It's strange. I've never actually been inside the guesthouse before. It seems odd that I've lived here all my life and yet there are places I haven't seen that are within walking distance.
But I guess I haven't exactly been inside all of my neighbors' houses either. So I guess that's normal?
The guesthouse is exactly that. A guest house. It's bigger than most of the other homes around here, but that's because it has several bedrooms spread across two floors. And it's the only two-story building in the entire village, if you don't count the longhouse's bell tower.
A guesthouse like this is required for every village for the exact purpose it's currently being used for. To house visitors to the village. Usually being Noble [Inspectors] from Llanercost. So the building itself is constructed by a higher-level [Carpenter] supplied by the government. The same one who also built our [Hall]. But they don't stay afterwards. Instead, we're assigned one who is lower level and can keep the buildings maintained.
His name is Larson. And Mama has been trying to get him replaced for years. She says he is crude and 'handsy'. So I've never really talked to him.
Ethel holds the door open for Lord Felix and me as we step inside. The interior is already warm from a weak fire in the hearth off to the left. Several fur-clad chairs circle it. A wide kitchen area on the right with a long dining table nearby. Not much in the way of decoration, but certainly made of finer materials than the rest of the village.
A staircase at the back of the entry area leads to the upstairs rooms. Five of them, I think. One much bigger than the others and obviously meant for the guest of honor.
I think only Lord Felix is staying here right now. Ethel and Steppan seem to camp out with the rest of their group in tents outside. There is a good amount of garden space outside of this building for it.
But right now the kitchen area is surprisingly being used. And the smell is already messing with my head. Teovar has his sleeves rolled up and an apron on while he is chopping vegetables over the kitchen stovetop, cutting them into fine slices that he then scrapes off into a cast-iron skillet that hisses in response.
Lord Felix removes his cape and hangs it on a coatrack beside the door. Then loosens his collar as he approaches the table. "I've had the pleasure of tasting Sir Teovar's cooking during our interviews this past week. I thought his expertise would help make this meeting more comfortable for you." He explains before grabbing a chair at the dining table and pulling it out, gesturing with a hand to it. "Please make yourself comfortable."
My eyes slightly widen at the politeness. Not to mention the fact that a Noble is asking me to sit first. It makes me strangely even more nervous.
I jolt as Ethel places a hand on my shoulder, drawing my attention up to her and her kind smile. "There is no reason to be scared. You aren't in any trouble. Swear on my life." She assures as she removes the hefty scabbard for my broadsword from my back and sets it by the door.
My lips purse at that, but it at least gives me enough comfort to force my feet to move. Sliding myself into the offered seat before Lord Felix scoots the chair into the table. Which boggles my mind even more.
The only thing keeping me from panicking further is the incredibly apologetic smile Ser Ethel is giving me. So I think he really is just trying to be polite. But even then, I'm still a commoner. So it's pretty unorthodox.
The sounds and smells of Teovar cooking make for a soothing environment. Keeping my hands in my lap and my back straight while I watch the stocky nobleman take a seat across from me after Ethel pulls out a chair for him. He teases with his curled mustache and clears his throat. "Now! First order of business. A great blunder has been committed on my part, and I would be remiss not to remedy it posthaste. Ser Ethel, if you would."
The [Knight] smirks knowingly and nods, walking off to the side of the room to grab a nice wooden box. Returning to set it on the table in front of me. The box itself looks incredibly expensive. Silver inlays with swirling patterns across its surface. A delicate silver latch keeps the box shut tight, with the lid attached by a hinge at the back.
Ethel simply flips the latch deftly with her gauntleted finger and opens the lid to reveal a neatly folded deep red fabric. The material looks very finely knitted together.
My brow knits together much the same as I stare in confusion at the fabric. "Uh. What is it?" I ask sheepishly, not wanting to sound ignorant, but I can't really be much else in this situation.
Lord Felix has a pleased smile on his face as he gestures to the box. "Do not hesitate. Take a look for yourself."
I can't help but look to Ethel for confirmation. The [Knight] chuckles; likely at the worried confusion plastered all over my face. "It's alright, dear. Go ahead."
Lord Felix arches one of his heavily painted brows at the [Knight] and strokes his chin. "Am I making things worse somehow?"
Ethel nearly covers her mouth to stifle a snort, smiling warmly at the stocky nobleman. "Not intentionally. I think having a noble be this doting on a commoner is making her nervous."
His shoulders slump somewhat, and a heavy sigh escapes his lips. Reaching up to pinch the bridge of his nose. "I cannot simply be courteous to the common folk without seeming as though I am scheming something. My status truly is a curse sometimes." He states a little too dramatically.
