Chapter 41: The Soul of Orinis

Morgaine compelled her forces to sleep in the forest while repairs and renovations were being made. Vito and the others returned to Orinis to report their victory to Reinfar and to receive treatment for their numerous wounds.

They gathered in the village clinic for treatment. Dr. Cuthbert had tended to their wounds before, and he was happy to see them again.“Ivalis has truly blessed you. To conquer that befouled place is nothing short of a miracle!” Reinfar celebrated.

Morgaine cleared her throat.

“It’s as I said, good elder. The Ashcroft family is as much a victim as we are. Morgaine was never evil, nor was her father,” Vito corrected him.

“Yes, of course,” he bowed his head to Morgaine. “I apologize, Lady Ashcroft. By all means, make yourself comfortable here in Orinis.”

Morgaine huffed, crossed her arms beneath her chest, and turned her head.

“Darkmourn Manor is safe, for the most part. The monsters are at rest in the forest,” Vito began.

“I always hated that name,” Morgaine stated.

Vito turned to her. “What’s your home’s true name. We’ll use it from now on.”

She looked at him from the corner of her eye. “Springsgale Manor. My father built it as a vacation home. We were forced to flee here after the conspiracy, and he paid the builders to help him reinforce it,” she looked down in sorrow. “Not that their efforts helped. A few even died fighting beside him.” Morgaine looked to Reinfar, a tear running down her cheek.

The elder approached her with a smile. “Then let us help you again. We will resume our ancestors’ work and restore Springsgale Manor to its former glory.”

Vito smiled. “I was hoping you would say that. Orinis rides to the Ashcrofts’ rescue again.”

Morgaine offered a genuine smile and nodded. “Yes. Please do.”

“It will be our honor, Lady Ashcroft.”

They met at the small Carpenters’ Association branch in Orinis to plan the restoration project. This association didn’t care about appearances. There were no comfortable couches or fragrant plants. Rather, it was a two-story workshop occupied by master carpenters and their finest tools and materials.

Vito provided the ancient plans to the experts while his friends gave their descriptions of the current interior.

“Even if you say the monsters have been subdued, the damage seems extensive. To clear a path through the forest alone will be a major undertaking,” the large and gruff carpenter explained.

“The new residents from Kyrenia are already looking for work, and I know many others will take up tools to help,” Reinfar told him.

Holly, Gloribrean, and Elion entered, each carrying a magic chest. “The DeCapio Famiglia will be covering all expenses,” Holly announced. The workers accepted the chests and readily agreed after seeing how much they were being paid.

“Boss! Let’s do it! We can pay everyone a year’s salary with just this job!”

The leader sighed and agreed. “Fine. We can afford some healers just in case.”

“Elion and I will be helping, too,” Gloribrean announced.

“Elion?” Vito was confused. “I didn’t know you were a carpenter.”

“My parents were builders. I wish to follow in their footsteps so that I might find them one day,” he revealed. “Please let me do this, Vito. I swear I won’t fail you.” Elion tried to put on a brave face.

Vito smiled and nodded. “Of course. Learn what you can and do your best.”

A thought occurred to him, and he turned to Morgaine. “Could your army help us with the heavy lifting and more dangerous tasks?”

Morgaine scoffed at the question. “Naturally. They act upon my will alone. They are my eyes and ears, should I need them to be.”

Vito and Parsifal exchanged a brief look and wondered for a moment why Morgaine didn’t panic when they found her phylactery. “Please have the humanoid monsters offer their aid, but only when one of us is around. Have them clear a path in the forest first,” Vito instructed her.

“We once had a paved pathway right to our gate,” Morgaine mentioned.

“Then we’ll restore it, just show us where it is.”

Morgaine tried to hide her happiness. “Follow me.”

Vito and Morgaine watched as large demon knights used their wicked swords to cut down trees and neatly set them aside. Smaller imps cleared roots and other debris away to reveal a stone pathway.

The workers stood well away from the scene, fearful of the monsters. Vito offered them a smile and assured them that it was safe. “Once the path is clear and safe to travel, they’ll get started on the manor. We’ll follow your instructions there,” Vito told her.

“As you should,” Morgaine sharply replied.

Vito chuckled and put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay to admit that you’re happy. Why don’t we go back to the village and eat lunch? I’ll cook.”

Morgaine gave him a surprised look, then she turned to hide her smile. “Fine. I’ll let you cook for me.”

He smirked and moved his hand to her waist to pull her closer. “Great! I’ll cook a feast to make up for all the meals you missed.”

“Wai-!” A deep shade of pink colored her pale skin.

He released her only to take her hand and lead her back to their carriage. “If there’s one thing a starving person needs, it’s fine Sicilian food.”

“I-I don’t know what that is!” She felt flustered, but she didn’t try to release her hand from his gentle hold.

Morgaine restlessly sat in the carriage’s dining room while Vito cooked for her. She had long since run out of food to eat, but it never really mattered to her. Liches didn’t need food or drink to survive. Even so, the savory scents that wafted through the carriage made her stomach grumble.

Vito took his time in the kitchen and carefully walked out carrying multiple plates in his arms. As he expected, Iris and Delwyn were waiting at the table.

“Finally! I’ve been looking forward to this,” Delwyn rubbed her hands together in anticipation.

“Let’s start simple with a nice maccu di fave. It’s a dense soup with beans and fennel. I did what I could with the local ingredients,” he announced.

While his friends ate, he brought out more dishes. “This is pasta 'ncasciata, just without the eggplants. I’m not sure that grows in this world.” Delwyn grabbed a plate before he could even set it down.

He retrieved a larger plate and set it down. “A dessert, of course. Cannolis are known the world over on Earth, and maybe I can make them just as famous here on Rhavina.” He joined them at the table and began to eat.

“This is delicious!” Delwyn exclaimed as she devoured the food before her.

“Thanks. It’s even better with the right ingredients. I think it would pass my nanna’s inspection, though.”

“Nanna?” Iris was confused.

“Sorry, my grandmother. She makes the best food in the world, and she made certain I had her recipes memorized.”

“My nanna didn’t really cook in a kitchen. She burned whatever wild game she found and made me eat it between training sessions,” Delwyn revealed.

“My nanna died when I was young, but my mother let me help her in the kitchen,” Iris joined in. “What’s the word for 'mother' in that language you speak?”

“Matri, and it’s Sicilian,” Vito helpfully answered.

“I think my matri worked in a shameful business, but I’m not sure,” Delwyn muttered while she finished her soup.

Vito looked at Morgaine from the corner of her eye. She was relaxed while happily eating his food. He saw a tear roll down her cheek. Iris and Delwyn saw how happy she was to sit and eat with other people, though none of them mentioned it aloud. Rather, they continued their conversations well into the evening. Delwyn demanded more pastries from Vito, while Iris demanded that he write his recipes down for her.