Chapter 16

Next thing I know was that I am waking up in a small but comfortable bed covered by a couple white blankets which I took off as I woke up. I turned my head and noted that there was a bucket-load full of puke besides my bed. I also noted that I was very very hungry but the first food that I thought of was the Sloan of yesterday which made my appetite go away. Don't get me wrong; I was still very very hungry. After being mildly disturbed by the bucket and its contents I got out of bed, my clothes were on a chair at the other end of the room next to the door. My eyes felt kinda sleepy still so I rubbed my eyes and yawned as I stretched out while standing up. It was a good morning, the temperature was just right and the sunlight was coming in through the windows.

I finally felt my senses returning to me and with it the memories of the day before. By the time I remembered getting drunk and falling asleep almost instantly my face had grown serious. Next I was worried and quickly checked my clothes on the chair to check if everything was still there including the mana-shields and such. I opened my jacket and was relieved to see that there were no mana-shields missing. I then picked out the mana-shield that had broken down during the Thornwolverine assault and some tools from my bag and put them on the desk.

Fixing things always helped me clear my mind. I was starting to get a massive headache. I had heard about these things from my father once and later I saw him have it too. After mom died he went and drank a lot one night and the next morning he was groaning while grabbing his head.

Later that day he turned to me and Isabella and said: 'Do not ever over drink! EVER!'

Now that I was experiencing similar symptoms I couldn't help but agree.

My countenance dropped a little as I was thinking of my father again. So I sat down at the desk and started disassembling the mana-shield as I had done a couple times over the past weeks. This was however the first time that I was going to replace a mana-battery. I felt as if I was floating instead of sitting in the chair and my head-ache was very bad so I supported my head with my left arm as I continued tinkering with my right hand. It wasn't very hard to disassemble if you knew what you were doing. After removing the outer-shell I removed the protection layer and the anti-conduction layer. I then swirled some mana and put it in place of where the mana-battery was. This was the tedious part. I had to continuously add mana to it till it was filled up. The first time that I charged a mana battery it took me over an hour because I kept losing my concentration.

I wonder how Isabella is doing; she had made a friend and she had always been quite independent. Still, I miss her overly social behaviour. I chuckled a bit remembering all the times that I dreaded having her around and all the times that she would jump into my lab distracting me by asking about all the things that she could find. As I was charging up the mana battery I decided to check the database to see if there was any Intel on my sister. As I pressed and held the search button I said 'Isabella Kirkwall' and the search started.

I had found and read the manual for the bracelet and the database. There is far more that I can do with it than I had previously thought. With it I can temporarily shape soft metals into any shape. I haven't found many uses for that function yet but it came in quite handy if I needed a spoon, knife and or fork... or a backscratching device. Maybe I can find some information on metals in the database.

Ping, a sound came from the bracelet signaling that it had completed it search. There was only one file specifically about Isabella Kirkwall, there was a long version and a summary. The long version included how the information was acquired, when exactly every single action or situation occurred in short there was a lot of unnecessary information compiled into the longer version file so I selected the summary:

'After Frank and Yoran Kirkwall's disappearance due to hostilities from the Dragoon Riders and Jin entering Joren through the mountains with the Dragoon Riders assistance the royal family fled leaving Isabella Kirkwall to take the reign temporarily.'

Wow, so Isabella has become queen. It didn't surprise me much though. I had expected the king to hide. Due to the many assassinations in the past few generations it had become protocol to keep the main family's royalty in hiding during war times while having a lower member of the royalty on the throne to ensure the continuation of the monarchy.

It is quite a strange situation now. I lifted my head as I reminisced of the times past. Not long ago we were all eating together, staying together. Within such a short time frame we now have a queen, an undercover agent for the Ancients and a diplomat turned traitor in our little family. I miss mom. She had always been there to keep us together, we were the blockheads and she was the glue that bound us together. After she died Isabella tried to fill in the emptiness that she had left but the size of the hole left in our hearts and our family was too big for any of us to fill.

