38 – A Candid Conversation

Her conversation with Rafael carried on for a while. There was a lot to discuss. Not just about Archmage Aeris, the Institute, and her immediate goals, but the world in general.

Honestly, she forgot at least half of what Rafael lectured her about, and she was pretty sure he knew it. Still, he informed her of the major political and social happenings of the past century. Regardless of whether she would make good use of that knowledge—or keep it in her head at all—the man clearly believed that giving her a full debriefing was a matter of stewardly principle.

Of a more immediately useful note, he provided her with an alternate identity, one that would hold up to scrutiny. ‘Nysari Keresi,’ a powerful demonic mage. Until they decided how to handle the full reveal that the Sorceress and thus Vanguard had returned, she would be using that name to accomplish tasks in the city, such as visiting the Institute without needing to sneak in.

He also elaborated on each of the craftsmen and their situations, which she paid closer attention to. Reuniting Vanguard was her major goal, taking second priority only to a visit to the Institute to suss out more about the dimensional anomaly, and perhaps help in their research.

Both would happen tomorrow. Evening dragged on, with nightfall imminent, and she had a trouble-magnet apprentice to check on.

Surprisingly, The Briar and the Bramble hadn’t been torn into a separate dimension, nor was it being assailed by a back-from-the-dead Ashen Hierophant. Even Saffra had limits on how much misfortune she could call down. Or hurl herself into.

Inside, Missus Tilly bustled between tables. The cozy inn’s activity had picked up for the dinner rush, though not overmuch so. It served a scarcer, more elite clientele than commoners, though it was no place nobility frequented. Simply a higher-rank adventurers’ inn.

Vivi wondered whether Tilly was the owner of the establishment or a simple barmaid. She intuited the former solely from the aura she carried. Something about the matronly woman suggested she ruled this domain. But that might just be her personality.

Tilly spotted Vivi as she entered and swiftly finished what she’d been doing.

“I put her up in a room,” she said, wiping her hands on her apron as she walked over. “Started practicing and wiped herself out, poor girl. Always been too hard a worker. Come now, kitchen’s winding down, but I’ve got a pot of slow-braised mutton simmering. On the house.”

Vivi had, in fact, not eaten, and the smell pervading the inn was heavenly. She let herself be led to a table by Tilly. “Thank you,” she said, “but I can pay.”

“I’m sure you can, dear. With the way Saffra talked about you, I bet you see more coin in a hunt than my inn does each year. But we’re not struggling, and it’s not about the coin. You dragged that troublesome girl back, safe and sound, and I might finally get answers. For that I’ll be forever grateful. So I insist. It’s on the house.” The warm smile, while kind, held not a shred of yielding in it.

Vivi knew how to pick her battles. “Thank you again, then.”

She slipped into her seat, and Tilly disappeared. She returned a few minutes later with two trays of food. “Mind if I join you?” she asked. “Haven’t eaten myself, and there’s no getting to know another person like over a meal.”

“Of course.”

Vivi could feel awkward meeting new people under any circumstance, and the fact that this would be an interrogation didn’t help. Tilly clearly viewed herself as Saffra’s protector—or at least had some sort of motherly mindset toward the girl—and she would no doubt be evaluating this strange demon-woman who had randomly appeared in her life.

But since Vivisari’s body was immune to fidgeting and outward displays of awkwardness, she felt far more comfortable by default. She really did appreciate the enforced stoicism. Vivisari had all the luck, if she’d never had to deal with the desire to shift around and squirm whenever she felt out of place.

“We’ve got a few things to talk about, you and I,” Tilly said, happily digging into her meal, prompting Vivi to do the same. “But my rudeness has limits. Proper introductions are in order. Tilly Tanswell. My husband and I run this establishment, and have for thirty-two years. Before that, it was my father’s, and my father’s father’s. This building is all but part of the family it’s been with us for so long. Burnt down twice over and rebuilt better than before each time. You’d think we’d have learned with the first though, eh?”

“It’s lovely,” Vivi offered.

Tilly bobbed her head in agreement. “That it is.”

It was clearly Vivi’s turn to introduce herself. But what did she say? For all that subterfuge would be impossible long-term, claiming Vivisari’s name would be…too much. The entire interaction would be colored by that. Never mind how Tilly wouldn’t believe her.

“Vivi,” she finally said. “Mage.”

Tilly hesitated at the sparse words, but if she was offended, she showed no signs of it. “Adventurer?”

“Not exactly.”

“Retired?”

“…partially.”

“Personally, I don’t think there’s such a thing as partially retired,” Tilly laughed. “But all right, I won’t pry. Might in another situation, but Saffra isn’t the sort to go gallivanting off with someone she doesn’t trust, and that says mountains for your character.” The smile faded, a frown replacing it. “That girl knows how to pick out the bad sorts, better than anyone her age should. Which is what I wanted to talk to you about. As I’m sure you guessed.”

Vivi nodded.

“Since you want to keep your business your own—and that’s no problem—I’ll get straight to it. You’ve taken her as an apprentice?”

“I have.”

“Why?”

“Because she seems like someone worth teaching.”

“How did you two meet?”

Vivi paused.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“She was awfully vague,” Tilly said, shaking her head. “Like squeezing blood from stone when that girl doesn’t want to share. I hope you can put me at ease, at least.”

Vivi hesitated, then sighed. “We didn’t meet under pleasant circumstances.”

When Tilly insisted she explain, she gave a summarization of events. Tilly seemed disgusted, as appropriate, then angry, and finally resigned. She shook her head. “I don’t know how she’s always getting into these situations,” she muttered. “Thank the heavens you were there. I don’t want to imagine.”

Vivi didn’t either. Thinking about what would have happened if she hadn’t listened to Saffra’s paranoia made her skin crawl.

“I’m glad she’s found someone to rely on, at least,” Tilly said. “From the way she talks about it, though, she doesn’t think this arrangement is going to last.”

“She doesn’t? Why?”

“Is it temporary?”

“I told her I’d be busy, and that it’s not a standard apprenticeship. But I intend to make time to teach her, and barring that, I’ll arrange other tutors to fill the gaps.”