[B2] Chapter 30 — An Irrefusable Request

Ria’s thoughts wandered as she ran a hand over the smoothed twistings of her new bracelet… or maybe she should call it a bracer? It probably would provide protection as well as a bracer. The dense metal wasn’t soft like gold, and had been difficult to work her hand and wrist through.

“That went much more quickly than expected—and with very promising results,” Hulle commented from opposite her, leaning back on the cushioned bench of the carriage with a faint but smug lift to the corner of his mouth. “If you’re not in a hurry to return, it seems we have some time. Is there any place you would like to visit? The former royal castle perhaps? Anything in particular you’re looking to buy? Or maybe you’d prefer a meal served by a famous chef? I can pay, of course.”

“I need to purchase some incense from the Temple of Ellnys, if that would be fine?” Ria requested. Touring the city did sound like fun, but the incense needed to come first.

Hulle’s eyebrow raised then he nodded, remembering. “Ah, for your soul-strengthening training. Yes, that's an excellent idea. Booke, if you would?”

The driver nodded and skillfully worked the reins, ringing a small bell on the side of the carriage to alert people on foot as the horses resumed their stately trot along the cobblestones.

“Did you know that the pearl and the bracelet were there?” Ria asked Hulle.

The blonde boy made a lazy dismissive motion. “No, but assuming that your affinity had something to do with time and gold, Martina’s shop likely has the oldest gold and other metals to be found in the city. If she didn’t have exactly what you needed, we could commission her to acquire it for us. The important thing was discovering what you needed—for it to have been orichalum was outside my expectations. What it means...”

Hulle looked as if he would say more on the topic but trailed off, gave her a brief smile, and shrugged.

“Woof?” Ranger queried.

“Oh, that’s a good idea, Ranger. We should get you something to match your affinity as well,” Ria agreed. “I hadn’t thought of it, but now that you’re a magic beast, you might be able to do magic, and a focus tool should help you with that.”

Ranger’s doggy brow rose in surprise. “Woof? Woof!”

“Yep!” Ria chuckled. “Though with our coins mostly spent, I might have to make it for you myself.”

“A decent familiar’s collar with an earth attunement should be readily available at the Enchanters Guild for less than a gold, maybe even just a few silver,” Hulle advised.

The idea alone had Ranger excited enough that his tail was whipping about, but he assured Ria that he could wait a few days if necessary. Ria chuckled at how he was barely restraining his excitement as it was. Having Arthur pick one up was probably the best bet, and quickly contacting Rigure’s grandson using the communication stone proved that was indeed the case.

Ria looked around in surprise as they began to leave the wealthier area of the city. The smell became offensive enough even in the spring air that Verenzio activated the carriage’s protective magic.

At Ria’s querying gaze, Hulle chuckled. “You didn’t know the Temple of Ellnys is located in the lower wards?”

She shook her head.

While Hulle was explaining about how the Church of Ellnys often builds temples and monasteries in poor areas to entrap a steady flow of locals into debt-service to the church, a black crow swooped down only to change direction at the last second before almost impacting the carriage’s defensive constraints—a crow that seemed a lot like the one that had landed on Keira’s carriage the other day.

Hulle followed her gaze and also watched as the crow flew up onto a nearby roof. “Good eye, Ria. That’s probably a familiar. Though the aura is weak, so I wouldn't think its contractor is particularly strong, maybe a first or second year student.”

Ria’s eyes widened at the possibility that her discussion with Keira about soul-magic might have been overheard.

“Don’t worry. The carriage’s defenses also give us privacy.” A faint smirk formed on Hulle’s face. “Speaking of spying and rumors, I had an interesting conversation with a certain third-year from Twilight’s Cloak.”

A cold sweat formed on Ria’s back. She should have realized that two third-years might know each other! …at least he didn’t seem angry with her.

“Looks like I was right to entice Desi to keep an ear out in case someone organized an effort to remind you of your place,” Hulle stated. “I’m a little surprised a move was made so quickly. Your ability to upset the existing social order is approaching legendary.”

Ria bristled at the unfair characterization. It wasn't as if she was causing trouble intentionally! Wait. Desi was there because of Hulle?

What to think about that... she wasn’t sure. But lying or hiding things was probably pointless, and cringing, she admitted, “Desi found out I was a wild talent. I traded information and a promise for future information in exchange for her spreading damaging secrets about the girls who attacked me and keeping quiet about me being a wild talent until after the start of the Summer Games.”

Hulle hummed and gave her a long consideration, making her shift nervously and fiddle with her skirt before he gave his judgement, “Consequences are needed to discourage future acts against you—preferably in a way that doesn’t implicate you or lead to further escalation. Making use of Desi’s talents is a good way to handle it. I would have arranged this myself if you hadn’t.”

Relief washed over Ria as she realized that Hulle was praising her, but she wasn’t out of the woods yet. “Um, there was one other matter I wanted to discuss…”

“Oh?” A faint smile again graced his mouth. “That you’re having to build up your courage first makes me quite curious what you could possibly be up to that would need my approval.”

Before Ria could voice her request, Verenzio leaned close to his Novidus Young Master and whispered something.

