern reminder of the task at hand.

"But, but, but, but!" The lavender haired man pressed both fists to his mouth and squirmed, eager to tinker with the marvelous structure. "If you please, sir, I would so love—"

His pleas fell on deaf ears as one of his peers dragged him toward the carriage.

Once everyone's belongings had been stowed in the buggy, Leon pulled Tallon aside.

"I think you ought to have this, sir," he said, holding out the memory book containing the strange chronomeograph of Tallon's father. "And... keep an eye on Thaddeus, if you will. I shall do what I can to smooth things over here. These little, er, incidents tend to blow over after a time."

Tallon arched an eyebrow, but said no more on the subject.

He was rather reluctant to accept the book, but he knew this time capsule held the key to an important piece of his past. Wrapping it carefully, he kept it on his person.

Casting a glance toward the cobblestone street, Tallon said, "I must beg you one more favor, Leon. Our horse, Starlight. Can you see she is brought to Lothrel Tremesian? I am loath to leave her behind, but an airship is no place for a steed, and I do not know when I may return."

"Think nothing of it," Leon replied with a bow. "Lothrel and Mina adore animals, and Starlight will receive the finest care in all the seven realms."

Tallon nodded. He'd miss the sweet mare, but took comfort in knowing she'd have a good life.