I pull my attention away from whatever that ridiculous statement was and focus on the fabric in the box. Reaching out to gingerly lift it out, I can already tell that the material is soft but durable. And it seems to have a visual sheen to it and it slips through my fingers pretty easily. It looks incredibly expensive...
"Do you like it?"
My gaze shifts back over to Lord Felix, who had been observing me. A surprisingly gentle smile on his face. My cheeks warm with embarrassment. "Oh uh. It's really pretty. What is it for?"
The noble slumps again and sighs. "It is a gift from myself. I had heard it was your birthday far too late and became frustrated I did not have time to supply a gift. So it took a bit longer than desired."
My eyes widen, astonished at the notion that a noble would even think of doing something like this. And suddenly the red cloth in my hands seems astronomically more expensive than it already had. "I-I don't know what to say..." I stammer, my gut feeling like it's twisting. "I don't understand. I'm sorry."
Lord Felix's expression softens. "I suppose it does garner some explanation." He admits, stroking his rounded chin. "I simply cannot lie and say that I would do such a thing for anyone in this village. So I must admit it is just because it is you. You have made quite an impression on me."
I can feel my heart thudding hard against my chest, my gaze keeps pulling low and away from them. Unable to meet their stares. "Because I'm weird..."
Ethel sighs and shakes her head. "You certainly have some strange skills, but you are far from weird, Liore." She says with a bit of exasperation. "Auguste has already informed us at length of his understanding of your capabilities." Her expression turns apologetic again. "As well as how, let's say—at odds, you are with yourself about it."
My face heats up even further from the embarrassment. But even more from a good helping of frustration. Thorpe said he would be with me if this happened. And instead, he told them everything behind my back?
I don't know whether I should be relieved or angry.
Lord Felix gives me a quite serious stare. "And as Ser Ethel stated before, you are not in any trouble. Perish the thought." He assures with a level of sternness that makes my chest feel tight. "But that is beside the point. We will discuss that further in a moment. Please examine your gift further. It is quite the nifty garb."
My hands have gotten noticeably sweatier as I hold this likely expensive piece of fabric. But I swallow back my desire to drop it so I don't dirty it anymore, instead pulling it further out of its box and letting it unfurl.
It's not anything wild in terms of design, though. Just a deep red fabric with no such decorations or anything to speak of. Not even a pattern of any kind. But the strange sheen the surface has reminds me of the rain catchers we set out sometimes to stock up on extra water.
Lord Felix seems pleased while watching me examine the gift. "It is of good quality. Your village's [Seamstress] was quite enthralled by the request. It's not often she gets to use her more specialized skills, it seems."
My mood switches from caution to surprise at that information. Looking back down at the fabric with a lot less fear, as my hands now hold it more comfortably. "Miss Margo made this?"
"Indeed, she did. Quite tirelessly so. Was slightly concerned to hear she forewent sleep to make it, but I might have put too much emphasis on wanting it done as soon as possible." The nobleman sighs. "I really should be more careful with my wording. I forget how influential my status can be on the commoner class."
Ethel chuckles at the man, folding her arms over her breastplate. "You really should."
Lord Felix smooths over his well-oiled hair incessantly for a moment before clearing his throat. "Yes, well, we shall live and learn." He remarks, then returns his attention to me. "She was quite overjoyed to hear it was for you. Almost convinced me she'd do it free of charge, but the idea revolted me. And I had already heard from your mother that the Bennetts have been saving for a Conception ritual. Which is quite an expense, and they were only halfway there. So I made up the difference with a little extra."
That easily elicits a gasp from me while staring at the nobleman in surprise. Mrs. Bennett and Margo having been saving for that since before I was born. They've always wanted children. They even considered adopting, but they would have to travel quite far and then right back with a child in tow. It would be pretty dangerous. With a Conception ritual, they could have their own baby, but they just have to pay for a [Priest] to come down here. Which is ridiculously expensive when factoring in travel and security costs. It would have likely taken them another decade to get enough to pay for it. "That—That's so kind of you."
The nobleman gives a passive wave of his hand. "It is the least I can do. And it is a small expense to me." He says lightly before gesturing to Ethel. "Care to explain the usage?"
The [Knight] nods and leans over towards me, pointing to the fabric. "It's a universal fabric of sorts. It can serve as a shawl or cloak. It repels water and dirt pretty well without even being enchanted. A lot of us in the Guild have something like it." She explains before gently taking it from my hands and moving herself behind my chair. "It's getting cold out there, so wearing it as a scarf might work best for now." Ethel lowers the red fabric across my shoulders and around my neck a couple of times before tucking some of it within itself. "There we go!"
My hands reach up to adjust the fabric a bit lower as it bunches up around my chin too much. A smile forming across my lips as I smell the perfume Miss Margo usually wears. "It is really warm. And it's not itchy like the scarf I have at home."
