Chapter: 522 – Astraya’s Leadership

Tala—Terry on her shoulder—Rane, and Lyn stood in what appeared to be the command area for the moving village of Astraya, the heavy doors just shutting behind them.

As soon as they were truly closed, Tala dismissed her armor as doing otherwise would have been rather rude. She and Rane also released their veils.

The room, while holding a clear feel of importance and command, was just as obviously designed to be a comfortable place in which to be.

There were several distinct sitting areas, and two people rose to greet them from one such. Tala was surprised to find that both were gated. Specifically, they both appeared to be unveiled Paragon gated.

The woman was actually rather short, even shorter than Tala by a couple of inches. Her hair was red-brown and incredibly long as it nearly reached the ground, even while woven into a tight braid that did little to hide just how curly it was.

Her skin was starkly pale, covered with a smattering of freckles that highlighted her blue-gray eyes in a rather enchanting fashion.

Her round face was further set off by the almost phantasmal cat ears poking up through her hair. And as soon as Tala noticed those, she saw obvious traces of similarly phantasmal cat hair in tufts and swatches all over the woman’s body, not in a mangy sort of way, but as if they were there as visual augments to her already noticeable beauty.

What is this now?

-Huh… the ears and other non-human features are definitely a part of her, there is not a distinction between reality nodes. They don’t seem to be an illusion either.-

But she has a gate… Half breed? That’s right half-arcanes can have gates… can’t they… She frowned. She rarely considered the few that she’d seen.

At the moment, though, she was being rude, and she assumed that she’d learn in time.

The woman wore a simple white dress that was long while not being quite long enough to hide her delicately sandaled feet or brush the ground as she moved. Stitched all through the stunningly clean garment were patterns that evoked a feeling of nature in colors running the gamut in the pastel range of hues.

The woman bowed. “I am Mistress Cae.”

Mistress? Tala bowed in turn. “I am Mistress Tala, this is my husband Master Rane, and my adjunct Mistress Lyn.”

Lyn and Rane bowed as they were mentioned, Lyn more deeply than Rane and Tala by a fair margin.

Mistress Cae bowed to Rane and Lyn as well. “We’re not fans of the ‘Greater’ vernacular, and so we won’t use it with other gated. I’m glad you’re amenable to that. Having magic does not make one ‘greater’ than others…” She seemed to catch herself. “But you aren’t here for a philosophical rant. This is my husband, Master Kalfeir.”

The stoic man gave a bow in turn. He had dark hair with marginally graying wings near his temples. He was powerfully built in a way that few men that Tala had seen achieved, save Rane and a few of the guardsmen she’d known in the caravans.

It went beyond simply being strong and capable and entered into the realm of something that he clearly worked on.

He had the bearing of a soldier—a lifelong fighter—and even the way he stood evoked a readiness for action, a readiness to defend his wife no matter what came.

His clothes were utilitarian, while being just as pristine as Cae’s, and he had what looked to be dozens of small scroll tubes affixed to his belt along with a simple knife.

Despite his only marginal smile, Tala could see a sparkle of humor behind Master Kalfeir’s eyes that actually reminded her of the merchant Mara—even if that woman had been smiling constantly, which Kalfeir decidedly wasn’t.

“Welcome to Astraya.” His voice was rich and powerful, like he was used to giving commands and having them obeyed.

His seemingly unveiled aura was nearly three-quarters of the way toward Reforged, while his wife’s gave the feeling of being stuck just past half-way.

That sense of being stuck was an odd extra thing that was seemingly interwoven with the coloration. Though Tala couldn’t actually tell how she was sensing it, exactly. Likely, it had to do with her expanded awareness and sight of souls that she was just beginning to flex and understand.

Tala finally gestured to Terry, taking a bit of mirth from the fact that Mistress Cae had been inspecting him with little subtlety since they had entered. “This is my bound companion, Terry.”

Mistress Cae beamed. “Good to meet you, Terry. You are a terror bird, correct?”

Tala and Terry nodded at the same time.

“With dimensional magics too. That must be a terrifying combination with your natural weapons and instincts.”

Terry fluffed himself a bit, clearly preening in the praise.

Tala grinned. “He is rather impressive. He’s saved my life quite a few times.”

“I’ve no doubt, and you his, I hope?”

Tala looked his way, and Terry met her gaze levelly before headbutting her cheek.

