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"Welcome," I say, standing up. Tulip tried to convince me to dress more 'Godly' today, whatever that means. I let her dress me in a black jumpsuit that has shimmering lines of Colris steel in it, courtesy of Mace. The man has a knack for clothing design. I did, however, turn down the thin robe that had depictions of all of the magic. "Come have a seat. We have a lot to discuss."
Chapter 52
Mace - 6 Months Later
"Ipromise, it's a good surprise," I say, my hands over Viola's eyes.
She squirms uncomfortably under my hands as I march her across the courtyard and past the Equinox tree. The tree has become the symbol of Rainworth, of it's joining of magic and culture. Children gather under it for city-wide story time, couples get married under it, and if the weather is good, our town halls are held beneath it.
Most of the time, we forget that there is a former God entombed it.
"I'm tempted to say boots," she grumbles as I push her along.
"This is not that kind of blindfold, so your safeword does not apply." I lean down and bite the end of her pointed ear. She groans, cursing me under her breath for teasing her.
I pull to a stop once we exit the keep, standing in the wide training field right outside the city. Viola shuffles back and forth on each foot, anxiously tapping on her thighs. "How much longer?"
Dropping my hands from her eyes, I watch as she blinks to adjust to the sunlight. Her vision comes into focus. "Plume!"she says, reaching out for our friend and pulling her into a hug. "You're back?"
"We're back!"
Plume looks like a different person, her hair braided on one side, the other flowing loosely. Her skin has gained color from the sun, a smattering of freckles across her upturned nose. Her clothing is more form-fitting than I've ever seen her wear, and there is muscle definition on her arms that wasn't there before, clearly from helping out around the ship.
Sea life really suits her.
Jaz steps out from behind one of the many trees we've grown around Rainworth, a large box in their hands. "We're not the surprise, though," they say with a rakish grin.
Viola looks at me, confused, and then back at our friends. "What do you mean?"
"Look in the box," Jaz says, stepping back a few steps.
Kneeling, Viola slowly removes the lid of the box, and then gasps so loudly I stumble. She reaches into the box and pulls out a struggling, squawking chicken. "Hilda!"
"We found her poking around your old place, thought she'd prefer it here," Jaz says with a shrug. Viola hugs the very uncomfortable chicken to her chest and turns away from us, walking around the walls of the city. "Where are you going?" Jaz shouts after her.
"Since you left, we've added a paddock for livestock. I'm going to get her settled into her new home," Viola calls without looking back.
"Why does it feel like she cares more about that chicken than anyone else?" Jaz mumbles under their breath.
I can't help the laugh that slips out. "Because it's probably true, knowing her." I clap Jaz on the shoulder, pull Plume in for a hug, and then jog to catch up to my partner.
Viola and I head into the dining hall ahead of the community dinner to see what kind of help we can provide. She insists on doing this at least once a week.
No one likes it when she does.
It came as no surprise to any of us that Viola Mistflow is a terrible cook.
She has mostly been relegated to only chopping things. She is quite good with a knife, after all.
This time, though, a familiar face shocks us.
"Lady God!" Huck says, dropping the potato he was peeling. "Whatchoo doing in here?"
"Me? Huck, what are you doing here?" she says, gaping at Huck. "When did you leave Feria?"
The door to the kitchen swings open and Quade, the proprietor of the tavern and inn we stayed at in Feria, comes lumbering through. He's just as tall as I remember, his large arms and stomach taking up a ton of space in the cramped area. He smiles widely beneath his beard, rubbing the top of his bald head. "We just got in today with Jaz's ship."
"I didn't even consider you twowould want to come," I say, grasping forearms with Quade. "What about your tavern?"
