“To Letty and Regis!” The rest of the gang repeated with the crowd joining in with their own variant of the congratulation.

“Not bad,” Letty whispered over to Regis as the crowd congratulated them. “Your speech was a bit corny, but you get bonus points for your improvisation skills.”

“Thanks, love.” He chuckled as he looked back at the Landwaker tree, noticing a single red apple amongst the many golden ones.

He reached out and picked the red fruit that seemed to have a somewhat prismatic quality to its skin as it faintly glowed in several different hues. Casting charlatan’s wisdom on the apple revealed something quite unexpected to him, Letty watching him intently as he stood there silently for a moment.

{Prismatic Landwaker’s Prime Fruit}

{Item rarity: rare}

{Item quality: decent}

{Consumable}

{This apple is the prime fruit born from the local Prismatic Landwaker tree. While it lacks any elemental affinity, consuming it for the first time will increase your physique and spirit attributes by one. Each Prismatic Landwaker can only produce one Prime Fruit at a time.}

“I guess this one’s for me,” Regis said while putting the apple inside his satchel with his left hand, his right hand picking a golden yellow apple which he handed over to Letty. “What are you waiting for? It won’t pick itself.”

His companions walked closer bolstered by his words, helping to pick the fruits which were then cut into quarters and put on wooden trays for the townsfolk to try. The dark elf cast charlatan’s wisdom on a golden apple to see how different its description was compared to the one he had in his satchel.

{Landwaker’s harvest}

{Item rarity: uncommon}

{Item quality: decent}

{Consumable/Crafting material}

{This apple is the gift born from the local Landwaker tree. While it lacks any elemental affinity, consuming it will restore five point’s worth of arcana and health as well as grant you the ‘well fed’ and ‘rested’ status.}

‘Looks like it does indeed have the restorative properties we hoped it would,’ Regis thought to himself. ‘And more importantly, it doesn’t mention the type or the Landwaker in the description. I’ve read that even some ordinary Landwakers have such restorative traits, so it wouldn’t be too suspicious even if someone sells a piece.’ His thoughts were interrupted by Letty, the wood elf grabbing his hand somewhat worried.

“Is something wrong?” She asked, earning a slight head shake from the dark elf.

“No, I was just deep in thought there for a moment.”

“About…”

“I checked the fruit with charlatan’s wisdom and there’s no mention of the tree’s type.”

“Oh,” she sighed relieved. “That’s good, right?”

“It is,” he nodded while handing over the ripe golden apple. “It also mentions that the apple can restore five points worth of arcana and health as well. I guess both you and Fabien will have a new ingredient to experiment with.”

“Enough with the lovey-dovey whispers between you too”, Regis felt something crash into him as Cruz stepped between him and Letty while holding a comically large-sized tankard. “It’s celebration time!”

“How many of those did you have already?” Letty asked as she looked at her sister worried.

“Three, maybe four, but don’t worry. This thing’s barely stronger than tap water.”

“Just make sure we won’t have to drag your unconscious body back home like last time.”

“I wasn’t unconscious,” Cruz protested. “I was just resting my eyes.”

“Sure, sure.” The loremaster laughed as he was pulled to the side by a familiar face.

“Congratulations, man!” Khan said before punching him in the shoulder. “And also, fuck you! If Valerie didn’t drop by with that Nina chick for some quick delivery at Rust-well Keep, we wouldn’t have even known that you guys had a party in the making here.”

“What matters is that you’re here,” Regis said as he regained his bearings, handing over a golden apple to the Mongol youth. “You better try it while there’s still anything left to try!”

“Sure thing,” the young blade-dancer grabbed the apple, taking a bite. “Damn, this thing tastes like honey with a hint of lemon. It would make some awesome booze.

“What have you got there handsome?” They heard as Celine, the dark elf woman from Khan’s new team walked by, taking a bite from the apple he was holding.”

“This is delicious,” she declared while chewing. “You lucked out with this tree. The last time I ate a Landwaker fruit, it tasted like soggy cardboard with a hint of apple vinegar.”

“Yeah,” Regis sighed as he tried to change the subject. “It nearly cost us an arm and leg to get it, but it was a good trade. Anyway, how are you lot doing? It’s been weeks since I’ve last seen you.”

