* The Ruby Oracle Reveals Himself

*

Taking a deep breath, I cleared my throat.

“Hey, everyone, could I have your attention?” I asked, looking to the two visible peers.

Unfortunately, Rionriv continued to fiddle with the window, and Sharzin remained hidden. But then there was Aesandoral, who observed me like a cat watching a toy.

Well, at least I can get her attention. But as I thought this, I watched the elf's attentive stare shift to another portion of the room, distracted by something hanging from my walls.

And I lost her.

Rubbing my brows, I sighed and debated what I was doing. Thoughts on how to gain the triop's undivided attention flowed through my mind like leaves swept along by a stream. As I internally struggled with this, I watched them exploring my room filled with knock-off World Eighty-Two items. Confused, curious, and interested looks washed over their faces as they poked and prodded, eventually growing bored with the items. Finally, with a bit of coaxing, I was able to wrangle the attention of all three members of the triop. And, once I had them, I began with a question that I hoped I knew the answer to.

“How did the meeting with Professor Skir—erm, the teacher you were working with—go?”

“Professor Skirrtlegirt—”

“Bwaha—eherm." I caught myself mid-cackle. "I’m so sorry. Please continue.”

“The professor,” Rionriv continued to explain to me. “Was skeptical to let us in his office at first, but became very impressed by our find. When we told him what we had done and provided him with the materials, he even cried.”

“It was blood,” Sharzin spoke up. "From his eyes. Not tears."

“I’m sorry, what?”

“Yeah, that’s what happens when a frangulnoa almost kills you.” Aesandoral informed me, “If you’re restored to health before you fully transform into one, you cry blood going forward.”

“What happens if you’re restored after you fully transform?”

“Oh, you don’t. You explode into a pink mist and are freed of its eternal torment.”

What the fuuu—wait, then why not say...never mind.

“Ohhh-kayyy. So, what does that mean for your group?”

Rionriv smirked proudly as she gave me a thumbs-up.

“We’re all good! He wasn’t the most excited to pass us, but he said he respected our follow-through. Whatever that means. So Aesandoral and Sharzin are officially freed from their additional coursework.”

"Yeah!" The elf propped herself up on the bed, sitting back on her knees adorably with her hands resting between her thighs. "Thank you! You're my hero!"

"Hey, the extra credit was my idea!" Rionriv protested.

"Yeah, but his book-thingy got it for us!"

With a pout, Rionriv's eyes narrowed to frustrated slits, looking between Aesandoral and me. The intense stare caused my heart to pound. With a clearing of my throat, I attempted to move the conversation along.

“This is great news! I'm glad I could free up some of your course load. Now, if I could ask you all again, how about you work with me? I don’t have a triop. You do. And I’m looking to make you money while ensuring the best possible future for this world.”

The three of them looked at each other before the elf and groundling locked their gaze on Rionriv. Quickly jumping off the bed, the sorceress marched forward and stood before me.

I was still growing, or at least I hoped, so currently we stood at roughly the same height. Her intimidating posture was made more intense as she brought her face right up to mine. Placing a finger to my forehead, Rionriv gave it a push.

“We need to hear what your deal is first,” She ordered. “Sell us on you and your abilities, and we’ll consider it.”

Luckily, I had been practicing this bit while I waited for them to return to the shoppe.

“That’s fair. You deserve to know what we’ll truly be doing,” I said as I walked over to the portable CD radio and changed to a more dramatic song.

Switching to that one about Tween Spirit, I began.

“I am Ishara, yes."

"Last name?" Rionriv immediately interrupted.

Goddamn it, already? Also, shit. Do I have a last name? I mean, I'm sure Ishara does, but I don't know it. And there is no way in hell I'm using Tahvin's last name. That mouthful can die with my old body.

"No last name. I also don't like being interrupted, so please, let me get through my monologue, and then you can ask anything you want."

Rionriv huffed as I watched Aesandoral gently reach from the bed. She took hold of her friend and pulled her back to the mattress, where she sat and begrudgingly listened.

"Okay, where was I? Right. Ishara. That's me, but I bear a title given to me by my patron, Phyllis. A title and a responsibility. For I am the Ruby Oracle!" 

At this, I watched Aesandoral and Rionriv casting suspicious glances at each other before returning their attention to me. Luckily, both remained quiet, giving me the space to continue with my speech.

