Chapter: 569 – What I Can Do

Tala and Rane sat with Master Jevin for an hour or so longer, talking of much lighter things. They ended their time for this visit—likely their last during this time in Makinaven—with Master Jevin extending an invitation for them to come to New Makinaven, which should be founding in the coming years as Alefast’s Waning was nearing its end, and Makinaven’s would be beginning shortly thereafter.

Master Jevin would, of course, be staying in Makinaven as it waned, but when that finished, he would be taking the City Stone from this great tree to that northern city.

They were welcome any time, even before the founding as there was always a need to thin the ranks of arcanous beasts in the lands surrounding cities around their creation.

Rane and Tala thanked him for the invitation and promised to consider the offer.

With that, they bid the ancient Reforged goodbye, choosing to walk back out into Makinaven proper.

As they headed up toward the upper reaches of the tree—planning on a few stops before finding a pleasant way to end their last day in Makinaven—Tala noticed a little, out of the way healer and was hit with a memory.

“One moment, Rane.”

He glanced her way, then shrugged and smiled. “Alright.”

He walked over to a little recessed bench on the side of the road and settled in to wait for however long she needed in order to accomplish what she had in mind.

She hesitated, taking in his immediate, nonchalant reaction. “Just like that?”

He chuckled. “Yeah, just like that. Do you want me to hem and haw? I could whine a little, but it would be painful for both of us.”

She raised her hands in a warding gesture, smiling at his teasing. “No, no. Thank you.”

His chuckle became a bit deeper as he leaned back and pulled out a book. “Take your time, my love.”

Tala went to the door and stepped inside. It was just how she remembered it, and it didn’t take long to get a moment to speak with the same, but slightly older healer.

She told the assistant that she didn’t need an actual appointment of any kind, as she just wanted to say hello to the Healer.

When she had her moment, she simply stuck her head into the room, waved and said, “Hello, I imagine you don’t remember me, but I came through a bit more than ten years back. Regardless, I wanted to say thank you for your advice back then. Things have worked out pretty well for me, and I appreciate the time you took.”

He blinked at her a few times, then smiled. “Well, I am glad that you are doing well. Is there anything that I can do for you, now?”

She shook her head. “No, but thank you. I hope that you have a wonderful rest of your day.”

“Oh… Well, thank you, Mistress. You as well.”

With that, Tala strode out, not letting the social awkwardness of the encounter settle in. He had obviously not remembered her, but that was alright. If she’d wanted him to remember, she could have talked about her over-consumption of coffee, but that wasn’t the point.

-Well, that visit was a bit uncharacteristic of you.-

What can I say? I acted on a whim. He was kind to me last time I was in the area, and it seemed right to thank him for that.

-Oh, I’m not disagreeing. I’m simply stating that it wasn’t really like you.-

I’m often grateful, Alat.

-Of course, of course. But your gratitude is most often not outwardly expressed.- The alternate interface chuckled. -It’s rarely even expressed within your own mind, even if you do feel it.-

Tala internally rolled her eyes even as she let the Healer’s outer door swing shut behind her.

Rane looked up, showing a hint of surprise even as he closed his book. “Done already?”

She nodded and smiled. “Yeah. Thank you for waiting.”

-Twice? In one day? What is Zeme coming to?-

Hush, you.

He smiled in return. “Of course. Ready to go?”

“Yeah, I want to drop through the Culinary Guild and see if an old acquaintance is still working there.”

“Sure. Those are good folk.” As they got walking once again, Rane frowned in thought. “I didn’t think you’d gotten close to anyone besides Brand in the Culinary Guild. Am I forgetting something?”

She shrugged and chuckled. “I wouldn’t say close. I did say acquaintance. He was kind and professional when most of the rest of the guild was rather stand-off-ish.”

That earned a grunt in return.

When they swung through the Culinary Guild office that she needed, Tala was shocked to see Mages coming and going, chatting with clerks, cooks, and administrators.

It seemed that the change in operating procedures had finally trickled throughout the organization, and the long-standing standoffishness with those wielding magic had faded seemingly entirely.

-Long-standing standoffishness? Really?-

Hey, you word it better if you know how.

-…No time now. We need to ask about Sarenor.-

Tala chuckled and shook her head.

Their arrival was noted but didn’t cause much of an impact. Regardless, in less than a minute, Tala and Rane were approached by a clerk, the young man bowing as he drew near. “Master, Mistress, how can the Culinary Guild be of assistance today?”

“I am looking to check on a Culinary Guild member whom I last saw in the city some years back.”

By the young man’s suddenly rueful expression, he likely understood how varied ‘some years back’ could be for Mages. Even so, he kept a professional smile and attitude. “I will certainly do my utmost, Mistress. What was his name?”

“I only got his first name, Sarenor. But he had a truly massive, rather well styled beard, which he kept in check with a dimensionally expanded mask?”

The boy blinked a few times. “Oh! Well, I am afraid that he is not available, but if you are simply wishing for news of the man, I can convey some.”

Tala smiled. “That easily? I was concerned that you’d have to dig through old records or ask around or something.”

The clerk grinned. “Well, as you hinted, his beard is very distinct.”

She huffed a laugh at that. “Well, then, yes. I would love news of him.”

“He retired some five years ago, shortly after I took up this position.” He smiled fondly. “It’s one reason I remember so clearly, actually. He and his family moved to another city, though I don’t recall which. There was a large party for them, and he claimed that he, his children, and grandchildren would be opening up a restaurant.”

Tala smiled at the good news. “That is wonderful to hear. Thank you.”

“Would you like me to hunt up more information? I can likely find out which city he went to with relative ease.”

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She waved that off. “No, no. Thank you. I simply thought to check in, since I was in the city again.”

The clerk bowed again. “Then, I am glad to be of service. Is there anything further that we can do to assist?”

Tala glanced to Rane, and Rane shook his head. With that, she turned back. “No, thank you. I hope you have a wonderful day.”

“You as well, Mistress, Master.” With that, he turned and dove back into the flowing crowds of people, getting back to work without a backward glance.

Tala and Rane made their way out, before continuing their trek upward.

After a few minutes of silence, Rane glanced her way. “What’s on your mind?”

“Hmm?” She looked his way in turn. “Oh… It’s just that… he retired. I mean, he wasn’t young when I met him, but I wouldn’t have said he was old. Yet, in the time since I met him, he’s retired?”

Rane shrugged. “He’s not done working, it seems. He just moved into a different business. Do you want us to find where he went? We can go back.”

“No, no. It isn’t that. It’s just that…” She frowned. “Time is… slipping isn’t the right word. Rust, I can remember every moment between then and now, but it just feels like nothing. It seems like the barest of blips since I was here last, yet I keep encountering things that have changed so radically.”