The Way Ahead

Chapter 99a: Looking Up

The interior of the tower was every bit as impressive as the exterior. That it was bigger on the inside may not have been a surprise at this point, but the sheer scale of the expansion still awed Edwin. The entry hall alone looked like it was larger than the massive stone was in its entirety, the ceiling stretching beyond his Identify range, and there were very clearly some wings off to the side, circular doors shut tight. Across the arched roof and walls, a colorful mural of some kind depicted some massive scene that heavily incorporated weather alongside a host of individuals, avior and human alike.

It was also oddly silent despite a lack of architectural features to dampen the sounds of walking. In fact, the only noise he could hear was the flute melody floating from seemingly all around them.

At the far end of the hall a massive spiral staircase rose to the ceiling, supported by nothing and distinctly lacking handrails. It was simply a set of wooden slats floating in midair. That they bobbed up and down when pressed upon didnt do too much to help Edwin feel reassured about their stability, but Yathal had no such restraint and thought they were the coolest thing ever.

Will the dog be accompanying you upstairs to meet the Lady? the halfling Assistant asked, voice neutral.

Lefi glanced over at Kyni, circling anxiously around Yathal as he climbed over the stairs, He will.

Of course. The Lady is at the top. Go at your leisure.

The stairs stretched on forever, or so it felt. After they climbed past the entry hall, the steps were magically fastened to the walls and so no longer bobbed up and down, but there was still a sizable gap in the middle of the spiral staircase and gave Edwin a sense of vertigo every time he looked down. While it didnt seem to bother his companions, Edwin had to fight off the knee-jerk reaction he had to potentially falling all the way to the ground. To try and help, Edwin didnt actually put any weight on the steps. Instead, he tethered Flight to the stone wall- covered with paintings and stone reliefs reminiscent of the main room below, but with a slightly different style to them.

Every so often, the style would suddenly shift, but there seemed to be a consistent story being told. That said, for the life of him he couldnt figure out what that story was. There were avior and humans and even a couple of gnomes that showed up, but also lots of weather motifs and it was a lot. Maybe it was the story of the tower? That seemed quite plausible.

Honestly, these stairs must have been artificially lengthened. Why would you do that? The outside was legitimately shorter, why couldnt they have put the stairs out there?

Cmon, Kyni. Pleaseeee? Yathal asked his dog suddenly, panting between each word.

Edwin didnt catch what or how Kynigos replied, but Yathal took on a pleading expression, Awww. But whyyyy. This is so much and mister Lefi says any Skill can be good!

Kyni gave a short bark in response, making Yathal redouble his puppy-dog look and made Lefi cut off a chuckle. One more quick bark and Yathal hung his head and despondently continued to climb the stairs, breathing hard the entire way.

What was that about? Edwin asked Lefi, I dont speak dog- but you apparently do?

Polyglot helps, he gave as a bit of unhelpful clarification, But Yathal got a Stair-Climbing skill and wanted Kyni to let him take it.

Edwin chuckled a bit at that as he continued to secretly float up behind the golden-haired adventurer. Looking up wasnt informative as to how much longer it would take unless they were genuinely only just barely starting to climb the tower and that wasnt just an optical illusion, but he really, really hoped it was the latter. It wasnt hard for him thanks to Flight, but it was tedious.

The faint music grew louder and clearer as they continued to climb, until they eventually reached the top. The stairway just stopped suddenly, letting out into a too-large room at the top of the tower. There were, of course, no handrails around the massive hole in the floor, and Edwin very carefully stepped away from the biggest safety hazard hed ever seen in a building before looking around.

Wind blew through the room at a steady rate, coming in through massive windows in every direction that definitely werent visible from the outside. The floor consisted of massive stone blocks inset with blue sigils and circles faintly glowing and absolutely brilliant to his mana sense. It felt like swirling winds and brewing storms, but in reverse? Whatever, he could examine it more later on.

There wasnt a whole lot of traditional furniture in the room save for at one end of the chamber, where a few chairs and a couch rested upon a thick rug next to one of the windows. Given the sole occupant of the room was sitting in that window playing the flute, it wasnt hard for Edwin to pick out who Rillah was, though she was sitting with her back to them.

Oh huh, I know her. Edwin realized as they approached the adventurer, one eye on her Identify result, Well, kind of.

Seasonal Dancer of Whimsy

I passed her on the road. Really good flute player.

While most of her clothing seemed sensible for an adventurer and the slightly chilly fall breeze passing through the room, her mostly-bare back was the primary thing that Edwin could see from his angle, though the top half of it was covered by brown hair. Was she not wearing a shirt? How the heck was she not freezing? There must have been some kind of Skill at play.

