Chapter 16 — Worries, Determination, a Pair of Letters, and a Painting

Contacting Jarrel to come pick them up was fairly humorous as he thought she was playing a trick on him for a while before realizing that her voice was coming from the stone. Reliable as always, Jarrel was already waiting for them outside the gate and they were soon onboard the carriage heading back to the estate. Miela was there as well, and Keira started reporting to her maid about updates to her schedule and plans for the week.

Ria considered herself fortunate that Jarrel seemed preoccupied with something, as her ambivalent answer to ‘how her day went’ passed unchallenged, and Keira didn't mess it up for her this time, but the noble girl did give her an eye roll, probably about not mentioning the duel.

Whether her first day of classes was a bad day... Being late for her first class, then getting a challenge letter, and having her face bloodied in front of half the academy admittedly ranked up there for embarrassments, but no one had really bullied her, and both her familiar-empowering class and spending lunch with Iselyn were fun. She had even learned how to sense her familiar bond during the exercise with the concentric isolation barriers set up to block spirit magic.

“So, you wanted to know about Hulle Novidus?” Keira asked after having finished with Miela.

Ria nodded and listened with interest as Keira spun the tale of Hulle’s underhanded schemes against his older cousin, Presius. When a few of them caused Presius to embarrass the family enough, Hulle was punished and removed from the line of succession.

Keira didn’t seem to know what started Hulle’s vendetta, but the assumption was that by causing Presius to become disfavored, Hulle would move ahead in the line of succession. Ulvari Novidus, the head of House Novidus, seemed to agree, thus the punishment that was handed down.

What to think of her sponsor’s dark history... were the Grand Games another way to show up his cousin? Ria considered it plausible, but expected that there was more to the story. Hulle seemed well-regarded by the acting student leader for her Order.

The carriage arrived at the estate before Ria could ask about why Hulle was with the Sages of the Nine Circles. Her Order didn't seem the kind that would appeal to a wealthy scion looking to raise his prospects.

“The more I think about you being involved with that guy... You didn't purposefully lose that duel, did you, Ria?” Keira suddenly asked after Guardsman Harvin led the carriage away toward the stables.

“You had another duel? And you’ve gotten yourself involved with a troublemaker from a Greater House?” Jarrel pointedly asked, his attention fully on her.

“Hemse’s muddy boots, Keira!” Ria groaned in frustration. Couldn't the girl have held it in just a bit longer?!

“Ria...” Jarrel warned. “Are you going to tell me about this, or do I need to get daily reports from Young Lady Keira?”

“Fine,” Ria huffed and said with a defiant tone, “I’m not just involved with Hulle Novidus, he’s sponsoring me to the Sages of the Nine Circles in exchange for me competing in the Grand Games.”

“Wait. The Grand Games?” Jarrel asked with wide eyes. “People die competing in the Grand Games.”

Ria gulped. Was it that dangerous? Why would Iselyn have so readily agreed to such a risk?

“He wanted to keep your abilities secret for the Games,” Keira realized. “That’s why he had you lose the duel.”

“That was the main reason,” Ria acknowledged. “He also didn't want constant duels to take time away from my training and practicing with the team. And even better if our opponents don't think I’m a threat.”

Keira’s eyes narrowed. “He forced you to take a hit like that just for an advantage at the Games?”

Seeing Jarrel expression tighten, Ria vigorously shook her head and made a placating motion with her hands. “No, he just recommended a spell failure as the most convincing way for a first-year to lose and told me to do my best to not reveal any new custom spells or that I’m a wild talent. I used earth magic to limit the risk, but Phaelys really was way faster than I expected, and I didn't think a chunk of crystal would move that fast or hit that hard.”

“Of course, he would be fast and powerful! He’s a second-year and a Vesali in the House line-of-succession!” Keira chastised. “You can't compare him to some Ravelle arena nut who isn't even in the House line-of-succession!”

Ria looked away sheepishly.

Jarrel let out a long, frustrated sigh and walked off without saying anything further.

Keira let out a sigh of her own. “He’s really upset, isn't he?”

