Chapter 31 - Arrangements

Hanna clicked her tongue. “You should at least finish your breakfast before speaking.” She pointed out while following her own advice.

“I can manage.” Silinth shamelessly stuffed a large fork of food in his mouth, chewed for a moment and swallowed.

It was like watching a kid rebel against his guardian. Mila did her best to act the opposite. She graciously began eating, doing her best to show proper manners.

While Isabel did her best to act appropriately, the same could not be said about Andrew and his pet companion. They both decided Silinth’s example was good enough and started to eat from the same plate at the same time.

“You are the same as in the past.” Hanna sighed.

“And you are entirely different.” Silinth shot back while glancing down at her waist.

“Time changes a woman.” Hanna ignored the jab at her figure while she cut a piece of meat on her plate.

“What was that about training?” Nordly suddenly inserted. He studied the large man ravenously consuming food with suspicion.

“I am going to drill some sense in you.” Silinth smiled at the boy evilly. “And your brother. But mostly you. I hear Bazil is going to help Harry behind the counter for most of the day.

Bazil nodded while Nordly started to frown. “I already have a teacher.” He looked towards his mother. “Mom paid a lot of coin for his guidance.”

Hanna was unperturbed. “Silinth is better and is going to work for free.”

“That’s Mr. Ampry for you, boy.” Silinth played his role. “Or Instructor Ampry.”

Even now, Nordly did not look convinced. Still, seeing his Mother not looking at him, he could not escape the decision. “Are you his pupil too?” He chose to ask.

Mila stopped the fork midway and looked at the boy. “Are you talking with me?” She tilted her head.

“Yes,” Nordly affirmed. “I have been training to become a great warrior.” He announced. “My teacher says I have great talent.”

“I-” Mila mulled over her words. “I am not. Not really.” She finally said. “They are.” Her fork pointed at Isabel and Andrew.

“But they are adults.” Nordly looked at the duo in surprise.

Mila wanted to point out that she was an adult as well, but Silinth was done with his dish and started to speak.

“As you heard, I am going to train these as well. It means we are going to stay here for a while. Tiff is mostly fine, but it will take at least a week for Kefo to fully heal. Just to be sure there are no complications, it can take longer.”

“Those fires he was burnt with-” Hanna inserted. “Do more than just burn.”

“That old fart probably was the one who taught the younger cretin that spell,” Silinth grumbled. “Anyway, I and Hanna agreed we can stay here for at least a month.”

“If you don’t go out.” Hanna nodded.

“If I don’t go out,” Silinth repeated.

“And don’t show to anyone.”

“Hanna, please. I am not your child. I am almost twice as old as you. I know how to stay hidden.“ Silinth whined.

Or at least that’s what it sounded like to Mila.

“Where was I? Ah yes! It doesn’t mean you all have to stay holed inside. There are some-” Silinth’s fingers cramped. “Complications besides the disturbance we made. So it’s better to get familiar with the world sooner than later.”

“That’s where Harry comes in.” Hanna stopped Silinth once again as she put her hand on her husband’s.

Harry coughed before speaking. “I’ll be teaching you the local customs. Nothing much. Just what not to do and how not to offend the local Temple. Or Temples in general.” He glanced at his wife.

“Yes. I doubt Silinth, the hermit he is, taught you much of it.” Hanna remarked. “Besides-” She put down her fork. “With how our dear King has pushed for changes, some things have changed in the past few years.”

“Can a King do that?” Mila wondered. “Just push for changes in how Temples work.”

Hanna looked at Mila. “No, but the reality is different. King Oispio is a rather charming man. And wealthy. He is not trying to change much, just putting more emphasis on beauty instead of just nature and promises great investments if his demands are met.”

“So it’s all about money?” Mila found it hard to believe. Would there not be a big push against it? It was the general faith of the masses. It couldn’t be that simple.

“It’s hard to tell.” Harry shook his head and sighed. “People are definitely not happy. At least those who work in fields. But in the end, what can they do when Temple itself is welcoming the change?”

“Not welcoming.” Hanna contested. “There has been a pushback.”

“Rumours.” Harry dismissed her addition.

“Unimportant.” Silinth spitefully stopped them. “They are always chasing their own good. But yeah, do learn about their ways. It makes it easier to hate them.”

Hanna and Harry shook their heads. They clearly didn’t quite agree with the strong opinion Silinth held.

“So that’s that.” Silinth ignored the awkwardness. “We are resuming the lessons a bit later. So don’t wander away.” He glared at Andrew and Isabel. “That includes you two.” He then pointed at the brothers.

The rest of the breakfast was spent idly talking about the current events in the city. Mila stayed silent, studying new acquaintances.

There wasn’t much to say about them. They were a pleasant, simple family. Despite her earlier fears of them being dangerous, there were no signs of that.

It was also funny to see Hanna bully Silinth. They clearly had a history together. Not that she would raise that particular question. Instead, she poked Isabel’s thigh while pretending to be studying the painting of a harsh woman on the wall.