If it isnt the snowbird! I would have thought you might have melted away staying here all this time. Lefi called out with a hint of a smile Edwin wasnt familiar with. Rillah immediately straightened and spun, showing she was in fact wearing a turquoise and gold not exactly a shirt, considering it only covered from her collarbones to her midriff, but garment.

Her face brightened, and Edwin caught a glimpse of two different eye colors- one a deep brown and the other a brilliant green while she jumped up from her seat.

Lefi! her voice was melodic and soothing- Edwin clamped down on his mental state- and she brushed a lock of hair away from her eye as she bounded over to them. She wrapped the adventurer in a hug, and Edwin had to quash an irrational pang of jealousy.

After a moment, they separated, Its so good to see you, Ive been cooped up in this little city for months, can you believe it?

I know, little snowbird. Thats why Im here.

Have you come to sweep me away to the far corners of the wind? her face was one of picture-perfect innocence and curiosity, then broke into a grin, Im glad youre here.

She finally turned to the others in their little group, and she bent over to greet Yathal. The boy was doing his customary hide-in-Kynis-fur routine, but hesitantly looked up to greet the womans gentle smile, And you must be Yathal. Ive heard so much about you! Im sure well be great friends.

Really? Yathal said, barely above a whisper.

Of course! Unless you dont want to be my friend? she asked with an exaggerated pout, Then Id be sad.

Yathal whispered something into Kynis ear, who nudged the boy. Seemingly remembering something, the little kid clasped his hands together and bowed deeply, I would be quite honored if you would accept me in your presence.

Oh theres no need for that, little buddy! Were Adventurers! Do you know what that means?

Yathal shook his head, so she leaned in conspiratorially and faked a whisper to the boy, It means we dont have to be proper all the time.

How? Dont you get in trouble? there was a note of hope or awe in his voice.

Nope! What are they going to do? Send us to our room? Nuh-uh! We can go wherever and do whatever we want!

But ma always said that being rude to people would mean they wouldnt wanna be your friend.

Pshhh. Look at me! Theyve been keeping me here for months because I have something none of them have. When youre an adventurer and someone needs you for something, they really need you, she said with a twinkle in her eye. Look at me! Theyve needed me so much these past months that they gave me this whole huge tower all to myself! Some of them cant even stand to look me in the eye and they still need to put up with me.

Woahhh Yathal turned star-struck as he looked around the building they were in, They kicked out the governor for you?

Rillah bit back a laugh, No, not quite. The governors place is really nice. Its super magical, and you know what? Hes got a bunch of adventurers working for him himself.

Yathals wide-eyed gaze returned to the woman, Really? I thought nobody wanted adventurers around.

Thats just what governors like to say so they can get them all to themselves, she said with a wink.

What do they want them for?

Oh all sorts of things. Governor Kosvilista has a couple of mages working for him, as well as some for other stuff.

What kind of other stuff? Im not a mage, he pouted a bit, but even Edwin could tell his heart wasnt in it.

Hmmm Ill tell you, she bopped his nose in emphasis, when youre older. But some of his guards are adventurers, you know?

Really? But

Edwin wilted a bit as the two of them carried on for quite a while. He could see what Lefi meant- Rillah had a way with words that put the normally shy boy at ease instantly, bringing him to say more over the course of an hour than Edwin had heard over the entire month and a half trip.

At some point, Edwin and Lefi seated themselves on some of the available chairs. Rillah, for her part, eventually sat crossed-legged in front of the entranced boy. Eventually, though, Lefi stood up and gave a good stretch, Its been wonderful seeing you, snowbird, but I think we need to get going. Come on, Yathal. We need to find a good inn nearby.

Oh! Theres no need for that, you guys can stay here. Theres at least three more bedrooms, and Id love to get the chance to talk to the man of the hour again, she grinned at Yathal.

Lefi didnt argue- he wouldnt, considering he had been expecting it from what Edwin recalled- and agreed with a quick nod, Where do we go?

Stairs, she lazily indicated, but a grin crossed her face and revealed she knew exactly what it meant, Talk to Pierash, tell her youll be here for a while. Shell love that.

Lefi chuckled, Pierash being the Mundanity Assistant? Seems shed be thrilled to hear that. I could practically feel the dismay radiating from her that Kyni might get dog hair on the floor.

A wry grin crossed Rillahs face, Shes the one, yeah.

Well, excellent. I shall see you in the morning, then? Lefi waved to Rillah as he started to descend, Kyni gently pulling Yathal along. The kid was the classic combination of 'adamant that he was totally fine' and also 'nearly falling asleep on Kynis back'. Edwin hoped he wouldnt fall off his ride on the very long climb down.

Edwin, for his part, was glad to escape the social situation that was sitting awkwardly off to the side for several hours, and tried to slink off following his companions, only to be cut off by Rillahs voice.

I dont think weve been properly acquainted, she spoke up. Youre Edwin, right? Ive heard about you. Let's chat, shall we?