A twinge of fear twisted at Ria’s heart. “He’s never done that before...”

“Woof...” Ranger agreed, sounding concerned.

“I’m sorry, Ria. It's just that I don't think you understand how much you cause all of us to worry,” Keira muttered and hugged her close. “Come on. Let’s go inside. I promised to help you make enchanted paper. If you use a sparkly one with pink hearts, rainbows, and flowers on it to write Swordmaster Jarrel an apology and tell him how grateful you are for him looking after you, I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.”

Ria snorted and rolled her eyes but couldn't help the corner of her mouth ticking upward at the thought. It wasn't a bad idea, and possible designs were already playing through her mind. Maybe it would be fine. Keira was probably right that he was just really worried for her safety and would calm down with an earnest apology and thanks.

“Rainbows and hearts?” She gave Keira a half-hearted shove which earned her a chuckle from her friend.

Though following along as Keira approached the patiently waiting estate staff, Ria couldn't help glancing after Jarrel in worry.

“Woof?” Ranger asked.

“Sure. But don't annoy him, okay?” Ria allowed, and after a brief nod, Ranger trotted off in the direction Jarrel had gone.

“Welcome back, Young Mistress,” the butler greeted.

“Thank you, Ethan. Is everything well with the estate?” Keira asked.

Ethan gave a small bow. “All is indeed well. Will young Arthur be joining us for dinner?”

“I believe so,” Keira answered then made a noise as if she remembered something. “We should ask Aeri to help with the enchanted paper, too. What do you think, Ria?”

It was a good idea. “I’m sure she’ll find it fun. Is she back from school yet?”

“Young Aeri is currently in her room,” Ethan reported.

“Great. Thanks, Ethan,” Keira said and led everyone into the manor. “I’ll have Miela invite her after I change.”

Miela looked in much better spirits this time as she followed Keira up the stairs. Ria mentally berated herself for messing up with Jarrel again. She trusted him plenty, but constantly having to admit her blunders time after time was too embarrassing!

“Um, Miss Ria?”

“Uh, hello, Ana,” Ria awkwardly replied as the younger girl’s voice brought her back to the present.

The girl was standing politely to the side. “There was a courier delivery for you today. I placed the letter on the desk in your room.”

Oh? Was it from Keira's aunt about the debut event or maybe from Atresia about her mysterious affinity?

At Ana’s nervous fidget, Ria realized she’d left the girl hanging. “Thank you, Ana. I appreciate it. Say, are you free for a while?”

Ana glanced back and received a nod from her dad. “Is there something you’d like me to do for you, Miss Ria?”

Ah, there actually was. “I was thinking to invite you to join us in making pretty enchanted paper, but could I get you to go with one of the guards and pick up some things for me first?”

After a gentle smile and another nod from her dad, Ana eagerly agreed.

Ria produced Shadwich’s ‘initial’ list of foods and medicines for Ranger. Hulle had delivered it before her duel, and supposedly, an even better (and more expensive) list would come later. “Here’s a list of things I need from Tyrilenil’s One-stop Familiar Shop. I also need as much of the prettiest low-quality paper from the Enchanters Guild as you can find. You can keep a silver for yourself, okay?”

Ana’s eyes widened comically upon receiving the list and two gold coins—most likely because of the coins—and the girl nodded that she understood.

“Ah, wait. Arthur might be able to help with the low-quality paper.” Ria found the stone to contact Arthur and sent her energy into it.

Arthur was planning to be done with his work at about the expected time anyway and readily agreed.

Happy to have saved herself a shopping trip, Ria left Ana to her task and hurried upstairs to find out who the letter was from.

Once at her desk, Ria scooped up the letter, and a smile lit her face when she saw the name written on the outside. It was from Leon!

The Magic Knight Academy in Erime started new cadets a month earlier in the year than the Grand Academy started new first-year students. So, she was eager to hear how Leon was doing. Ria broke the seal and started reading.

Greetings Ria!

