The Nightrose Chronicles I: Broader Horizons

Breaking Bread

The party, led by minister Artania, showed them through the enormous castle to the Regent. Garnet had piloted them into the royal docking area with grace and ease, "Have you piloted a ship before?" Tessa asked.

"Like you, I had been fascinated with airships," she smiled softly, "I had studied them intensely and drew up ships of my own design. So while we were visiting one day, my father let me take the wheel."

"He sounds like a great dad..."

"He was..."

"I'm sorry you lost him... I wish... I wish he was still there for you."

"Thank you, that means a lot to me," Tessa nodded, afraid to speak. "Do you prefer Annie?" Tessa's face shot up, "I overheard Lailah call you Annie."

She nodded, "Yeah... It... Reminds me of something..."

"Hmm?"

"A dream I had once... I was this girl..." She swallowed, "Named Annie... She had such a great family; mom, dad, siblings... They were all so loving and happy..." Tessa pressed her lips together as tears slipped down her cheeks.

She jumped when she felt arms wrap around her, Garnet had hugged her, "I am so sorry..."

Tessa nodded, as she tried to swallow the tears down. Heartbreak ripped through her chest as she remembered her family. "Garnet?"

She gave Tessa a squeeze before calling to her uncle, "Coming!" she turned back to the child, "Everything's gonna be okay now. You're here. You're safe. I'll make sure of it."

"Thanks..." she managed.

The throne was empty when they arrived. "Where's the regent?" Steiner asked.

There was an odd shuffling sound coming from behind the throne <GWOK> <GWOK> more shuffling <GWOK> <GWOK> A potato bug the size of a newborn baby peeked around the corner making several of them cry out.

"Oh my God!! Eeew! Eeew! Eeew! I'm out! I'm so out!" Meadow gagged and put a hand to her mouth before running out of the room.

It hopped towards them hesitantly before springing into the air,"O---o---oglop!!!" Steiner screeched in a tenor, his voice resonating like an opera singer, before he twisted his body around like a dancer and punched it in the gut, "I'll save you Princess!" Before he could hit him, Lailah and Tessa grabbed his arms and pulled him back. Kailynn had been to busy laughing hysterically, "What're you doing!? Where's the regent!?"

"Wait!!!" Tessa told him as he flung her around. "Wait!!"

"Thank you. <GWOK> I thought for sure I was gonna get thrown against the wall," The oglop said.

Steiner settled down "I---i---i—i—it talked!?!?" his voice rose higher as everyone jumped.

"Yes. Someone snuck into the regent's chambers a few months back and turned him into an oglop," Artania explained.

"Whoa! Wasn't expecting this," Zidane said.

"Who are <GWOK> you're friends Garnet? Though I recognize Steiner and Zidane."

"How do you know me?"

"It's my job as a regent to know all persons whom I rule."

Silver introduced them, "Uncle, we have an urgent matter to discuss with you," she turned to the Black Mages to see Keld wringing his hands.

"Um... May I speak?"

"You may."

"We, my friends and I," he motioned to his fellow mages "We've been held as slaves in the village of Dali. They produce us there and we have to carry our brothers and sisters in coffins to Alexandria," he wrung his hands, "We were asleep until Tessa, Lailah, and Vivi came, and talked to us."

"Do you know what for?" Artania asked.

"Not really," He shook his head. "Everything I remember is like a dream, a nightmare... But," he looked up, "We want to be free. They've showed us that. Some of our brothers and sisters are still in the ship sleeping in their coffins. We want to know if we can stay in Lindblum...? We won't be any trouble," the smallness in his voice reminded Tessa of a timid child.

"You can stay," the Regent agreed.

He let out a sigh of relief, "Oh! Thank you. Thank you!"

"Is there anyone who could help teach them things?" Tessa asked, "They're like babies, they don't really know what things are."

The potato bug nodded, "I'm sure I can find an excellent teacher," he gwoked.

"See?" Tessa hugged Keld, "Everything's gonna be okay," she stroked his back.

"Thank you, Tessa."

"Thank you for telling us all of this," Artania said.

"Yes, it will really help future endeavors," Cid said. "Now would anyone care for lunch?"

Before lunch was served Zidane left saying he preferred 'cheap food', Meadow joining him as she couldn't eat with the oglop in the room. The mages oohed and awed about the delicious new tastes they tried, they looked so happy and content. Tessa watched Lailah eat for a moment, I thought angels didn't eat?

He smiled at her, We need to eat too, once in a while.

What do you usually eat?

Vegetarian mostly.

She froze mid-bite. Is it bad to eat meat??

Not for you. You're physiology is a bit different than mine. All of our bodies are a little different.

Oh, phew!

So how's your food? he asked.

Good! Kind of like barbecue. It's definitely healthier than what they serve in our world! I'm gonna like this trip; trying various meals and not worrying about what I'm putting into my body! She grinned like a content cat.

"Uncle Cid?"

"Yes Garnet?" the regent asked.

"Tessa says she's very interested in airships and would like to learn how to build one. Do you think she could see the airship dock?"

The Regent smiled, or as far as they could tell he did, "I'm sure that can be arranged."

"Really!?" Tessa bounced, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Lailah grinned as she reminded him of the mages they just saved.

"When would be a good time for you?"

"Well I wanna explore the city too..."

"Then tomorrow morning would probably be best, The Hunt starts tomorrow and you won't be able to see the whole city," Artania explained.

"That's true. <GWOK>. Are any of you planning on participating?" Cid asked.

"Definitely!" Kailynn twirled her dagger in the air before viciously stabbing into a bit of roast and eating off her blade.

"No thanks," Tessa and Vivi said enjoying their food.

"Don't you at least want to try it?" Zidane asked.

She shook her head, "I'm not too good with time limits. And besides," she swallowed a bite, "I'm not that great a fighter yet."

He scoffed, "You beat the Sea Lion nearly single handed! Think of it as more practice; if you lose no big deal," He explained.

"I don't know," Her gaze moved to her father, seeing the concerned look on his face before it vanished and he nodded his approval.

"Okay, but only if Lailah can save me if things get too serious..." She directed that to Artania.

"Of course," Artania said. "We try to keep everyone relatively safe during the hunts."

"Alright."

"I will too," Lailah agreed.

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