After some whispering between the girls during which Liana’s parents finished the remainder of their own preparations for the evening. Just having seen her friends the day before she didn’t expect anything new to have arisen but Evelyn gave of a tense air. She was gonna inquire further on that in a bit, once they weren’t as surrounded by grown-ups.

The group that had now grown to over ten individuals moved down the flight of stairs to pick up the two younger siblings of Cora which had been entertained by a not nearly responsible enough older brother, outside until now.

They all were going to accompany the three girls as both a sort of honorary entourage as well as to get acquainted with the higher society of Land’s Fall - the third-largest city of the region.

The slightly muddy kids were quickly ushered upstairs to remove some of the grime in their clothes while the rest of the party got the last finishing touches done and entered the carriage.

Contrary to the more common and practical method of traveling by foot, which allowed for many shortcuts and general ease of getting around, they had decided on making a good impression by renting a drawn carriage for the occasion. They would be driven to their destination further into the city in comfort at the detriment of speed.

“I wish Roe was here too, he would totally enjoy this,” Liana began trying to initiate a conversation with Evelyn, who looked even more nervous than just a few minutes ago.

“How is your brother doing anyway. I haven’t seen him in forever. He used to visit you a lot more frequently. I bet he would though. I am really looking forward to it as well,”

“So why do you seem so nervous. Are you ok?” Liana asked at which point Cora leaned in as well, joining their conspiratorial whispers.

“I asked her too early, she wouldn’t tell me what is bothering her,” Cora said.

“Ohh yes, sorry about that. Well, it is kinda unrelated and I wanted to tell you both at the same time,” and then with a smile growing on her face and a sing-songy voice, she continued. “I unlocked my trait today.”

After a lot of prodding, giggling, and excitement the girls had gotten over their initial reactions and marveled at the words in Evelyn’s box. Though like all good things, that too had come to an end as the carriage driver whistled and the pulling animals came to a stop.

As a cohesive unit, they exited the drawn vehicle, expecting some sort of reception. They didn’t get one, at least not immediately. The drop-off place the driver had brought them to was in front of a wrought iron fence, with mounted spikes on top and adornments of all kinds in between. A few meters away a large gate stood open, attended by a group of two armed soldiers and two unarmed impressively dressed people.

“I am sorry sir but I think you have dropped us off at the wrong place,” Evelyn’s father began, with a for Liana indecipherable expression on his face. Not that she really cared. Her, as well as her friends and their siblings, were too impressed by the large manor they were standing in front of.

Lanterns illuminated the oddest formations all around the house in weird colors. Plants none of them had seen beforehand grew alongside tiled paths depicting fantastical scenes. So she barely paid attention to the coachman’s response.

“I beg your pardon but I have been instructed by the manor butler to drop you off at the garden entrance. They said it would make for a more pleasant arrival, that would be less stuffy for the children not used to the conduct of the upper crust. Please forgive my paraphrasing but I was very busy with navigating around the various pedestrians to properly remember their wording,” their expression gave the distinct impression that they wouldn’t have bothered to really listen to the explanation in the first place and just wanted to get the job over with.

Each of the grown-ups had a slightly different reaction to that statement. Facial expression ranging from amusement to annoyance but not looked angry or surprised. Cora’s brother Jano went as far as outright barking a laugh.

“Rich people, ay,” he said good-naturedly. A grin appears on most of the older generation, including the coachman.

“Well, let’s get going. I heard they have some of the good wines here. A friend of mine got to deliver some

“You will not be drinking young man, or you might as well sleep outside tonight. I’ll not clean up the mess you make again,” Cora’s mother interjected as quick as sound.

“Ohh come on mom. I got the poison resistance skill a couple of weeks ago. It’ll be training and the alcohol won’t influence me nearly as much as it otherwise might,” Jano said.

“That is even more reason why you shouldn’t. How do you think poison leaves your body with that skill? Not very thick up there are you. Let’s hope your siblings are a bit quicker the time they reach your age. I want all of you on best behavior tonight and make sure your brother doesn’t drink. Let’s go,” Cora’s mother ended the conversation by turning around and walking to the gate. Not before Liana could see a smile appearing on her face.

Her son on the other hand was staring at her back with a chalk-white face and gaping mouth.

“No, it doesn’t. It doesn't, right? Moom!!” growing more irate with each word.

“Pretty sure it is level 4 when alcohol stops having an effect on you. Better not pick a class that includes poison resistance,” Jano’s father said.

Jep, Cora’s mom is terrifying, she is right. I don’t even know what she is laughing about. Worriedly she threw a glance at her own parents but they had started talking and laughing for themselves with Evelyn’s aunt.

After the group had calmed down a bit their parents led them towards the guards around the gate and introduced themselves and their group. A scribe had appeared from the little house adjourning the gate to take the names of Liana, Cora, and Evelyn and mark them as present.

With apparently little care for further security, they just did a brief check for concealed weapons before sending them on their way.

“I implore you to please stay on the path, it is there for a reason,” and after a brief pause, Liana knew it to be one for dramatic effect because her teacher always did the same he continued. “The Landlord keeps some fascinating vegetation, but her tastes are as obscure as they are dangerous. They are known for more carnivorous instincts.”

Most of the children shuddered in response to the proclamation, eying each other warily.

“You heard the man, let’s get moving.”