Isabel yelped in surprise, garnering the attention of the people around her. Mila’s not-girlfriend blushed while apologising furiously, murmuring something about a bug. Though Mila also received a couple of glances.

Nordly especially seemed to be suspicious of Mila. She met his gaze calmly and smiled, making him awert his eyes.

Seeing she was victorious, Mila poked Isabel once more. Just to be left disappointed. There was no exaggerated reaction this time. She did receive a poke in return, which meant another victory for Mila.

At the end of their meal, Hanna explained they were considered their guests and shouldn’t hide. “Got it?” She asked another time.

When the trio nodded while Mr Crow cawed.

Despite this, Hanna explained it once more. “You came from Velg, seeking a safer place to live. You are distant relatives from my father's side. You arrived a week ago. I’ll get Galtron to do something about the records to make it more believable. Some guards are old hands and know how the world works.”

Everyone nodded again while Harry and Bazil walked towards one of the buildings.

“That’s our shop,” Hanna explained. “Our family sells medicine. Harry and Bazil work with customers while I make products.”

“And I am a deterrent to keep unsavoury folks away.” Nordly boasted. “And I am going to be your guide around the hose and beyond!”

“My, how dependable.” Mila nodded along while reminding herself of how beautiful Isabel’s eyes were.

Silinth slapped Nordly’s back of the head. “Go get ready for training.” He instructed. “All of you. There is not enough space here for proper physical training, but running around the yard is still better than nothing. I’ll see if we can free up some space for some weights. We need to get some training weapons as well.” He started to grumble about how lacking this place was.

“This is one of the larger properties around.” Nordly defended his home. “Grandmother paid a lot of money to buy it.”

“I know more about your grandmother than you.” Silinth sneered. “I doubt that old hag paid nearly as much as this place was worth.”

Nordly opened his mouth to protest, but Andrew stopped him. “It’s not worth it.” He shook his head. “The more you argue, the more you’ll have to work.” He sagely explained.

While Andrew explained the truths of life to the boy, Mila waved for Isabel to follow and left them behind.

Mila poked Isabel’s side and dodged the retaliation. “So slow.” She melodramatically sighed and poked her not-girlfriend’s stomach.

Isabel threateningly wiggled her finger and straightened her pose to intimidate Mila. “Now you have done it!” She stomped forward.

“Ah, no, please! Spare me!” Mila retreated inside the building, housing their rooms. Isabel didn’t stop. She pressed on as Mila soon found herself with a back against the wall.

“No, please, young lady.” Mila faked a scared expression. “Please, I’ll do anything you wish, just don’t punish me.” She begged.

And it had an effect. Isabel turned red, her breathing quickened, and her eyes ran all over Mila’s body. With her finger still in the air, she indecisively shuffled on her feet, still choosing to close in on Mila.

Isabel’s hand pressed against the wall, closing off an escape path. Her finger hovered just an inch away from poking Mila’s stomach.

“Wh- What will you do to me?” Mila looked upwards while tilting her head, making her hair flow sideways. “I am a proper young girl. Please don’t do anything-” She licked her lips. “Wicked to my inexperienced body.”

Isabel’s breath hitched. Her lips trembled. The finger she used as a weapon slowly pressed against Mila’s tummy and slid lower. “Ah, I-” Isabel started to shake. Her body slowly pressed closer. “Uh-” The confidence was slowly leaving her body.

“What are you two up to?” Andrew’s voice suddenly interrupted their fun.

While exclaiming in surprise, Isabel jumped back while raising her hands in the air. “Nothing!” She loudly proclaimed. “Definitely nothing!” Her eyes swam around, seeking a path to escape. “Gotta go and change clothes. Bye.”

Isabel shot straight to her room, and a moment later, she vanished in it, slamming the doors behind her.

Mila glared at Andrew.

“What?” He sent her a disapproving look. “This is not the place for that.”

Mila narrowed her eyes.

“I am not going to wait until you two are finished with whatever that was. I need to get ready as well.” He defended himself.

“You’ll pay for this.” Mila huffed and walked away.

“For what?” There was a tinge of worry in Andrew’s voice. “Mr Crow, tell her!” A series of caws followed, explaining why Mila was wrong. “See, it totally does not make sense!”

But she didn’t care. It was such a sweet moment. Mila stomped inside her room. And Andrew had ruined it.

Judging from Isabel’s reaction, it would be hard to repeat this feat.

It wasn’t like Mila hoped for a kiss. She puffed her cheeks and dropped into her bed. It was better that they didn’t rush.

Andrew was correct when he said it was not the place for that. But it felt like a waste.

Mila got up and started to change.

In the end, it didn’t matter. Mila would have her victory. She heard a muffled scream full of frustration in the room next to hers.

It seemed Isabel was not satisfied with the outcome either.

Mila finished changing and slapped her cheeks. It was only the beginning. There was no way Mila would let things stand as they were.

That said - they were definitely dating, right? This small moment definitely meant they were, right? Mila repeated it to herself several more times before finally leaving her room.