"I said get down here!" SJ sighed. His behaviour was terrible. At every opportunity, he would steal food. Nowhere in Killic was safe. He was currently sitting on the beam in Earleqios's butcher's shop, ripping chunks from a piece of meat he had just stolen from the counter.
"I'm so sorry. Please let me know how much I owe you?"
Earleqios laughed, "I don't mind. He wouldn't take it if he wasn't hungry."
"Oh. He would. If you left him in here unattended, he would eat everything in the shop until he explodes. I said get down here," she said, wagging her finger at him. SJ could have sworn that he stuck his tongue out at her.
"Right, that's it. Unless you get down here now, I am taking you back to the cottage, and you will stay there."
SJ stood with her hands on her hips, feeling as though she were speaking to a naughty child. The pose reminded her of how her mother used to speak to her when she had caused problems with her sister, usually threatening her with the line 'Wait until your father gets home'. Emotions resurfaced with the memory.
"Kibbles, I mean it. I am giving you to the count of three. 1, 2..."
As SJ reached two, the little monster jumped from the beam and glided down to her shoulder, still with the chunk of meat in its jaws. The townsfolk had become used to seeing SJ walking through town with the miniature wyvern perched on her shoulder. He was about 10 inches and was growing at a much faster rate than SJ had expected. It had been over two months since her return to Killic from Asterfal, and Kibbles was now just over eight weeks old.
The tiny little grey beastie that had hatched from the egg initially had changed its colour. His tiny scales had taken on an almost pearlescent sheen, and Isavil had told SJ his colouring would keep changing until he was fully grown. From what Isavil could remember, the miniature crystal wyvern she had known as a child at the elf capital had grown to about 18 inches.
"How much?" SJ asked Earleqios.
"No, really, it's fine. Don't worry about it. It was only a scrap."
SJ believed Earleqios was merely being polite, not considering it as a scrap. "I am so sorry, and thank you for being so understanding," SJ said as she left the shop. Kibbles flipped the last piece of meat into the air and swallowed it whole, letting out a burp in SJ's ear.
"That's not very attractive," she said as she headed to see Zej.
Kibbles let out a low growl in her ear and wrapped his tail around her neck. She couldn't stay angry at him for long. He was just too cute and loving as he nuzzled into her neck.
"Hi Zej," SJ said as she arrived at the smithy.
"Hey SJ," Zej said, looking up from his workbench.
"Did you manage to craft what I asked for," SJ said, indicating towards Kibbles with her eyes.
Zej grinned. "I have, yes." Bending down underneath the workbench, he removed a small wooden box and placed it on the surface. Opening the box and looking inside was a tiny yet perfectly crafted mithril collar.
SJ picked it up and turned it in her fingers. It was beautiful. The design allowed it to expand as he continued to grow, and SJ could easily flex it in her fingers.
"This is amazing," SJ said.
"The bonus of mithril. I wouldn't have been able to craft anything like that with normal ores."
"Do you still have enough for the gift?"
"Aye. This was just a small bit."
"How's the gift coming along?"
"Amazing."
"How long do you think it will take to finish?"
Zej scratched his chin and then stroked his beard. "I think maybe another week. The mould is coming on well. It's the fine detail that's tricky. Once the moulds are finished being carved and the figurine is created, it will still need to go to Miss Oputi at the jeweller's to have the stones added."
"It will be worth the wait. I am sure," SJ said.
"It will be one beautiful gift when it's finished."
It wasn't until SJ returned to Killic that she realised she had never bought Zigferd or Isavil a wedding gift. Dave, to SJ's surprise, had conceived the idea of creating a figurine of Isavil and Zigferd. The figurine would be mithril and then have several small gems fixed to it. SJ had spoken to Alice, and she had siphoned one of the mithril bars from the mine to make it, and they were planning to present it to them at the harvest festival. The harvest festival would happen in two weeks, and it would be SJ's first festival since arriving in Amathera.