It’s been a tough but rewarding month. Knight training is a lot different from adventurer training. We bunk as squads of six and have regular schedules, starting early in the morning and training until evening with only a few hours each day for personal time. Though we do get Divinesdays off for attending temple and resting. The people in Erime mostly worship Anasari and are much more religious than in Vorshan's Hills.

I’ve earned my first promotion, to Assistant Squad Leader. At first the younger cadets made fun of me for starting so late and being the “old man” of the squad, but I worked hard and was able to earn their respect. It was also due to your help getting me started with magic.

The magic training here is a lot different than what was in your grimoire. Here, the focus is on casting a few important spells over and over again until they can be successfully cast even while being yelled at or running or fighting. Fast and creative use of a simple spell is valued more highly than slow and unreliable use of a more complex spell. The spells that you designed for me are still serving me well. Thanks!

As an academy for nobles, the food here is much better than the food in Vorshan's Hills. The meals are expensive, but they all are made with magic-infused ingredients and monster parts to help us improve our attunements. The bread and tarts might even be better than what I could make. I’ll have to find out their recipe to send back home.

I hope this letter finds you doing well at the Grand Academy and that you’ve managed to avoid getting in any duels with nobles from the Greater Houses.

Assistant Squad Leader

8th Cadet Squad

Leon of Vorshan’s Hills

Ah! How did he guess about the duels?! Was it that obvious that she would cause trouble? And rather than any duels being with nobles from the Greater Houses... all of her duels were.

Hopefully, the results of her duel today would make her less of a target.

She was still a little peeved about not being able to fight strong opponents, but it wasn't as if she wouldn't get other chances to test herself. She would be at the academy for several years, at least, with the Grand Games twice a year, and Hulle might let her duel again after she participated in the upcoming Summer Games.

Ria shook away the useless thoughts, returning to Leon’s letter. She had been worried about how Leon would do among the nobles, but he was doing great! He was really broadening his horizons, and the money being spent on his tuition might already prove well-spent if his family learns how to bake tastier bread that’s of a quality nobles can enjoy.

“Ready to get started?” Keira asked cheerfully from the entry area of Ria’s suite of rooms, flanked by Miela and Aeri, then huffed at what she saw. “What are you doing just standing there? You’ve not even changed out of your robe!”

“I think what Young Lady Keira meant was, ‘We would be delighted to join you in your endeavor on this lovely evening at your earliest convenience,’” Miela added with amused eyes.

“What?! Why?” Keira objected to her maid.

“You are expecting Ria’s etiquette to improve without a role model?” Miela queried, eyebrow raised.

Keira’s objection was blown away like a forest made of dust. “That... makes a lot of sense. But. But not for today! We can start tomorrow.”

“And your aunt’s tea party this Divinesday?” Miela reminded.

Keira grimaced.

“Lady Asara invited us to another already?” Ria asked with surprise as she unbuttoned her robe and hung it up. Her current shirt was a bit fancy to risk with inks, but whether inks or tea, ideal was not spilling them.

Keira nodded. “It is indeed so. Her letter arrived earlier today. With the Spring Moon Festival the following Divinesday, Aunt Asara is expecting us again this Divinesday to get ready. Arthur is specifically invited this time. She also wants each of us except Iselyn to bring a prospective escort for our debut.”

“Iselyn doesn’t need one?” Ria asked in surprise as she walked over to the low table in her reception room and started laying out the supplies they would need to decorate the paper.

“Apparently, Aunt Asara intends for Iselyn to accompany Cousin Faris,” Keira reported, joining her at the table and sinking comfortably into one of the soft couches. Aeri sat in one of the chairs and thanked Ria for inviting her to help.

“Of course you’re welcome, Aeri.” Ria placed the last few items.

So, that meant the first tea party hosted by Keira’s aunt was to find a partner for Faris and that Iselyn won the competition. The result wasn’t all that surprising with how beautiful Iselyn was and with the great job Ana had done on Iselyn’s hair and make-up. Ria was a little disappointed, since Faris was cute, but was happy for Iselyn.

Surprisingly, Aeri didn’t seem worried about having to find an escort.