My head hurts, my stomach hurts from hunger, my throat is parched and now my heart aches too.

The mana-battery was almost full so I left it as is. It won't function at a full 100% but it'll do; there are back-ups. So I reassembled the parts after which I put it back inside my jacket.

I was still in my pajamas so I changed clothes and put on my dragoon rider armor again. I also searched for metallurgy in the database with the bracelet specifically the soft metal but there was so much to find that it was still searching even after I had already changed clothes.

I then looked around making sure that I hadn't forgotten anything. I saw that I had left my tools on the table so I packed them in my bag put the bag on my shoulder and walked to the door.

I grabbed the door handle and tried to turn it but it didn't budge, then I tried pulling, pushing. Nothing worked. Ping, the database had finished its search. I automatically took a look and saw an interesting file on how to make soft metal as strong as hard metal. It described a technique of folding metal while heating it thus aligning the parts into a stronger structure. I took out my fork and a tool that I had and changed the fork into the tool in my other hand. Then I hit both of 'm against one another and the one that had been a fork bent immediately. Then I tried the folding. It took more effort and time. I wasn't able to make a precise representation but that wasn't very important yet, I was trying to test its hardness. I hit both of 'm again and this time the softer metal held up beautifully. I put back my tool in my backpack and my fork in my pocket. I was going to practice that more later. I checked the door handle again but it seemed to be locked shut.

'oh well.' I said; I had noted that the lock was made of a soft metal so I adjusted it with my bracelet unlocking it. I laughed; 'that is nice'. I then went through the doorway and entered the hallway which went left to right. I looked right and saw stairs going up at the end of the hallway, to the left were the stairs that winded down to the floors below. I went to the left and down the stairs. I thus entered another hall-way that I went through. It opened up to the dining area that I had previously eaten at. Angela was standing at the counter staring aimlessly at the front door obviously bored.

'Hi Angela.' I said as I walked in. I then saw her surprised face.

'Ah you're awake!' She said with a smile. Wasn't expecting it to be a genuine smile. The door was locked so I had assumed that she had wanted to lock me up. Maybe I should retract that assumption.

'Why was my door locked?' I asked inquisitively.

'That was so that nobody would bother you in your sleep and to keep thieves out.' She said the last bit a lot louder as she turned to the kitchen.

'I wasn't stealing! Just looking' said a voice from the kitchen.

'My father helped me bring you upstairs and after putting you in bed he came down with your devices. He had no idea that you were an Ancient.' she said while giving me a meaningful look.

'I see' is all I could say. A rather young looking man came out of the kitchen looking at me with a smile. 'Hi my name is Richard; I must first apologize for taking your stuff without asking. I made sure to lock the door so that no guests would accidentally stumble upon your stuff. It is still quite early so we hadn't thought you'd be up already.'

I was still unsure what to say. Perceiving this Richard continued; 'Shall I get you something to eat perhaps? Please have a seat.'

My stomach growled loudly in return. 'Can I also get something to drink, water perhaps.' recalling what happened yesterday I glared at Angela. Noticing this Angela replied; 'Hey, I didn't think you were going to drink it all up in one go. Nor did I know that you were so bad at holding your liquor.'

I simply sighed. Given their hospitality and it was kind of my own fault I couldn't help but forgive. 'Seeing as I threw up so often I might actually be the one that should apologize.' I said with a slight grin signaling to Angela that it was forgiven and forgotten. I then went and sat at the nearest table.

Richard came back with a cup and a jug filled with water which I gladly accepted. I poured it into the glass and quickly started drinking.

'So what would you want for breakfast? Some sloan perhaps?' said Richard to which I replied by spouting out the water in my mouth; 'NO!' I said while looking at him all wide-eyed.

'HAHAHAHA!' Richard laughed loudly with his deep voice to the point where I could feel it in my bones. I quickly started feeling that it was funny too and chuckled a bit at the hearty laughter of Richard.

