Chapter 35: Leaving Home

Vito and Iris took the long way around to get home. He argued that they still needed to be careful, but there was another reason, one he didn’t want to talk about. He made certain to check on the Holy Church of Ivalis. There were no royal knights or guards around to harass the pastors. Iris ran ahead to convey Vito’s request.

The hamlet was almost completely deserted by the time they returned. Iris was surprised, but Vito seemed more resigned.

“Where is everyone?” Iris wondered aloud.

“They left, dear,” Holly replied. Galien, Kaelyn, Delwyn, Gloribean, Parsifal, Elion, and Amelsia joined them by the entrance.

“I knew it,” Vito admitted. “Greye was the cornerstone of this guild. Their protector. I knew many would want to leave. Life isn’t easy for an outcast, after all.”

“That’s why you wanted to rob Renaudin, to give them more than enough money to settle down wherever they wished,” Parsifal realized.

“In peace and security, yes. There are places where being an outcast doesn’t matter; they’re just far away from the capital. Our friends have more than enough to get there and live happily ever after,” Vito confirmed.

“Hmm!” Gloribrean grumbled. “I thought you wanted to crown yourself king with those riches.”

“So did I,” Kaelyn concurred.

Vito held up his license. “We’ll wish them well while we ride for the manor. For now, let’s put the Silver Oak Guild to sleep. When she wakes, Galien will lead her.” Everyone, including Gloribrean, held their licenses to Vito’s and joined the DeCapio Famiglia.

“Come on, our new carriage awaits. Bring everything to the forest clearing,” Vito told them.

Iris and Parsifal levitated their equipment and supplies as they left the hamlet for the last time. Holly looked back at her home with a forlorn expression.

“It’s only for a short while, mother,” Vito gently assured her. “This will always be our home, and it’ll be safe while we’re gone. Father Mertis himself will be adding protective spells to keep everyone away.”

Holly wiped away an errant tear. “Thank you.”

Vito smiled. “We have nothing to worry about. Father will keep an eye on the place for us as well.”

Holly briefly laughed and embraced her son. Vito saw a brief vision of Greye standing on the bridge. He smiled and waved at them. Greye vanished as a sunbeam pierced through the forest leaves.

The forest clearing and dirt road were just outside the hamlet’s protective barrier. A grandiose carriage made of the finest magic drasil wood and lined with gold waited for them. It was led by two mighty pegasi ready to take off.

“Such beautiful creatures,” Elion breathed. He slowly approached the winged beasts and gently caressed them. “They’re well taken care of,” he observed.

“What is this doing here?” Galien inquired.

“The head butler wanted to retire in comfort, so he sold it to me,” Vito answered. He opened a carriage door and revealed the spacious interior. “It’s a special carriage, you see. It’ll get us to Orinis in half the time, and it’s much bigger on the inside.”

Parsifal stepped inside and confirmed it. “A high-end model, roughly twice the size of his manor.” He walked outside and looked at the roof. “With a high-grade sacred ward. I approve.”

“Is there room for my animals?!” Elion quickly asked.

Vito smiled and nodded. “We’ll set a couple of rooms aside for your animals.” He turned to Gloribrean. “I believe there’s a forge in here as well.”

Gloribrean hefted his bag over his shoulder. “I’m not expecting much. No nobleman truly appreciates fine blacksmithing tools.”

Vito walked to the front of the carriage. “Let’s get everything loaded in and make our way to Orinis.” He worked with his friends to move as much of their equipment and personal belongings into the carriage while Iris worked with Elion to help situate his animals in a makeshift keep and made sure there was a space for the dragon egg.

The inside of the carriage was as gaudy as its former owner’s manor. Marble floors, decorative plants, and fine art as far as the eye could see. The new owners would enjoy the finer things in life, if only to spite their defeated enemy. Delwyn got an early lead by lying on a sofa without removing her armored boots. “We can do away with old tents on rocky ground and sleep in this carriage,” she commented. “There’s a spa, you know.”

“He was pure evil, but he had fine taste,” Vito remarked. “Did you pick out a room yet?”

“I saw a room with weapons, that’ll be mine.”

“That’s the armory, Delwyn. There’s not even a bed in there.”

Delwyn rolled over onto her side. “Yes, there is. I put it there myself.”

Vito smiled in exasperation. “Well, as long as you’re happy with it.” He left her to relax while he moved his stuff into his temporary room. He didn’t plan for them to live in the carriage for too long. They still had a manor to conquer.

Once he finished moving his equipment, and everyone took their seats in the parlor, Vito boarded the driver’s seat and offered Iris his hand. “Care to join me for a flight?”

Iris smiled brightly and took his hand. “I’d love to.” She sat beside him, her heart racing in anticipation. “I always wanted to fly on such a majestic creature.”

“Once we finish this mission, you can ride one as much as you’d like. For now, you’ll have to settle for riding behind them,” Vito remarked.

Iris playfully stuck her tongue out at him. He offered her the reins and let her take the lead. She gripped them tightly in her hands and spoke loudly. “Let’s go! Take off!”

The pegasi looked behind them, then ahead, and began to charge forward.

Vito assumed that she used the wrong commands, but the pegasi are intelligent enough to understand what she meant. He wouldn’t want to ruin her fun. She wore a mask of pure fiery joy as she watched the pegasi flap their wings.

Everyone braced themselves as the carriage soared in the air, carried by two great winged horses. Elion opened a small door near Vito so he could watch them fly.