“Are you going to be okay with that, Ria? Finding an escort?” Keira asked, sounding a bit leery of the idea.

“Hmm... probably. Though, if you’re that worried about who I might ask, we could simply have Arthur be my escort,” Ria tested on a hunch, and if the slightly panicked look and aborted objection from Aeri were any indication, he was who Aeri was expecting to ask. Keira noticed as well and even Miela had a bit of a smirk. “It might be short notice, but there is someone else from Vorshan’s Hills that might be amusing to ask.”

At Keira’s raised eyebrow, Ria handed over Leon’s letter.

“Oh, Leon!” Keira chuckled, and eagerly began reading the letter.

“Isn’t Leon in Erime?” Aeri asked.

Ria nodded. “Yep. But he gets Divinesdays off just like we do. So, with fast enough transportation, he could come if we asked him.”

While Keira was reading, Ria looked over everything on the table to make sure she wasn’t forgetting anything... lots of paper, pigments she had purchased for making colored inks and paints, her waterstone, a good number of small bowls, angle and circle tools, cleaning rags, and a set of good quality but mundane quills, pens, and brushes.

“I don’t know, Ria. It would be mean to ask him. I doubt he’s ready to deal with the nobles in the capital city, and I’m not sure having him as an escort helps either of us. Not to mention he’d have to rent a horseless carriage and leave the day before to have any hope of arriving in time,” Keira said and handed back the letter. “Does seem like he’s doing well though.”

“Yeah, I thought so, too,” Ria agreed.

“Everything ready?” Keira asked.

Ria shrugged. “I think so, unless you can think of any other methods you want to try?”

“Pressing flowers is a common method for decoratively staining the paper, and considering the season...” Keira suggested motioning to the balcony.

Ria’s eyes followed to the garden, beautifully in full bloom. “Oh! That’s a great idea!”

“I wouldn’t mind collecting a variety and preparing a floral tea as well, if that is desirable,” Miela offered.

Keira gave Miela a smile. “You have our thanks, Miela.”

“Um, Young Lady Keira said we’re making Enchanted paper,” Aeri spoke up as Miela was slipping out of the room.

“That’s right,” Ria confirmed.

“Is it really okay for me to help?” Aeri asked, looking a little intimidated by the expensive materials on the table.

“Yep. First, we cut each sheet into letter size. Then, after we decorate the paper and make it look fancier, festive, seasonal, and such, I’m going to use a clear ink to enchant each one to glow and sparkle.” Ria grinned a big grin as she explained and motioned from the stacks of scroll paper to the stacks of normal paper. “We can use this inexpensive non-magical paper to experiment and practice, so we can even do paintings with colored ink washes! It’ll be fun!”

With Aeri’s last hesitations dealt with, they excitedly dug into to plain paper, prepared their inks and began their competition to come up with the most fun designs.

When Miela returned, she and Keira demonstrated how to use a rolling tool to press the color from the flower and leaves into the paper. The colorful flower teas that Miela made also doubled as pigmented washes that added both color and a floral scent to the paper.

By the time Ana returned with Arthur, the newly purchased stacks of scroll paper were a welcome sight as most of her previously purchased stock of low-quality scroll paper was already decorated and placed haphazardly around the room to dry.

“Wow! Everything looks so pretty!” Ana exclaimed at the colorful sight. Her new helper was practically jumping up and down with excitement when asked to join in.

Ria showed Arthur the design for the enchantment and once everyone was settled in she sat down at her desk with her everflow quill to give a more serious effort to sketching out ideas for Jarrel’s apology letter. Earlier she had made several attempts, even Keira’s idea of rainbows, hearts, and flowers, but they all just felt... fake—as if she were trying to make a ‘get out of trouble’ card. She was going about this wrong.

Taking a different tack, she thought back over things Jarrel liked or things that made him happy. He was rather pleased when they found the swords and armor in Shadewood... and when enjoying his mom’s feasts. Also, when he talked about Rella and his son. Family. That was what made him happy.