'I am sorry' Richard exclaimed his face was booming with a big smile; 'I just had to make that joke after hearing what happened yesterday. I hope I didn't offend you.' He calmed down considerably. Though his cheeks were still red from laughing so hard he made quite a serious face as he asked if I wasn't offended.

'Its fine, I just want to eat normal food.' I replied.

'Well I don't know what the Ancients regard as normal food.' Richard replied as he slight nudged his head sideways and looked at me with half-open eyes.

'hmm' I hummed while in thought. Honestly I hadn't payed much attention to Boren and Mys Tara regarding what they ate as Ancients so I had no idea what Ancients normally ate. 'Let me see what you have in your kitchen, maybe I'll recognize some of it.' I said as I stood up.

'Okay, just don't throw up while you are in the kitchen. It'd be troublesome to clean it up again.' Richard said as he smiled at me playfully before turning around. Angela was still smiling about the Sloan joke that her dad pulled off. Then a guest came in whom she quickly attended to as I went with Richard into the kitchen. There were some counters made with white granite slabs with gutters made out of wood as a lining around the counter-tops. Probably so that Richard could easily clear the kitchen table when he had to prepare a different dish from before. Then Richard went past the counter to the left and opened a door. 'Here is where I keep the ingredients.'

Through the door I saw a hole in the ground. 'You keep your ingredients underground?' I asked.

'Yes of course, its so that they keep cool and well preserved.' Richard replied as he went ahead and jumped down the hole. I hesitantly followed after him and jumped down as well. I landed on a thick pillow breaking my fall for which I was thankful. When I looked around I saw that the storage area was many times bigger than the Inn. Everything was neatly lined up in wooden boxes and light was provided by lightning bugs that flew around.

'Won't those lightning bugs eat up your food?' I asked

'Nope these are carnivorous lightning bugs that eat any pest that enters so be careful of pestering me.

I sighed and let down my head, I thought it was a funny but very silly pun and didn't want Richard to see me laugh about it. Though I don't exactly know why I didn't want that. Then as I remembered what I was here for I looked up and looking from left to right I could see that everything was just placed everywhere randomly. There was no order to it at all.

'Where do I start?' I asked as I turned my gaze to Richard.

'Well for that you would need to tell me what you feel like eating.' he replied.

'Well any fruit would do, my stomach has been quite upset the past couple days so that would probably be best.' I answered as I pursed my lips making a thinking expression.

'Fruits? I don't have many of those; actually just have one box.' Richard answered as he went a couple rows to the left and started walking down that aisle. I followed him Richard stopped at a big red box that was sealed off.

'Here it is. Not many around here eat fruit so this sealed box hasn't ever been opened these past months but they should still be edible.'

'I would like to try them.' I said.

'But if I open it then they'll go bad faster so you'll have to eat up as much as possible after I open it up regardless of how much you like it okay.' Richard said.

Already regretting my decision Richard swiftly unsealed the box after which a sweet aroma was spread out from the box. Richard could be seen holding his nose saying 'Ah what a gross smell don't you think.'

'I think it smells nice' I said somewhat surprised by Richards reaction to this awesome sweet smell that seemed to really permeate the air. I then reached and grabbed one of the fruits. They were round and the stem was shaped strangely. I tried biting into it but it was too hard.

'hahaha' Richard was laughing again with his deep voice. 'You have to push the stem and remove the shell before you can eat it.' he said while laughing.

So then I pushed the stem which caused the shell to split in 4 after which I could pull of the stem easily which also took away the top half of the shell opening up the front. Inside the shell was a shiny red fruit which I put into my mouth. It tasted sweet but it wasn't overly sweet. It was kind of like candy but instead of making your mouth all sticky it was refreshing. It also helped lessen my thirst. I was instantly addicted. After eating just that one I took another one; pushed the stem, pulled it out and ate the fruit. Repeating this process continually. After a bit I got skilled at peeling off the shell and with almost superhuman speed I ate the fruits till I was filled.

