B2 – Chapter 20: Kindness costs nothing

Tristan glanced around the campsite, “Now that we’re out of there, what were you three doing traveling this far off the road?”

The Foxkin looked over at him with eyes that looked on the verge of tears. “We…we were traveling to a new town. Our business…” She squatted down and crossed her arms over her knees, burying her face into her arms.

The Sheepkin woman nodded and put a hand on the Foxkin’s back, “Our business in Jewel’s Point sadly collapsed. Earthquake. We lost everything. I adopted Meeshka, here, and…well, I adopted him, as well.”

Tristan felt a pang of sympathy in his chest, “My condolences. I’m sorry for your loss.”

“I knew the risks of going into a Delve,” the Sheepkin replied. “My brother was a Pathfinder and told me about them. I thought maybe we could find something to then sell and get a new start, a fresh start. That was his equipment, that…” she trailed off and shook her head, “There will be time to remember later.”

Tristan nodded, “Again, my condolences. Well, you seem like good folk, and I think I can help you out. May I ask your professions?”

The Sheepkin smiled, “I am a tailor, using my own wool. Meeshka ran the storefront – great mind for numbers and she is suave.”

“I am a lord. The ruler of the Fey Realm. If you like, I can provide accommodations.”

The Sheepkin regarded him with a suspicious gaze, “Then you lied to us in the Delve.”

“No, I told half-truths, but never a lie,” Tristan replied as he crossed his arms. “If you give me an hour, I will take you to the Fey Realm, where you can rest, recuperate, and if you desire, work for me. I could use a tailor, and a merchant. I plan on traveling to Jewel’s Point, making a lot of coin, and then have to meet the Pathfinders to find someone. You are welcome to reside in the Fey Realm, for as long or as short a duration as you desire, and when I arrive in Jewel’s Point, if you help me sell my wares, I will split the profits with you.”

The Sheepkin nodded, “That seems more than fair. This Fey Realm – is it far to travel to it?”

“No. I just need an hour.” Tristan looked around and saw no sign of his horses, “And I need to track down my horses.” Cupping his hands around his lips, he shouted as loud as he could. “Onyx! Midnight!”

The Foxkin looked up at him, “I…I saw some big, black horses.”

“Those were mine,” Tristan replied. He heard the sound of hoofbeats, and waited patiently with his arms crossed, spinning his essence crucible and pouring the power into his ring. The two horses came into sight a few seconds later, and Tristan walked over to them, putting his palms on their heads and scratching just along the jawline, “You two have a good time out here?”

Both of them snorted and chopped into the dirt with their hooves. To Tristan it seemed like an affirmation. The Sheepkin woman walked up behind him, “You can talk to beasts?”

Tristan looked back to her, “Elves have a way with animals. My type of Elf more than others. Oh, I never caught your name.”

“Dorothy,” she replied. “You said it will take an hour to travel to your Fey Realm?”

Tristan nodded and held up his gauntlet, “I have a ring on under this that enables us to travel between Realms. Let us move away from this Delve and head towards the road.” He walked back to the still-in-shock Foxkin woman, gently picked her up – without protestation from her – and carried her over to Midnight, putting her up in the saddle. He gestured to Onyx, “You can ride him, Dorothy. I don’t mind walking.”

She smiled gently, “You are a kind man. Thank you.”

Tristan smiled, “Of course. Come on, you two,” he said, speaking to the horses. “Let’s head a bit of a distance off.”

He took the lead, walking away, and Felicity, who had been silent and invisible up to this point, spoke. “You’re really going out of your way to help these people. More minions to serve your whims?”

“Why not? Being nice costs me nothing. And this gets me not only a tailor, but a shopkeeper. Both of whom know how Jewel’s Point works which I do not know.”

“Fair,” Felicity replied. “I can’t wait to get to a big city! Imagine all the hijinks I can get up to!”

Tristan chuckled, “Just nothing that hurts people. But it sounds like this merchant council has a lot of money and valuables they would probably not miss too much. You can indulge in your roguish nature.”

She made little happy taps on his head, “Yes. Finally, a chance for me to get something valuable. I want more artifice items. I steal the good stuff, you make them artifice, we both get shiny gear!”

“Excuse me, Tristan,” Dorothy said from atop Onyx. “Who are you talking to?”

“Ah. Felicity, do you mind?” Tristan asked. She turned visible, and Dorothy gasped a bit before Tristan smiled and put her at ease, “This is Felicity. She is my companion.”

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

“You’re going to see a lot of my kind when we get to the Fey Realm!” Felicity said proudly. “The cutest, most adorable, and most pretty creatures to ever grace any Realm.”

The hour passed rapidly and in silence and staying to the side of the road – within sight of it, but far enough away as to not catch attention upon his return, Tristan activated the ring, and the group were transported to the Fey Realm. Both Dorothy and Meeshka gasped in wonder, and Tristan saw new colors floating through the skies above – shimmering, glittering flecks of silver.

The Matriarch was nearby in her Elfanoid form and walked over. “Lord Tristan, the Lost Realm has been grafted. And already we have seen some excellent new developments. Your jeweler, Beatrice, has created a lovely necklace that is wholly unique. I doubt there is another one like it in the whole world.”