“Oh you know,” Khan shrugged. “Just the usual. We hunted some bandits, the undead and dangerous wildlife. We’re being paid well and treated fairly, all thanks to Celine’s negotiating skills and the gang’s agreement to stay neutral. No favours or personal dealings with the nobility.”

“None at all?” The spell weaver asked with his eyebrows slightly raised.

“Your case is a bit different,” Celine interjected. “It’s strictly business and has no repercussion to other nobles. You got our gear upgraded and we deliver any Shardwaker marks we get from the bandits we take out. A simple trade.”

“And besides,” Khan cleared his throat after the last bite from the apple went awry. “I’d rather have you get those sigils than the other nobles. At least you know how to make the most of them.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Regis chuckled as he noticed Fabien wave at him from afar. “Anyway, enjoy the festival to your heart’s content. Looks like I’m needed elsewhere. Have fun!”

Saying that he headed toward the infernal young man, barely reaching him before Fabien sliced off a piece of meat from the boar they were roasting.

“Try this,” Fabien said curtly. “Do you think it needs anything else?”

“Nope,” the spell weaver shook his head after trying the roasted pork. “It tastes good. Did you have a chance to taste the Landwaker fruit yet?”

“I did,” the infernal confirmed. “It tasted really good and the effects it had were also something else. I can’t wait to get my hands on a few of them and see what I can cook with them.”

“I’m not sure we’ll have anything left by the end of the festival, but we’ll get you some to experiment with when the next batch ripens.”

“Thanks for that. By the way, have you seen my sister somewhere?”

“I’ve seen her bringing a tankard over to Quentin a few minutes ago., but I have no idea where they are now.”

“Then it’s probably for the best if we don’t know.” Fabien sighed as he portioned out some meat on the nearby plates so that the townsfolk could try it as well.

“If you say so. Either way, I should get going. Plenty of people to talk to and the day is still young.”

“True. Have fun and once again, congratulations. Reaching the third tier is a hell of an achievement.”

“Thanks.” Regis nodded as he left the infernal to his cooking.

Plenty of people wanted to personally congratulate the dark elf for his success, most of the guards and quite a few crafts folks taking up a minute or two of his time for some small talk. Meanwhile, the celebration went on with full force, music and laughter filling the air as the sun slowly set and disappeared from the sky.

As the arcane street lights came to life, the festive atmosphere stepped to another phase, different kinds of foods being served as the children sat on rough-cloth blankets while listening to Bray’s tales. When it was nearing ten o’clock, the people slowly began to return to their homes, those with children leaving a bit earlier to make sure that the kids would get into bed on time. Regis found himself sitting by the dying light of the firepit with Letty by his side.

“How about we had back home as well,” the wood elf suggested. “It was quite an eventful day and I could use a hot bath as well.”

“I second that notion.” The loremaster agreed as they stood up, putting down their cups on the nearby table.

“Goodnight everyone,” he said to those still present while activating the barrier around the Landwaker tree. “And Osmond, please take Cruz back to her house.”

“I know,” the pale youth sighed as he pulled up the not-at-all-drunk wood elf woman. “Why does it always have to end like this?”

“Because she’s a wuss!” A tipsy Valerie replied as she was dragged away by Quentin.

The elven pair walked along the cobblestone street, chuckling as they recalled some of the funnier events of the day. Willow decided to rest in the forest, much to Druig’s annoyance as the young dryad found it all too funny to mess with his wolves’ sense of smell using her nature powers. After reaching the manor, Regis found it awfully quiet, but he knew that both Dana and Euric drank a bit more than they should have, so they returned earlier to sleep it off.

Knowing that everyone else was asleep, the dark elf decided to take up Letty on her offer regarding the bath, enjoying her company as he listened to her somewhat frustrated stories about the simple yet important lessons to Willow earlier that day. After the warm bath, the mentally tired couple returned to their room and they soon fell asleep as well. The days that followed the harvest festival went by in relative peace, Regis spending most of his time upgrading the enchantments of his own and his companions’ equipment.

Thanks to some branches they pruned from the Prismatic Landwaker and some high-grade steel from Amanda, he even managed to upgrade his magic staff. As the day of the Annual Lords’ Assembly drew ever nearer, an invisible weight began to lower itself on those who knew about it. Finally, on the morning of the tenth of the Azure Dragon, it was time to head out.