Richard was quite surprised at my enthusiasm and speed of eating them after which he gave it a try himself. He slowly pushed the top after which more sweet smell came off of the fruit. When he pulled off the top part by the stem the smell seemed to have become unbearable for him so he gave me his fruit urging me to take it quickly. He was slightly wheezing. It seems that Tamarin really aren't used to sweet stuff.

'A sloan is much much better than this sweet stuff.' Richard said as he pulled away from the box.

'I'll be upstairs if you need anything; I'll probably have to prepare something for that guest who just came in.' Richard said as he had thought of the perfect excuse to flee form the sweet aromas that started to fill the area.

I simply glanced over my shoulder as I saw him walk away after which I quickly focused on eating the next fruit. I hadn't eaten in a while and this is definitely the best thing I've ever eaten. Though it could just be exaggerated due to the lack of food from the last couple days. Or it could be because the last food I came in touch with was that gross Sloan thing.

As I was mindlessly eating away I failed to notice that Angela had come downstairs. It seems that Richard didn't want to have to endure the smell anymore so he sent Angela to get the ingredients for whatever it was that he was making. Angela showed a similar reaction of disgust after having noticed the sweet smells from the fruits. I just kept eating them while showing an innocent face as I looked towards Angela. After confirming her disgust I turned back to the fruit only to see that I had finished over half of its contents. I then noted that my stomach felt like it was going to burst so I stood up from my kneeling position and waddled towards the exit. Angela had gathered the ingredients and jumped up through the hole to the doorway up above. It seems like they didn't bother making stairs since the Tamarin have good jumping capabilities already. Having filled my stomach to the brim I jumped but failed. I had gained too much weight and my muscles had always been underdeveloped so there was no way for me to jump up all the way. I wasn't worried though. There was no hurry and there were still plenty of fruit here to eat.

'Hey, I'm stuck can you guys help me?' I called out upstairs. After a moment Richard looked over the edge immediately holding his nose again and he said. 'with that smell you'll just scare off all the customers so please stay down there till the smell wears off.'

Having seen Richard and Angela's reactions I understood his reasoning. 'But then what should I do down here. I'll be bored.' I said back to Richard.

'What about tidying up the storage room?' Richard replied. 'It isn't ordered correctly; everything is all over the place so maybe you want to help with that as a repayment of staying at our place and eating that entire box of fruits.'

I adamantly went back into the storage. I pulled out my bracelet and scanned the contents of each box to find out what was in them thus making a map of what was to be found in the storage. After mapping it out I set the meats with the meats, the vegetables with the vegetables and I put the fruits in a separate place and sealed it back up as best I could. It was a lot of work but it was relatively easy to do plus it was good to pass the time with. After finishing up I went to the opening again and called up again 'I'm done, can I come up now? I need to wash myself.' I had sweated a lot and it had been quite a while since I last washed myself.

Richard peeked over the edge again and after noting that he didn't need to hold his nose again just said 'sure, jump on up.'

I tried and failed, I couldn't even reach the edge with my arms stretched out.

'Oh, so that is why you couldn't.' Richard said. He then went and got a rope and let it down. I then held onto the rope first making sure that Richard had it fastened and that he held it tightly. Then I started climbing up as best I could as I pulled myself up with my arms as I walked the wall on my feet. It was still very tough but not as impossible as jumping up and down. Plus if I fell there would still be the pillow to break my fall.

I had a full stomach, worked a sweat and after washing myself I felt all refreshed. The day had gone by quite quickly and after warming up around the fireplace hearing about the stories of Richard and his childhood we all went to bed. I hadn't had such a great time for a long time. The family atmosphere helped relieve my soul of some of its burden. When my mothers life was taken by the assassins I thought that life was over. Life wasn't over; it still continued but it was never the same. Until now. I guess one only truly feels alive when you're with family. With those thoughts I fell asleep with a smile on my face. I was happy here.