Chapter Two-Hundred Ninety-Three

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Aranya

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It will be good to get back home.  Not only is she looking forward to getting back to what has come to feel like her proper place in the world, but being able to bring her people there as well makes all the difficulties of the last week worth it and more.  It makes the difficulties of the past at large worth it as well, but the more recent trials are simply more fresh in her mind.

Despite her resolve when she delivered the ultimatum, she questioned the decision countless times over the ensuing days.  The heart to heart with her grandfather tipped the balance to get the kobolds moving, but after being stuck in their situation for so long, getting moving is an arduous process.

Honestly, if she didn’t give the deadline, they would have found some other reason to drag their feet.  But with her grandfather’s support, too many are going now for the reluctant to want to stay behind on their own.  She received more than a few irate visitors the first day or two, but after that, everyone was simply too busy to waste time complaining to her in specific.

She’s been helping them pack what meager belongings they have, and get what food they can for the journey.  She had expected food to be difficult to acquire, but if anything, there was more than they could reasonably carry!  While the local industry is finally shifting away from mostly food production, the people of Silvervein are still very accomplished in it, and leapt at the chance to provide some kind of aid to the kobolds they ignored for so long.

She’d be more bitter about it if the food weren’t so good.

And so now, she looks at the throng of kobolds and legion of Lord Thedeim’s denizens, standing beside Leo and Honey, along with her friends, as the few last-minute things are done.  The Stag, Tarl, Kennith, and Serd are there to see them off, with the pale elf being the official representative of Silvervein in this.

Everyone can feel the subtle shift in the atmosphere that signals the time to go, where there really is nothing left to do but get moving, so Aranya approaches those who are staying and smiles at them.

“It looks like it’s time for us to get going.”

“My Lord should offer Lord Thedeim the trade as you all pass through.  He has a bear and a fox ready for you, and is eager to see more of the odd forest you’re cultivating.”

Honey buzzes and Leo gives a wolfy grunt in reply, to which the Stag nods.  “I’ll be returning to my Lord soon, but not quite yet.  Tarl has asked that I help guide Vanta directly for a little while longer.  The Bear is doing… well enough in his duties that I should be able to stay here for a few more days, and I enjoy helping the young one.  Give your lord my and my Lord’s regards.”

His piece said, Tarl steps forward and hands Aranya a leather bound ledger.  “This should be everything the guild needs to establish a branch here.  The Southwood was already a long trip, but Silvervein and Vanta are way too far away for me to properly inspect regularly.  They might even move Southwood to the jurisdiction here.”

“Perhaps, but I hope you’ll still delve my Lord on occasion, Tarl.  You always have the most interesting news to share,” comments the Stag.

Tarl snorts at that, the corners of his mouth hinting at a smile.  “It’ll be nice to come do a more casual delve every so often.  The official ones take so long with all your territory.  But with Teemo’s shortcuts, it’ll be a lot easier to swing by for a respite from Thedeim’s nonsense.”

Most smirk, fully understanding Tarl's joke, but Kennith and Serd don’t join in the humor, both still a bit removed from Him to know the kind of things He gets up to.  The gnome speaks up next, offering his hand to shake to Aranya.

“It’s been an interesting experience, coming here and meeting all of you.  I’ll still be sticking around to ensure the council understand their duties, before going back to Holdhome, I think.  Lord Order may have more in plan for Silvervein, but I don’t think His potential plans involve me.  I’m looking forward to getting back to the more boring matters back there.”

Aranya shakes his hand and nods at that.  “That’s fair, and thank you again for your help with the Harbinger.  Lord Thedeim was more than happy with the compensation, and even happier still to know that beast is well and truly handled.”

Serd steps up to shake her hand next.  “We’re in Thedeim’s debt for all he’s done for us, Priestess.  I wish we could help your people more, but after so long, distance is probably best for everyone.”

“I think we mostly need some time to come to terms with everything.  We’ve all been freed, and I think we’ll all need a bit of time and space to figure out what they really means.  Once things are calmed here, definitely send some traders to Fourdock.  They’re good people, and I’m sure they’ll be happy to engage in a bit of commerce.”

