The party was underway although it seemed clear it would not be too wild of one. Still, Lena was enjoying herself despite all that was on her mind. They had a long day ahead of them tomorrow after all and everybody knew to stay well-rested for the coming trek. They would all be on high alert for the duration.

The spring was a particularly active period in Doc Forrest, both from outside influences and at times ones from within. The Cloven did their spring cleaning, driving out predators who had snuck into their realm, or even spawned out of some previously benign flock, over the winter. And the Mantis Hives would be looking to fill new quotas, depending on their success or lack thereof over the winter, they could be looking to compensate at everyone else’s expense.

Then there were the possible roaming bandit gangs or beast migrations to watch out for. Even unknown underground dungeons, buried cities and the like, could hold dangerous populations that suddenly came spilling out to make a home above ground. Frankly the rest of Doc Forrest’s denizens did just as big a part in keeping the current ecosystem intact as humanity nowadays.

Despite the hazards that were looming outside of town, it was certainly a party. Brunner had reversed his hatchets and was drumming a log, while Harold showed how he could hold a decent tune. Lena was backing him up in a raunchy duet about a hostler who bought a fertility tincture from a passing Foxkin and then convinced a prude innkeeper to try it with her, only to have all that suppressed sexual energy come at her in an avalanche in a classic role-reversal.

Simple bar songs that they had all hummed in Salcret a thousand times each one of them. But it was different singing it this time. Lena had been part of a hundred going away parties over the past decade and a half, she was finally having one of her own. If she had known how massive the difference, she would have done it all the sooner, and probably with people she herself grew up with.

Still, with everything in front of them the past was the last thing on her mind, she was simply reflecting over what it all must have felt like for them, way back then.

Finally getting her own chance Lena felt duty-bound not to miss one second. She had not drunk a drop but she was singing and dancing like it was her last day on Earth. At least it looked that way to some.

Livia was enjoying the vibes, it felt like it could be her last chance to relax for a while. The singing was not her jam, but it was still hilarious. Music was a different thing here, a community thing. They all had songs they shared but they carved away on new verses to add over the slow winter months and then pulled out the showstoppers at opportunities like these.

All the usual suspects from Salcret were there, even a group of young bucks from the lumber mill had caught up on the road at the last minute just to come along for the party. One of them kept trying to catch Livia’s eye for some reason, but she just had too much to do. Although I have to admit, lumberjacks do cut a fine figure.

Getting intimate was just about the last thing on her mind though, but she had to admit it had been on her mind. It had been more than half a year after all. I miss the internet. So much.

It was just that the first two months were spent in full on recovery mode, then she had been worrying about contraception and magic diseases and been too embarrassed to bring it up, but luckily that did not seem to be a thing. And then there was the risk of possible emotional complications, it had just not seemed worth it. At all.

Then Mr Beard arrived. Yeah, that kind of thing killed the mood even when her body insisted that the mood was perfectly adequate. She was getting used to it now, but she needed to stay focused on the conversation before Oscar was convinced into making a mistake.

“I’m telling you, unless you get an Aspirant Skill you’re sure indicates a high magic affinity then [Squire] is perfect for you Oscar, it’s perfect for you!” The drinks had made her zone out a bit but she came back into the conversation with a vengeance.

Oscar threw his hands up. “Yes, so you have said Livia, I hear you, now let me know when you actually figure out even a first clue on how to actually get the Class, alright?” Livia could only harrumph at that.

Brunner looked intrigued though. “[Squire] you said?”

“Yes, Livia says it’s a precursor to the [Knight] Class, but all she has to go on are old legends,” Livia broke off muttering under her breath at that. Brunner was almost sure he caught the words correctly. All of this crap is an old legend damn it!

Billie was the fourth one at their table and she was not looking impressed. “What, so it’s like an apprentice Class? Booh, that just sounds lame. Knights are just a sort of rider, right?”

Brunner was stroking his bearded chin. “Actually I started out with an apprentice Class, it can come with all sorts of potential advantages, for instance you are all but guaranteed a Class evolution by your very first capstone rather than having to wait until level 20 or even level 30. It provides you with an early chance to steer your Class in the direction you want, it might be useful if you lacked access to a particular area of expertise at your initial blessing.”

That reasoning earned him a round of nods.

“Huh, but Brunner you’re an [Arborist] like me right, why would you have needed a Class like that?” Billie had been hanging on Brunner's every word all night.

“Well, there was a war on. I was an [Ax pupil], so I had the choice of either leaning into the military, martial arts side of the Class or the tool and cultivation part of the Class. I do not regret my choice one bit, and I doubt I could have gotten such good Skills to support my dual-wielding if not for the technique based Class my path originated from.”

That visibly disappointed Billie, which Livia thought was rather missing the point. Don’t act like it’s too late for you to steer yours too.

Oscar threw up his hands again, he was doing that a lot lately. “Bah, I can’t figure it out. I was leaning towards a strictly civic Class for a while after seeing how Livia’s performed, but she’s right, I do want at least a partial magic or combat leaning Class too,”

That reminded Livia. “Oh, Brunner by the way I have a gift for you before we go tomorrow, to thank you for all the help you have given us all,” The kauri seed still needed to remain secret, they had it under wraps in their personal packs.

The mention of a gift had them all intrigued, nobody was immune to speculating over what the train of riches rolling in to the usually empty yard might contain. They all got up to head over to the carts for a look at what she had brought him, but the thing was already sitting right on top of the two Cloven Honeybee Mead barrels.

The third smaller barrel.

Livia brought it over to the main table with the help of Oscar and let the moment build a little. Brunner followed the wafting aroma like he was under a Spell.

When she poured up half a mug and let the full scent unleash it was enough to quiet the whole garden as they all collectively inhaled deeply.

Brunner received the mug like he was lifting the holy graal.

“Now, be careful and don’t have too much until you know how it hits you, it had old Bunke all kinds of messed up,” That message actually made him look up in surprise at Livia again. “Yeah, it’s enough to surprise a veteran.”

He eyed the stuff appreciatively and then spoke up. “I have never been one to hold on to things like these, it is a beautiful gift and the giver deserves both to have a share and to see the appreciation of it first hand,” The proclamation was met with a cheer.

“However, I do of course fully understand how these are special circumstances, you all have a long road tomorrow, so I will be sure to only share with those who can afford to stay home and sleep it off if the drink hits harder than you anticipate.”

That reminder put a bit of a damper on the party spirit that had been building. Roldy was not having it.

“To the roots with that, I have a surprise for tomorrow, so have no worries friends. We will get where we aim to go, even if we have to be dragged there half-dead, you have my word so unleash your inner satyr and let’s go!”

That revelation was met by a second cheer twice as loud and even Livia decided that it should be alright to take him at his word. He was a bit of a dolt at times, but he would not risk the expedition getting delayed any more than she would, of that much she felt sure.

That night Livia partied like it was 1969. She kept telling everybody, but it was obviously just met with confused and amused perplexity.

Salcret had seen some legendary parties over its time, that night was one for the ages.