"I walk Esseria in this final age to fix an ancient wrong using my knowledge of everything that has been and could be for years to come. And, while I will never be the main character of this world’s narrative, I have my own quest before me, and I need your help. Will you travel what remains of this great world of Esseria, and maybe even beyond our realm of existence, at my side to face innumerable foes? We will dive into forgotten dungeons, slay legendary creatures, and get rich beyond our wildest dreams! Then, with the courage and cunning that we displayed doing this, we’ll gain allies and, in a few years, when the final war starts, be in a position to help those displaced.”

Whoops. I hadn’t planned to say that last bit, but it sounded good. So, I’m going to roll with it.

“A war?” Aesandoral blurted out with a start.

“Yes, one that puts the Two-Generation War to shame," I replied with a preparedness that hinted at my being ready for that exact question. "I’m sure they’ve talked about that in a few of your classes. This upcoming war will touch every corner of the world, and what comes after the dust settles—well, that’s my job to worry about.”

“Okay.” Rionriv nodded before crossing her arms. “And what do you want?”

“Peace, obviously. A unifying and everlasting one that allows everyone to progress and finally end this cycle of cyclical pain. But, selfishly, I also want a place to enjoy my own peace—you know? It’s funny because the area I’m looking at is a small village which lies between Goodshore and Valenkamp. I was considering buying a bit of land there, so maybe one day we can all travel and—”

“The village between Goodshore and Valenkamp? That creepy, haunted little podunk hamlet? Yeah, hard pass.” Rionriv stepped away from me. “But the rest seems pretty normal. I mean, it's kind of ‘Little Miss Goodshore’ pageantry, though—so, I don’t know how much I believe you, but they seem to.”

Aesandoral and Sharzin looked between Rionriv and me, nodding agreeably with her statement.

“But hear me, our triop has some rules, got it?! Firstly, we’re graduating from Al’Magi.”

“Yeah, yeah, you can continue to attend." I sighed at this, confused why anyone would choose school over real-world experiences. "I’ll adjust our adventuring schedule accordingly.”

“Second, if at any point we determine what you’re doing is nefarious, we reserve the right to leave and kill you.”

“Fair—wait, leave me, then kill me? Isn’t that backwa—whatever, as excessive as that is, sure.”

“Just don’t be evil,” Sharzin said from the bed where she cuddled with one of my decorative bed pillows. "Okay?"

I nodded towards the adorable groundling, finding her shyly hidden face unbelievably cute at that moment.

“And third, we demand an equal share for all bounty.”

“Yeah, that’s reasonable.” I nodded, tossing the purse from earlier to Rionriv. “I want you to know, I’m not worried about the money. Hell, I’ll find a way to handle our group's expenses for the beginning bit. Whatever it takes to make sure the world moves towards an agreeable and happy ending.”

“And do we get to know what that ominous statement means?”

“Not yet. I don’t trust you enough with that information. But don’t be evil, and one day I will."

I winked towards them and flashed a smile as I continued.

"So, do we have a deal?”

The triop exchanged glances and whispers before Rionriv turned back to me.

“We have a deal.”

Reaching a hand out to Rionriv, she inspected it curiously before taking it. With a firm shake, the tense air in the room faded, and it felt as though I was suddenly amongst friends. Squeals of joy came from Aesandoral as she whispered something to Sharzin.

With a smile on my face, I crossed the tight space, reaching over to two to lift the poster concealing the minibar. Withdrawing a pair of hand-rolled sticks of the finest fyreleaf that I had gotten as a signing bonus, I barely had a moment to ask if they wanted to partake before Aesandoral ripped the joints from my hand.

“Nice! We share?” She asked excitedly, holding out both cigarettes to Rionriv, who, with an arc of electricity between her fingers, ignited the dried herb.

“Uh, yeah.” I laughed as they surprised me with their openness.

My heart began to race as I watched both Aesandoral and Rionriv eagerly partaking in the herb. They smiled as their posture relaxed, passing the joints towards Sharzin and me. Grabbing the spliff, I smirked before pulling it to my lips. Much like the other mysteries of this world, not a part of my story, I had no idea what to expect from my new travelling companions. But one thing was certain. This group was going to be interesting.