228: Departure

I didn’t get in the way of the royals as they looked after Luis on the floor. I was half expecting them to demand answers on what had happened, because part of me was wondering exactly that. If not for Sylverith’s reassurance, I would be very concerned myself.

My attention did, however, turn to Clifford, who was still standing there unmoving, staring at his hand, and I felt it would be good to help him right now.

“Archie, any chance you could get Valorie for me?” I asked as Archie stood off to the side of the royals.

“Of course, sir.” He bowed.

While he was doing that, I approached Clifford. Crisplet was already there, but putting my hand on his arm, I attempted to get his attention.

“Clifford, are you alright?”

He barely registered my comment, and I felt the mana pressed from Crisplet of concern and worry.

“It’s alright, Crisplet. He’s just in shock,” Jen said softly, coming up beside me.

She took Clifford gently under his arm and guided him to a chair, Crisplet following close behind.

“Trevor, get him some water and a cloth from the kitchen,” Jen asked.

Which I did immediately without question. When I got the feather myself, I don’t remember it doing anything crazy to me, but I couldn’t be sure the one Clifford got was the same as mine.

When I came out of the kitchen, Clifford was seated and Valorie was already there, kneeling beside him, holding his other hand in her own.

I handed the water to Jen, who used a wet cloth to wipe his forehead.

“What happened?” Valorie asked in a hushed tone.

“Well, as a thank you for the statue, he was given a gift by the phoenix,” I explained.

“A gift?” she said, confused.

“Yes, a feather. I’m not sure exactly what benefits it will provide for him, but it was a soul-bound feather,” I said, nodding.

I heard Jen gasp a little.

“Like what was granted to the first king?” Valorie asked in an urgent, hushed whisper.

I saw Clifford’s hand visibly shake.

“I think so? I’m sorry, I don’t really know. Both Clifford and Luis got a gift,” I shrugged.

Crisplet let off a little burst of sparks, but also pushed worry and concern again.

“He’ll be fine, Crisplet. Don’t worry,” Jen reassured him again.

“We have a room you can rest in and have some privacy, if you’d like,” Jen offered, and Valorie quickly agreed as they both escorted Clifford out of the room.

Crisplet went to follow, but Jen turned around, quickly dropping to his level, reassuring him again. “Crisplet, he’ll be fine. Give them some space.”

The only person who was left in the room still looking calm at everything was Lily, as she was napping next to my chair.

Deciding it was likely time to get some rest myself, I made my way towards the door when Kathrine stopped me.

“Trev, uh, thank you,” she said with a smile.

I tried to wave it off, but she continued. “I mean it. At least two lives will be drastically changed from tonight’s events, although Luis might not like the responsibility that will come with it.”

“You’re welcome?” I really didn’t know what to say.

Kathrine just smiled, letting go of my arm.

“Archie will give you anything you need and provide you with rooms if you need it as well.” I was just about to walk away when something else popped into my mind.

“I can talk to Alira about getting you a gift as well, if you like?” I offered.

“Absolutely not.” She shut it down so quickly.

I was rather taken aback by it. She quickly added, “Sorry, I didn’t mean that to be so abrupt. It would ruin how special the moment truly is if you were to just get her to hand it out to everyone. Right now, they earned it, but thank you for offering.”

It made sense, I suppose, but I also couldn’t help but think power was power, and surely that would be useful? I’d not argue with that though.

“I get it. I won’t ask then. You said you’re going on a trip, right? If I don’t see you in the morning, best of luck. Also, here, I have some food, and the leftover crab. It’s not much, mostly just the sauce, but I think that will still count.”

I pulled everything out. I had a large stack of pastry flames, along with the pot.

“These mostly have a minor fire potency, but I have some here that I have added healing to as well, so any pastry with a green leaf in the middle will have restoration as well,” I instructed.

She ended up grabbing Elijah to help store everything.

“Thanks, Trevor,” she said with a smile.

***

The next morning, I half expected to be woken up by some sort of chaos happening. That fear had even plagued my dreams that night, but it never happened.

When I made my way downstairs to the foyer, everything seemed… normal?

I don’t know what I was expecting really, but not business as usual.

Looking around, I noticed the slight char marks on the floor had been cleaned, while Archie walked by on the top floor past the balcony that looked over the foyer.

Making my way into the dining room, I expected to see everyone there, but instead it was just Milo and Jen.

“You’re up early,” Jen said, looking surprised.

“Is everyone still here?” I asked.

“The royals left early this morning after Luis woke up. They were going to cancel his trip, but he insisted and is asleep upstairs. Sylverith and Huling are still in the library, and Alira is asleep in the tree out front. Queen Amber went and had some words with Clifford before they left. Valorie and Clifford, I believe, are still upstairs.”

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That all sounded reasonable and nothing too crazy was going on, so that’s good. Honestly, I half expected every noble to be in my foyer after the events last night.

“What time are we meeting the caravan today?” I asked.

“Couple of hours, so be sure to wrap up everything you need, and make sure you’re ready to go. We won’t be back for a few months,” Milo said.

I was already packed and had everything I needed. Other than saying farewell to Micca, George, Sylverith and Alira, I was ready.

I contemplated cooking something for breakfast, but in the end Archie appeared and insisted for the last day that he would cook for us, and I was distracted when Clifford and Valorie entered the room, Clifford looking far better now.

“Ah, Sir Trevor, I’m glad I caught you. I want to apolog—” Clifford began.

I waved it off immediately. “You’ve nothing to apologise for. That was a lot to dump on you, and I threw you right into the deep with it all. No, I am sorry. I should have prepared you better,” I said.

Valorie let out a giggle. “He changes our lives, earns us a small fortune and fame, then apologises. You’re very strange, Sir Ashmoon.”

“Please sit, have some breakfast,” I suggested, Crisplet letting off a burst of sparks in agreement.

They shook their heads. “No, we must be on our way. Archie has already prepared a carriage for us.”

Clifford then knelt on the ground, going to eye level with Crisplet. “Remember what I showed you and keep practising. We’ll make another statue like we agreed when you return to the capital.”