Mistress Cae’s smile softened. “I’m glad to know that.”

They all exchanged bows and greetings once more, before Mistress Cae beamed once more. “Come, sit. Sit! We have so much to discuss. Can we get you anything? Water? Tea? Coffee? Wine? Ale? Food? Meals are available and served at the regular times, but we can order something brought if you are particularly hungry.”

Terry crooned, indicating he wanted nothing, and settled in to sleep on Tala’s shoulder.

Lyn accepted the offer of some tea; Tala asked for coffee; and Rane asked to try the wine.

Tala gave him an odd look, and he shrugged. “I don’t drink much wine, but I’m sure it’ll be an interesting vintage.”

Mistress Cae clapped her hands delightedly. “Shall you have sweet or dry wine? Red, white, blue, or amber?”

Rane blinked at her a few times.

Master Kalfeir gave a slight sigh before interjecting, “My wife enjoys working with plants and their products. We have quite the export of various wines from the fruits in the holds that we carry with us.”

Mistress Cae grimaced slightly. “It is very frustrating having to manage those plants from afar, but at least I get to be more hands on once the fruits are harvested.”

Lyn leaned forward. “Really? You are involved in the fermenting process? And you create enough wine to be an exporter?”

A truly feline smile stole over the other woman’s face. “Oh, my dear, you have no idea.” She then waved a hand, dismissing the matter. “But first, let us get you all your drinks, and socialize. It’s not time to talk trade, not yet, and we are likely not the best to hash out details with either.” She returned her attention to Rane. “Master Rane?”

He shook his head. “I prefer sweet to dry, but other than that? I confess that I am ignorant.”

Their hostess seemed unbothered. “Then I shall select something for you.”

He gave a slight bow. “I place myself in your capable hands, then.”

Mistress Cae’s eyes unfocused for a brief moment, then she led them all to a sitting area with wooden, but surprisingly comfortable—and sturdy—lounge chairs.

The tilted backs and seats invited lounging—as the name implied—and Tala found herself relaxing into the position.

Less than a minute later, a young man who was clearly a servant entered bearing a tray of drinks. He had mousy features and was clearly an arcane of that variety, even though Tala didn’t believe that she’d seen a mouse-kin before.

-There were some in the crowds in Platoiri, but I don’t think you ever took special note of them.-

Right. That’s fair.

The servant gave each of them their drinks with sure, steady hands, before bowing and departing, never having said a word.

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It seemed that Mistress Cae had desired wine, and she’d gotten her husband something in a large silver tankard.

Lyn was lightly frowning in contemplation, and after the young man departed, she asked. “Do you use the Archive here? Are we far enough from the danger?”

Master Kalfeir gave a wry, half-smile, but it was Mistress Cae who replied. “Oh? You’ve heard of that proscription then? I’m glad. We would have given that warning before we parted company if not. It is an odd belief and practice of the northern expanse, but we have come across credible tales of the utter vanishment of those who ignore it.” She shrugged.

Tala almost opened her mouth to tell the woman what she knew about exactly what that belief was likely based on, but she stopped herself. Such would lead to far more questions and the sharing of more than Tala wished to at this time.

Mistress Cae didn’t seem to notice—or she didn’t mind if she did—and she continued without any sort of pause. “Regardless, we are in less danger here according to common wisdom, but no, I did not signal through the Archive. I am connected to several wooden expanses in various parts of Astraya, and I simply altered one to make our request known.” She chuckled. “In truth, I am connected to all the wood here, in one form or other, but for most, the connection does not allow such fine control.”

Tala grunted, nodding. “I can understand that. I’ve used a similar method myself, though I imagine I come at it differently.”

“Indeed.” The other Paragon gave a slight nod of her head.

Rane took a sip of the wine, and his eyes widened with delighted surprise. “Oh, this is magnificent. What gives it the deep blue color?”

Mistress Cae was clearly pleased at his reaction. “It’s from a rare species of grape that we discovered on our travels. I bred it to have sufficiently sized fruit, then bred out the seeds.” She smiled laconically. “I worked with it in other ways, too. Honestly, the only two things I maintained were the color of the juice—I do so love royal blue—and the flavor. But once I had the fruit, the real work began. Properly fermenting a good, sweet wine is a task for the centuries.” She gave a self-deprecating smile. “At least it was for me.”