Owlnother World

Nymph decided to tag along on the city tour and called Banélin to join in as well. They were planning to meet the human delegation in one of the parks near the outer wall. Catori was a little confused that they wouldn't receive them in their main seat of power.

"It is an unnecessary risk", Nymph explained, "The Inner Sanctum is at once sacred and the most important part of the city. Bringing them there would require trust we do not yet share. Humans are… well, you would know better."

"I do…", Catori sighed.

They took a relaxed route through the inner city, showing Circe some of the sights like the library and the brewers' district. The Kark Clan's main seat was our first major stop. It was a slightly more opulent building than the rest of Serrington with wide windows and fresh greenery growing in fancy patterns along the walls. A large staircase led into the Clan House from the plaza it was built on. Banélin gave a nod to the guards and the group was let inside without a fuzz. Catori was sure no dwarf would be stopped here unless some important meeting was happening.

The inside was warmly decorated with plushy seating areas spread haphazardly across a wide entrance hall. A few dwarves in what appeared to be some kind of servant's uniform were walking around with tablets, bringing drinks and snacks to the people sitting everywhere. There was a buzzing noise not unlike a tavern, though it somehow dissipated in the ceiling. Catori didn't see any vis moving so it might just have been architectural prowess creating pleasant acoustics.

One of the servants received the group a few steps from the door.

"Welcome, Protector Banélin and friends. How may I help you today?"

Nymph chuckled into our minds. She was hidden in the folds of Alex's cloak.

"I was hoping to meet the Patriarch", Banélin said, "We will be meeting the humans in a bit and wanted to ask him to join."

"Ah, certainly. I shall see if he can make the time. Be right back."

The clerk disappeared into the depths of the building and Banélin turned to us.

"Patriarch Kark is a bit of a loud man, don't be too surprised", he said.

Catori nodded and looked around again.

"Is this place doubling as a tavern?" she asked.

"In a way", Banélin laughed, "Sharing your worries, your successes, and your ideas goes better with some alcohol in your blood."

"Hear!" a stocky woman from a nearby table called, a good part of the room joining in.

"The Karks are brewers, and so they shall drink", Banélin nodded wisely, "Was I not the Guardian's Protector, I'd be one of them."

"Pah! You're one of us, no matter the title, Banélin!" a very loud voice called out.

Catori turned to see a dwarf that was as wide as he was tall laughing boisterously. He had a tankard in one hand and a piece of dried meat in the other, quickly taking a sip before closing in.

"Old friend, it's good to see you again. You should leave that guardhouse more often!"

Circe giggled at Banélin's conflicted expression.

"You know, Patriarch, I have work to do. Our Guardian does enjoy her quiet and to keep that in this city is a lot of effort."

"Hah! You can take a break for a drink whenever you want! Now, introduce me to your friends."

He nodded and went through the round. The Patriarch raised an eyebrow at the mention of Catori's species.

"Then you're the one living with our Guardian, are you? I've heard lots about you, Catori. Pleased to finally meet you!"

She smiled and shook his hand.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"Um, likewise. People are talking about me?"

"Of course! Our Guardian's partner is gonna be the talk of town, what'd you expect?"

Catori blinked as the Patriarch turned back to Banélin.

"Let's be on our way, then."

As they stepped back onto the street, a quiet giggle came through the telepathic link.

"Partner?" Catori sent through it.

"We have spent a lot of time with each other", Nymph mused, "While there is obviously no lust involved I do quite enjoy your presence."

"B… but!"

"Other than Fio and you, I have never let anyone come close to my node. I understand why the dwarves would think like they do."

"Nymph!"

Catori looked up at a suppressed giggle from Circe.

"I am just messing with you, Catori. We are friends. Very close friends, but nothing romantic."

Her wings sagged a little and she wanted to hide her heating face in her hands but managed to restrain herself. It would only draw more attention.

"Thanks, Nymph", she sent.

The mantis waved from the folds of Alex's coat.

The group ended up using one of the vis-powered cars to make their way to the city. It looked like an early model on Earth to Catori. Large wheels carrying a box-shaped body with a steering wheel in a separate compartment at the front. This particular model had a very large cabin that could hold all of them comfortably while sitting around a wooden table. The humans had just enough space while the dwarves sat on thick cushions.

"We built this one specially for the coming days", the Patriarch explained proudly, "It'll let us carry the larger of our guests through the city comfortably. We've got a second one in the workshop that'll be finished tomorrow. Our craftsmen have been pushing incredibly hard."

"That's very thoughtful of you", Alex said, "Thank you."

"A woman of your size and make deserves a little more than the average", he laughed.

"Let's just hope it can hold my weight", Alex joined in.

The ride was a little rough but Circe's excitement brought a grin to everybody's faces. When they entered the outer city, the Patriarch looked questioningly at Banélin.

"I thought the Guardian is gonna be there as well. Did she already make the trip, or…?"

"Oh, not at all", Banélin said, "She's right here with us."

The stocky dwarf narrowed his eyes at him. After a moment, he started to look around the cabin.

"I apologize, Guardian", he said, suddenly serious, "I did not mean to offend you."

There was a moment of silence before Circe started giggling. Soon, everyone joined in with their own laughs, only the Patriarch looking a little put-off.

"Are you playing me for a fool, Banélin?" he almost growled.

Catori noticed Nymph reaching out with her telepathy, which quickly quieted the rotund dwarf.

"He is not, dear Stout. Apologies for deceiving you."

She climbed out of Alex's cloak to sit on the living fortress's shoulder.

"I wished to see what you were like naturally. Banélin has told me a few interesting stories and it was quite difficult to put them to the dutiful man I know. Now, I understand. Please be more open around me in the future."

The Patriarch, Stout Kark, lowered his head.

"Of course, Guardian. I apologize. Em, I mean, I'm sorry."

"You are forgiven."

"Stout?" Alex asked, "That's your name?"

"That it is. Something funny about it?"

"No, just thinking it fits. The head of the brewer Clan with such a name."

"Is it?" Banélin asked. The Patriarch also looked slightly confused.

"Where I'm from, stout is a word for dark beer."

"I see. That fits even better than I thought, then. Madam Alex."

Patriarch Stout laughed heartily.

"That it does. Well then, let's get to business. What should we expect from these humans you brought to my fair city?"

"They're a small group sent to prepare a few things before the main clergy arrive. A delegation from the Crimson Church with two Paladins and a Priest along with some servants. And the kingdom of Eterios sent Lord Ekos to assist them. He also brought a mercenary team, the Plains Brigade."

"Oh, them?" Catori smiled, "It'll be nice to meet them again."

"Mercenaries?" the Patriarch's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Yes. They travel through the human plains to hunt down threats to their people. Monsters, mostly, but you know. Humans. They've got the occasional bandit problem."

Alex snorted.

"That they do."

"I see. What's this Lord like?"

"A decent man", Catori said, "I've met him once with Circe and he welcomed us warmly. He understands how to run his land and isn't blinded by greed."

"He was pretty cool", Circe added, "I liked his mansion."

"Thank you. What about the Church's delegation?"

Alex shrugged.

"They don't matter that much. They're mostly making sure when the main group of Clerics and Knights comes, they won't have any problems. Some of them are a little older."

"Good. That's good to know. We should be there soon, so enjoy the rest of the ride. Anyone want a beer?"

Banélin laughed as Patriarch Stout poured himself a tankard from a barrel set into the back of the car. With the vis motor being so small there really was a lot of space, Catori thought. Just adding some proper suspension would let them easily travel across the Dwarven Hills. As long as someone could provide enough vis for a journey like that, at least… It was definitely worth a thought.