The worst part is, if I try to argue with her it will only reinforce the image that I am crazy. Anything I say will only make the others believe Ruby's story even more. So I do my best to ignore them and enjoy my food, but their laughter is hard to ignore.

Myria says "Ash, are you sulking?"

"No, I am just trying to enjoy my food and ignore Ruby's wild tales!"

Ruby says "Wild tales? Can you deny that any of this happened?"

"No, it did happen. Just not the way you describe it. I am not that reckless!"

Myria says "You are that reckless! We have all seen it with our own eyes!"

Isabella says "I agree! I haven't adventured with you much but even I have seen how reckless you can be. You even charged into the middle of a bunch of enemies when you saved me!"

"That wasn't reckless! If anything, can't you call that being brave?"

Ruby says "Being brave is doing something despite the fear. You have no fear when you act, that is recklessness."

"It is not that I don't know fear, I just know my capabilities. When I am against opponents that can't easily harm me I just go ahead and move without hesitating. When I am against strong opponents then I am much more cautious."

Ruby says "Then how do you explain the fight against Drog?"

"First off, when we started that fight we had a plan, it just fell apart. Secondly, there was no other path, we had to defeat him. Some fights just cannot be avoided."

Myria says "That is a valid point, but let's end this here. There is no need to turn this into a fight. Not after the two of you have finally started to get along again."

Ruby says "Sorry, I got a little carried away."

"It's okay, I'm sorry too."

Everyone stays quiet for the remainder of dinner, but it is a friendly kind of quiet. Once dinner is done and Windy, Haku, and Ekard are put to bed, we start talking again. This time it is just general chit chat, no one brings up anything serious.

"Tomorrow night there is going to be a party to announce my new position as a Duke. Sarah is going with me since she is the one who actually does all the work here in Illium. The rest of you are welcome to come, but I don't think you would enjoy it very much."

Myria says "Why is that?"

"Because it won't really be fun. It will just be a bunch of nobles preening and posturing. Last time they all kept trying to talk to me just so they could say that they had. I wouldn't be going if I didn't have to."

Myria says "That doesn't sound very fun. I think I will stay and watch the kids."

Isabella says "I think I will skip the party too."

Ruby says "I want to go!"

Isabella says "Ruby, you will have to keep your temper and behave!"

Ruby says "I can do that!"

Myria says "Even if the male nobles try flirting with you?"

Ruby says "Yes!"

Isabella says "What if they simply try to hire you for a night?"

Ruby says "Then they die!"

Myria says "Then you create a huge mess for Ash and Sarah to clean up!"

Ruby says "Um, maybe you are right. I guess I should skip the party as well."

Isabella says "That would probably be wise."

Ruby says "Fine! We will all stay here and watch the kids!"

"If that is what you have decided, then I can't say I blame you. In fact I am rather jealous, I would rather stay and play with the kids!"

Myria says "This is the price you pay for doing so many impressive things!"

Isabella says "Too bad I can't summon a mimic to send in your place!"

"That would be awesome! Can you work on that? It would be really useful in the future!"

Isabella says "I would need to increase my level to be able to have another summon."

"If you are hinting that you want permission to go adventuring, then you have it."

Isabella says "Don't we need to stick around until you go to the temple of fire with Ruby?"

"There is no set schedule for that yet. So there is no point in you sitting around waiting. As long as you are in the vicinity of Illium then it should be fine."

Isabella says "Good! Ruby has been getting bored, and that isn't safe!"

Ruby says "I'm not that bad!"

Isabella says "In some ways you are worse than Ash!"

Ruby says "How am I worse than Ash?!"

Isabella says "For one thing, you lose your temper much quicker than he does!"

Myria says "For another, he may be dense but he still pays more attention to others than you do."

Ruby looks astonished, and even more so when she realizes that she can't really argue. After a bit she excuses herself and leaves, hopefully to do a little self-reflection. Shortly after that the three of us head to join Windy and the kids in bed.

As usual in the morning I am pinned in place until Sarah calls everyone to breakfast. Surprisingly, Ambrose shows up along with breakfast, something must have happened. It works for me since I was planning on going to see him after breakfast anyway.

"What's up, Ambrose?"

Ambrose says "We got word back from our people. The empire is opening a new mine, and they are moving a lot of people to it."

"Any military movement?"

Ambrose says "No, not that was mentioned. Why?"

"Why is it that we haven't started mining yet?"

Ambrose says "Because we were preparing ways to handle the beasts."

"Right, but what if Pine didn't get that information?"

Ambrose says "Then the empire wouldn't know! They will just dig straight in without any precautions!"

"Right, that's why I asked about military movement."

Ambrose says "Should we warn them?"

"Why would we? Who do you think will get the blame if anything goes wrong?"

Ambrose laughs and says "Pine will!"

"Exactly! Besides, if you aren't worried about a diplomatic incident this may be an opportunity."

Ambrose says "What do you mean?"

"If the empire creates an opening then all the beasts should be attracted to it. If we move quietly we may be able to safely mine while the empire distracts them."

Ambrose says "Huh, that's not a half bad idea. I will call a guildmaster meeting and discuss the possibilities with them. If you will excuse me?"

"Are you really going to run off without enjoying breakfast?"

Ambrose says "Good point! I'm sure it can wait a little longer!"

So Ambrose joins us for breakfast, he makes sure to remind me about the party before leaving. It isn't like I had forgotten about it, but I can't blame him since I would avoid it if I could. If he is calling a meeting that means I can't go visit Borrik until after it is over.

The meeting should take at least an hour or two, which means I have a bit of free time. I could go visit the blacksmiths, but I want more time than just a few hours. So instead I decide to spend some time playing with Ekard and Haku.