I return my attention to the nobleman while Ser Ethel moves around the table to pull out a free chair, taking a seat herself. Clearing my throat and offering a light bow. "I thank you greatly for this gift, my lord."
Lord Felix smiles kindly. "Happy belated birthday, young Miss Perro." He states kindly before his attention trails upward as Teovar moves away from the kitchen with a tray covered in several plates and bowls.
The old [Cook] sets the tray down onto the center of the long table and begins to pass out the plated delicacies he has been preparing. A central plate with what looks like an entire small bird cooked to perfection, accompanied by mashed potatoes, carrots, squash, and sprouts. All of it drizzled and submerged in a slightly greyish creamy sauce of some type.
Now this is definitely looking more like something Papa would make us. Which hits my heart somewhat. The second time this has happened now because of Teovar's cooking.
Alongside, they place a small bowl containing a very light soup of some kind, served on a plate with slices of fresh bread. And then a wooden cup filled with a citrus juice to help wash things down.
My stomach growls furiously at the sight. Which should not be happening seeing as I have already eaten not but an hour ago. But I guess that was nothing in comparison to this spread. "Uh. And you said—you said this was brunch?"
Ethel snorts at my response, covering her mouth with her bare hand as she sets her gauntlets off to the side. "For Lord Felix, yes, it is. He does enjoy his meals quite a bit."
A scoff from the nobleman draws our attention while he very neatly folds a white napkin into his collar. "You make it sound as if I gorge myself." He remarks with a raise of his nose. "I simply enjoy exploring the culinary world, my dear [Knight]."
Teovar,The nobleman's gaze travels up to Teovar who is standing by the side of the table, waiting to be dismissed. "This looks marvelous, Sir Teovar. Go and enjoy your own portion in one of the rooms. We shall need some privacy."
The old [Cook] bows his head and smiles, "Many thanks, m'lord. If you desire anythin'else, just lemme know." He responds before picking up the tray, which still has one set of the food left, and heads down the hall.
Ethel and I wait as Teovar ascends the stairs before looking to Lord Felix who patiently waits as well until we finally hear a door open and shut. His hands shift immediately to pick up the set of silverware around his placement of food and begins to cut into the roasted bird. Ser Ethel and I joining in as well. Pressing my fork into the tender meat and taking out a slice to dip into the sauce, adding a few vegetables as well. And the ensuing bite is pure pleasure throughout my tastebuds.
"Now. To get down to business." The nobleman begins, ferrying a neatly skewered helping of meat and vegetables to his own mouth. "As stated, your mentor has already detailed what he knows. Along with his theories on the matter." He reiterates, sending a fresh wave of annoyance through my head. But I'll save that frustration for later.
"He has also given us a tour of the ruins that you fell into, where the supposed Class Book was." His eyes shift towards Ethel, who is scarfing down a good portion of meat. "I believe Ser Ethel had some thoughts on it that Mr. Thorpe concurred with?"
The [Knight] swallows and clears her throat. "Indeed. Honestly nothing too surprising for a ruin though. Looked very much like a temple of sorts. Likely had pews in it at some point, but those deteriorated ages ago."
I nod slowly, but my brows pinch together. "I haven't been down there since it happened. And I was losing a lot of blood at the time. So some of my memory of it is fuzzy. I just remember the stone lectern where the book was and the weird statue. But Thorpe never really gave me his theories on the ruin itself, though."
Ethel nods her understanding. "As I said, it's not really anything out of the ordinary for places like that. Even the statue is something I've seen dozens of similar. Although it was the first time seeing it depicting such an overt display. Usually the four armed statues are wearing robes and hoods. But this one was clearly in armor and gave us a much better look at how their peoples bodies were structured." She muses somewhat at the end, taking a sip of her drink after.
Hearing that it wasn't too surprising makes me feel a bit easier, but my brow raises curiously. "At their—people? You know what it was? Or who?"
She gives an honest shrug before blowing a bit of the steaming piece of meat on her fork. "The explorer egg-heads I've been hired to protect over the years just refer to them as the Ones Before Us," she explained, popping the cooled down meat into her mouth and chewing it idly. "It's no secret that humans weren't the first ones here. There were societies that existed here of our type before the Shepherd Saints lead us to the Grand. A massive Empire in fact from the looks of it. But they were already skeletons by the time we arrived."
I did know a bit about this already, but I haven't really looked into the details of it. Thorpe has told me about Catacombs and ancient ruins before, of course. They are pretty important finds for the Mercenary Guild and the Grand at large. A lot of important artifacts, rare equipment, riches, and even Skill Books can be found in them. Which means whoever built them at least served God's system as well. "Like the Dwyte?"