The manor was as lively as expected, both Quentin and Tristan waiting in the main hall for the loremaster to join them. Regis woke up at six o'clock as usual, having breakfast and dealing with some minor issues before heading up to change clothes. By the time he got down to the main hall, it was nearly seven-thirty.

“Morning everyone.” He greeted the paladin and the steward while walking down the stairs.

“Good morning!” They replied at the same time, but Tristan couldn’t stop himself from speaking up.

“Milord. Are you sure it’s a good idea to go to the assembly in full armour?”

“I don’t see why not,” Regis shrugged. “This way at least they’ll know I’m not some lazy and spoiled lordling.”

“Admit it,” Quentin sighed. “You just want to show off your upgraded gear.”

“I can neither confirm nor deny that accusation. However, seeing both of us kitted out in armour that has a bunch of ‘excellent’ quality runes should act as a form of deterrent.”

“I truly hope you’re right because the last thing we need this for the other nobles to take offence.”

“We should get going,” the dark elf decided to switch the subject. “It’s best to get there early so that we can get to know the others a bit at least.”

“I agree about that,” replied the paladin as the three of them headed out. “Are we planning to bring around anything for the assembly?”

“It is customary to bring along something that is considered to be a speciality of a lord’s region as a gift to the lord housing the assembly. I already asked Nina to prepare a gift package to bring along with us.”

“Housing it,” the spell weaver hummed. “Isn’t it being held at the same place every year?”

“No,” Tristan replied. “Each year it is hosted by a different lord serving the royal family.”

“So I don’t have to worry about hosting it anytime soon. Good to know.”

“As we discussed it earlier, your invitation is more of a formality and a chance for the others to assess you.”

“I know, but that only makes it worse. Forget it. Let’s just get this over with.”

As the trio reached Landwaker Square, they found Nina waiting there with a woven basket that had a soft red cotton blanket covering it inside under several products created or grown in Thornfell.

“Good morning, Nina!” The spell weaver greeted the woman.

“Good morning, sire!” she replied with a smile as she handed over the basket to Tristan. “Here you go. I’ve packed everything I could think of as a proper gift. Please try not to get into any trouble!”

“I wish I could promise that but it does not depend on me alone.”

“Don’t worry,” Regis cleared his throat slightly. “I’ll try to keep him out of trouble.”

“It’s more likely that you’ll get us all in trouble,” Quentin remarked. “As usual.”

“Appreciate the vote of confidence. So, shall we get going?” He asked as he deactivated the barrier around the gazebo.

“We might as well.”

They stepped inside the runic circle and the dark elf activated it using his gateway talisman. The runes of the circle lit up, their light swallowing the trio in an instant, only to spit them out at White-spire Keep.

“Halt!” They heard several voices as the guards surrounding the local gateway looked at them with weapons at the ready.

“This is Lord Regis Thorne, lord of Thornvale and his knight commander, Sir Quentin Bailey answering the invitation to the Annual Lords’ Assembly.” Tristan introduced them loudly, easing the tense atmosphere.

“Apologies,” The guards said as they lowered their weapons after hearing the introduction. “Welcome to White-spire Keep, sire. Please, head over to the eastern gate! The servants will show you the way to Lord Merv’s manor.”

“Thank you.” The loremaster nodded as the trio left the gateway under the watchful gazes of the locals.

After a good two or three minutes of walking in the direction given to them, they reached a large gate leading to the inner section of the keep.

“Good morning,” a well-dressed man greeted them from behind a desk placed beneath an open-walled tent, looking up from the parchment he was holding. “How may I be of service?”

“Good morning,” Tristan spoke up again, trying to use his most casual tone. “Please note down that Lord Regis Thorne of Thornvale has arrived.”

“I see,” the man nodded as he unceremoniously put a small check mark beside a line on the list before waving a somewhat fidgety servant girl closer. “Welcome to White-spire Keep, your lordship! Please follow young Annette to the manor. Lord Merv and some of the other nobles are already there.”

“Thank you.” Tristan replied curtly as they joined the all too fretful girl for a walk.