Again Hulle hummed, and nonchalantly motioned over his shoulder in the direction of the grand temple rising out of the midst of the maze of smaller ramshackle row houses and other buildings that mostly comprised the area. “This matter you’re hesitant to bring up, you wouldn’t happen to owe a debt to the Church of Ellnys, would you?”

Wha-? Ria tilted her head, her mind blanking at the sudden and surprising change in topic. Where’d that come from? Was Hulle’s chaperone just being cautious? “I’ve never been to a temple of Ellnys before, so...”

“Don’t mind it then.” Hulle calmly waved the question away. “So, this matter you wanted to discuss?”

Ria was still confused, but pressed onward, “Um, it’s about Iselyn and me. Zena... Zena Emberflow wants us to join a new arena team with her to compete in Divinesday events in exchange for her walking me to my second morning class each day, and since you wanted to hide our abilities and avoid duels, I wasn’t sure what answer to give…”

The carriage’s progress slowed as Booke had to take account of the increasing number of people on foot most likely heading to and from the temple after the day’s work had concluded. The buildings lining the road ahead were growing progressively nicer as they drew closer to the temple, and looking ahead between the rows of buildings, a large cobblestone circle with a communal fountain and tall stature could be seen—a statue of what Ria assumed was the goddess Ellnys holding up a blue glass vial to catch the light.

After gazing out at the people, houses, and shops passing by for a while, Hulle asked, “Are you interested because you need the prize money?”

“There’s prize money?” Ria blurted out in surprise, causing the third-year boy to chuckle and shake his head in bemusement.

“Of course, why else would people risk their lives to compete?”

Ah-! Iselyn might really be after the prize money even if the reasons she gave were different! But was that really why Zena wanted to compete? Somehow, Ria had the impression that Zena would fight just for fun.

“I-I see. Is it a lot of money?” Ria asked. Could it be that if Hulle allowed it, her money worries might be over?

“It can be,” Hulle admitted. “Just competing might only earn a few silver marks, but each win can bring in gold. In addition to the tournament’s offered prizes, participants normally get a portion of the profits from the betting—which can be a substantial sum of coin when popular teams are competing.”

If she had to use more than a few silver marks worth of energy then, other than the experience, it wouldn’t be worth doing unless they won. “Can we win?”

The older boy laughed. “With Iselyn and a hero’s daughter at your side, the Newcomer events would be quite doable, I would think—the open competitions less so.”

If it wouldn’t result in more trouble for her, Ria was eager to test her skill, and if she could improve her finances that was even better.

With Hulle not giving her a clear answer, Ria followed his gaze to the fountain where children were playing, splashing water, and mothers chatted with each other while filling large jars. Most of their clothing was worn or patched, colors faded. They didn’t seem unhappy.

Booke maneuvered the carriage to an empty stretch of the wide steps, stopping between two other carriages waiting for their noble occupants to return. Ria let her eyes travel up the white stone steps to the temple’s white columns and the walkway that wrapped around the smooth white stone of the building. The green and vivid colors of spring blooms could be seen from garden terraces that cut into the sides of the building and formed its roof in places.

“Stay here, Verenzio. Keep an eye on… things,” Hulle instructed.

The chaperone made a conflicted face but nodded. “As you wish, Young Master.”

Ria was surprised by the exchange, but surely, even Hulle would be unlikely to cause trouble within a temple. Maybe that was why the old mage agreed?

Booke came around to open the carriage door and as Verenzio deactivated the carriage’s protective magic, Ria braced herself for the inevitable stench that was sure to follow, but the air had a surprisingly clean smell to it, even in the middle of the Lower Wards.

When she activated her energy sight, Ria had to squint at the glow that suffused the air and ground. The fountain was clearly enchanted… or was it because the goddess had blessed it?

“Ria?” Hulle prompted, and she blinked away the visual energy sensing and let the boy help her down from the carriage.

When she and Hulle reached the top of the short flight of steps, a plainly-robed priestess came out to greet them and lead them inside the temple to a reception hall, busy with supplicants queuing at several counters and either being sold medicines or led further into the temple, presumably for more specialized treatment. Sunlight pleasantly lit the hall from large windows, and potted plants and trees made the marble hall a more welcoming space. A calming smell drifted on the air.

“I’ll handle it from here, Sister June,” a monk stated quietly as he approached. “Ria of Shadewood. The High Priestess requests your presence in her meditation garden above. Will you come? You can bring your familiar, of course.”

“Woof!” Ranger approved.

Hulle raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure you don’t owe the Church a debt?”

Ria shot him a ‘knock it off’ look. But… did he know something she didn’t? As a follower of Hemse, what business could Ellnys’ High Priestess possibly have with her? More than odd, it was honestly intimidating… and maybe a little worrying.

“Just a moment,” Ria stalled. Her reservations aside, she didn’t dare refuse or even keep the High Priestess waiting, but leaving Hulle to stand around would be rude, and she really did need the incense. Making up her mind, Ria pressed the incense list and her remaining gold coins, minus the misshapen one, into Hulle’s hand. “Can you purchase the incense for me?”

At his bemused expression, she gave him her cutest smile and added a “Please.”

The corner of Hulle’s mouth tugged upward, and he made a flourish with his hand. “As the young mistress wills.”

Ria rolled her eyes but still thanked the noble boy and indicated for the monk to lead on.