Ethel lifts a hand to rock it back and forth for a moment. "Sort of. No one has been able to confirm that. The Dwyte are old for sure, and there is some evidence they might have been here before us. But if they were, they weren't here for very long before we arrived." The [Knight] lets out a slight burp into her napkin. "Besides, we can use the Skill Books and equipment left behind by the old societies. They can't."
My lips purse a bit, "But the book I found wasn't like one you'd find normally. I've seen skill books my Papa had, and that Thorpe has shown me. And the one I found down there was nothing remotely like them. And supposedly they were all found in ruins at one point too."
Ethel nods, setting her silverware down to look at me seriously. "That is true. I'd have to see the book to give my thoughts, but from what Thorpe said, it essentially disintegrated after you used it. Which is also abnormal." She concurs, folding her arms, looking like she's taking a break from eating for a moment. "Arric checked out the place pretty thoroughly and thinks that section of ruin must have been deeper underground but was raised from below somehow. And that the rest of the place is still down there, deep in a fissure beneath the Meld. Would take a while to get to it, so it's something to explore later once we don't have clanners breathing down our necks."
I nod along to that sentiment. Trying to find the rest of the ruin has been on my mind for a while now, but the right time hasn't really come up to try. And especially not now. "Yes. Honestly, the issues with my class being broken have been outweighed by the [Bandit] situation now. They aren't related at all." I state plainly, poking around the good amount of roast still on my plate that I've slowly been excavating throughout the conversation.
Lord Felix emits a low hum in response. "On the contrary. I think it has a bit more involvement in our situation than you might think. Which is why I became as curious as I am about how your newfound skills actually work."
My brow furrows in confusion at him, my hands getting tighter around the fork and knife. "What do you mean? I'm not a [Bandit]. At least—at least I don't think I am," I respond quietly while my head lowers.
The nobleman shakes his head. "Nor do we think you are. But that isn't what has led us to this conversation. Or else I would not have pushed for it so directly. Your bizarre circumstances with your class would take backseat in my mind as well if not for the discovery that I have made in my investigation so far."
The beat of my heart begins to quicken in response to that statement. "I don't understand. I thought you said I wasn't in trouble…" I mutter, fear creeping into my tone despite my best efforts.
A flash of concern washes over the nobleman's eyes before he too sets his silverware down for the moment. Taking a moment to stare at me with a stern gaze. "And we meant it. You are not in any trouble."
"But you—but I, I don't…" I stammer as that damn anxious nausea settles in again.
Lord Felix threads his fingers together in front of him with his elbows propped up on the table. "What do you know of the [Identify] skill?"
I try to swallow the lump forming in my throat, but it stays. "Um. It lets you see someone's name, class, level, and status."
"You are correct. Not a lot of information, but quite enough to get the measure of someone. And at higher levels, you can get the ability to see someone's stats as well." Lord Felix lifts the napkin from his neck and pats his mouth clean, but I don't think anything was on it. "But that skill is only for people and creatures. So there is an accompanying skill meant for objects. That skill is called [Appraise]. Which gives me facts about an object. Such as its title, how long since it was made, its purpose, and what effects it has." His stare is focused on me firmly. "But there is an even greater skill that people with classes like mine can earn at level ten. That skill is called [Analyze]. Which I can only use very sparingly. Once in a few weeks, in fact. It can be used on anything and anyone. And I will get all information necessary about what I use it on, including things I couldn't get before like skills, passives, and even who created certain objects or effects."
Ethel sighs lowly. "Get to the point. You're scaring the poor girl."
And she is definitely right. I am becoming quite terrified of this line of thinking. My hands are even shaking at this point.
Lord Felix clears his throat and stops staring so intensely. "Apologies. But yes, to get to the point. [Analyze] can even let me see information on specific effects, like enchantments, and who put them there." His hand lazily gestures out the window nearby. "My appraisal of the village's crops informed me that varied sections of the soil have been blessed. Something called [Micah's Touch]. Are you familiar with it?"
My face scrunches up in confusion, and I shake my head. "No. I've never heard of that skill before. But the fields were blessed a few years ago by a [Cleric]. Could that be it?"
The nobleman smiles lightly. "Your mother mentioned that as well. But that sort of blessing would not have held up for that long. Perhaps just for one harvest." He shakes his head as well. "This one is different. And not one I recognize the name of either. So I used [Analyze] to gleam who about placed it there."
Lord Felix's darkly painted brow raises in that expressive arch I have gotten so used to. "And it said that you—put it there."
Silence takes over the room. The confusion I felt before triples. Any fear or worry I had before vanishes in a valley of sheer astonishment. No words in any discernable language form together into a good enough response. And so the only thing that comes to mind on reflex is…
"HUH?"