The Stag interjects before Serd can respond.  “There are also the wandering orcs to the south.  They only have a single true settlement, but they’re some of my Lord’s more common delvers.  A bazaar would certainly get their attention, and get my Lord more mana.”

Serd looks thoughtful about that.  “I’ll float the idea of establishing caravans once things are stable enough for that.  A lot of people are curious about what the surface has to offer, and the surface is apparently interested in the goods we have to offer, too.  In fact, there’ll probably be unofficial caravans before long.  Merchants always follow coin, even if they’re not always completely ready for the trip.”

Aranya nods as a few snickers are had at the expense of overeager business types.  “Sometimes, being completely ready is just an excuse to delay.  While there’s probably more we could do to prepare for the trip, I think delaying would do us no good.  May Lord Thediem smile upon Silvervein and see it prosper, and keep us all safe on this journey.”  Her pendant glows a soft orange as she feels a small sliver of Lord Thedeim’s might empower her prayer.  High Priestess or not, it’s still humbling to be entrusted with that kind of responsibility.

“Warm meals and cool tunnels to you,” replies Serd in farewell as Ragnar whistles for the attention of the kobolds.

“Slash’ Projection,” mutters the kobold in a quick prayer, enabling her voice to carry to all involved without her needing to even raise her voice.  “It is time for us to go.  We will have the protection of Lord Thedeim’s denizens for our exodus, and that includes for more than simply against bandits or monsters.  If anyone is having troubles with the journey itself, please let one of the denizens know.  They’ll inform Leo or Honey, and they’ll inform me.  We’ll be utilizing shortcuts the entire way, and though they are odd at first, they will shorten the trek significantly.  I’ll call for halts as needed.”

She pauses for a moment before continuing.  “And thank you all for joining us.  I know it’s a difficult decision and the road ahead is full of uncertainty, but this is a change we all desperately needed.  It can be scary, I know, but please believe that each step along this path is one towards a better tomorrow.”

She smiles at the scattered cheers she gets for her impromptu speech.  Most of the kobolds are still apprehensive, but quite a few are optimistic about the future now.  Even scattered cheers are better than scattered jeers, so she’ll take this reaction with a smile.  It’s difficult to make people happy about a long march on foot.

She waves her goodbyes before joining her brethren in their walking, her friends at her side.

“Did you practice that?” asks Aelara, earning a laugh from the red kobold.

“No!  If I did, it probably would have been a lot longer and a lot more boring.”

Yvonne nods sagely at that.  “Indeed.  Practicing speeches is a good way to stumble down the path to becoming a noble.”

Ragnar shudders at that, only exaggerating his disdain for politicians slightly.  “Yer already walkin’ a narrow road wi’ bein’ a High Priestess.”

Aelara shrugs before Aranya can respond.  “You met Kennith and he’s fine.  And that paladin from the Shield.  Most of the shield people are pretty good.”

“S’a fair point,” concedes Ragnar.

“I intend to keep things as casual as possible, at least as long as I’m the High Priestess.  He’s not big on ceremony, and after having seen Kennith channeling Order and talking with him about their hierarchy, I’m confident in keeping at least empty pomp to a minimum.”

“I think you’re doing a good job so far,” compliments Yvonne with the smiling agreement of Ragnar and Aelara.  They let her writhe under the praise for a few moments before Ragnar changes the subject.

“So, where’re they gonna go?”

“I think most of them are hoping to settle with the ratkin.  Some want to join with the spiderkin enclave, or Fourdock proper, but the majority favor the ratkin.”

“How did they make such a good impression on the kobolds?” asks Yvonne.

“I think it’s more that the spiderkin can look a bit intimidating if you’re not used to them, especially the large tarantulakin.”

“Aye.  ‘ave y’ seen Folarn’s Axe?  I bet it’s ‘eavier ‘n me!”  They laugh and chat as they walk, settling in to debate which enclave they would join if they had the need.  Ragnar and Aelara prefer the ratkin, while Yvonne would join the spiderkin.  Aranya can’t bring herself to choose, and the conversation wanders as the day marches on.

The first break is called later than Aranya had intended, thanks to the happy distraction of talking with her friends.