Unbidden, a memory of Jarrel’s goofy grin when receiving that first healing scroll from her came to the fore, and she cringed at the growing suspicion of what she needed to draw. He hadn’t been expecting a scroll then, no he was expecting a silly ‘Jarrel is the best!’ drawing.

Drawing something like that... She was 13 years old now! And a war hero! Could she really do it?

Checking in with Ranger, she confirmed that Jarrel was still meditating in the wind attunement section of the garden, and would occasionally get up to swing his sword and then sit down again to resume meditating.

Ugh. If he was mad enough to be that focused on his training... there wasn’t much choice was there?

Her dismayed groan prompted Keira to laugh and ask if she needed help.

No way! There was no way she was letting anyone see this!

Now that she had a direction, it only took a few tries to come up with the needed drawing.

She drew a barbarian Jarrel with his swords and mammoth cloak. Next to Jarrel, she drew Ranger and a witch just like her Festival of Fear costume. The three of them traveling under a moon and stars.

The result was good, but it was missing the part that said family.

Adding Jarrel’s parents was the key, but trying to do a feast to the side just made them feel separate—as if she didn’t feel a part of his family.

There was only one solution. But if this was a Jarrel is Best! drawing, then Grandpa Orlan and Grandma Fana needed to look heroic too.

Ria drew Grandpa Orlan as he looked when he escorted her to Captain Bastach in the middle of the night to report the discovery of the shapeshifter—larger-than-life while wearing an apron, a lantern in one hand and a huge cleaver resting against his shoulder.

Granma Fana, she drew proud and imposing with a beautiful shawl and primly-proper dress.

When she was done, they looked like a family of heroes.

“Wow. That’s much better than my idea,” Keira appraised from over her shoulder.

“Wha-?!” If Ria wasn’t using her everflow quill, she surely would have spilled her inkwell when Keira spoke, but Keira wasn’t the only one of her friends lurking over her shoulders.

“It looks childish, but it’s really well done,” Arthur critiqued.

“I think it’s good too. It was fun watching you draw it,” Aeri added. Ugh... how long had they been watching?!

And Ana rounded it out with, “Is that your family?”

Faced with Ana’s innocent question and curiosity, Ria had no choice but to embrace her work, even if she wanted to be mad at the others for sneaking up on her to peek. “Yup. Jarrel took care of me when I became an orphan and those are Jarrel’s parents.”

“Oh! I had no idea!” Ana looked worried about having stepped into an unwelcome topic, but when no one seemed offended, she ventured, “They look so strong. I wish I could draw my family like that.”

“Why don’t we do one of your family then?” Ria immediately offered with a grin. This was the perfect chance to do something nice for Ana.

Ana was ecstatic, and drawing her family turned into an amusing project as the girl grabbed her brother and sister and parents, each in turn, to be sketched and then made heroic.

When dinner came, Jarrel didn’t join. Ria couldn’t help the knot that formed in her stomach, but Ranger confirmed he and Jarrel were still meditating in the garden. Ranger added that Jarrel would occasionally get up and swing his sword at leaves but miss.

Weird. Rather than him training because he was mad at her. Had she worried him enough that he was trying to unlock his inner energy again?

She’d have to take him some food later together with the apology letter that had turned into a thank-you painting. Though, the thought of handing him the painting to look at while she was there made her face redden to the tips of her ears, prompting teasing queries from Keira about what boy at the academy she was thinking about. As if!

No, delivering the letter in person was too embarrassing after all, and after finishing her dinner, she took a tray of food up to Jarrel’s room. She left the finished painting on his desk, next to the food.

Her task done, she returned to her room to finish making the enchanted paper together with the girls and Arthur—they kicked Arthur out once it got late, and one by one, they all ended up sleeping on her bed enveloped in a scroll-generated stamina barrier.

Ria nervously risked a peek into Jarrel’s room the following morning, but her protector was already gone. Her embarrassing painting was now plainly visible, proudly tacked to the wall above the desk for all to see, its night-sky twinkling with stars and lit by a faintly glowing moon.