There were two annual harvests. The seasons in Killic, with their constant warm weather and rare downpours, were ideal for crop growing, and the town produced enough to support its current size. There had been discussions in the council about expanding the fields to accommodate future growth expectations. It would mean cutting back part of the forest leading towards the crag pass. Every day brought new discussions and plans.
The idea that SJ had discussed with Asterfal's chancellor was being progressed, and with work on the wall underway in the valley, they would increase the area it covered to accommodate more structures at the base of the slope. SJ visited the mine, and the dwarven miners' engineering was impressive. They had created a fresh path leading from the edge of the plateau where Killic sat all the way to the valley floor. This meant that carts and wagons could traverse it in the future. It had been needed to support the stone shipment from the mine to the east of town, which was being used to provide the construction blocks.
The details of exactly what Asterfal would want still had to be confirmed, but initial discussions involved barracks and stables. The town had committed to building a hunter lodge and gatehouse, and more requests for buildings were anticipated.
"Come on, Kibbles," SJ said, lifting him from her shoulder. He sat on the workbench surface and splayed his wings. "Let's try this on you, then." SJ unclipped the small mithril band and placed it around his neck. Zej had engraved it with Kibble's name, and as she clipped it closed, Kibbles let out a pleased growl. He thrust his head in the air, showing off his new collar.
"It's perfect, thanks, Zej. I had better go. I have to sort things out at the cottage. Cristy is due back from Asterfal today," SJ said as she lifted Kibbles back up and placed him back on her shoulder.
"I had forgotten. I am glad you reminded me. I will see you later then."
"Yes. I can't wait to see her. It will have been over two months that she has been away."
"You never did explain what she was doing," Zej said.
"Training," SJ called over her shoulder as she walked away. She had told no one the exact details behind what Cristy was doing. Zigferd asked her to stay quiet, relying on Cristy for guidance on what to disclose when she returned. The clan wasn't secret; it was just unknown to people in Killic or non-lycan individuals. Cristy had earned the unique opportunity of training in the beast warden class because of her relationship with Patch and her successful completion of the trial.
She couldn't wait to see Cristy and find out how everything had gone. They had spoken on a couple of occasions via the stones, but Cristy had been very vague about details. SJ didn't know if this was because of the oath she had taken. Cristy had said that she would need to go back and visit them at times, especially as she progressed to be able to train further. Cryptically, she had mentioned that some of her skills would require 'refinement', whatever she had meant by that.
The one story she told SJ about that amazed her was the battle with the giants. Apparently, the hill giants had attacked the clan on three separate occasions while she was there. Each time, the clan had won, but there had been losses in the clan. Several beasts and two lycans had been killed. Cristy cried when she spoke to SJ after the losses.
SJ walked into the Hogling Arms. Kerys was busy ordering Bert around as he moved tables, shuffling patrons from their seats. SJ had asked for a table to celebrate Cristy's return, and all their friends would be attending.
"Hi, Kerys," SJ called.
Kerys looked over and waved. "Bert, you great ogre's club I said in front of the stage."
Bert rolled his eyes, turned his back to Kerys, and lifted the enormous table, easily spinning it around and placing it down again.
"That's better. Now we need to decorate the table, and we will be ready."
Phyliss appeared from the cellar carrying a large wooden box, moving to the table and unpacking various ornaments to decorate with.
SJ had walked to the bar and poured herself a coffee while watching. It was pointless to ask Kerys if she needed help. She knew she was in her element at the moment. Kerys walked back over to the bar.
"All set," she said, happy with the layout, while Phyliss finished decorating the table with ornate candlesticks and laurel wreaths.
"Kerys, did Nexis drop off the banner?" SJ asked.
"Oh. I nearly forgot," Kerys said, ducking behind the bar and lifting out a parcel. She handed it to SJ, who unwrapped the parcel, unrolling the banner. Sewn into the banner in the amazingly beautiful text was 'Congratulations!'.
SJ grinned. "This is beautiful."
"He's done a good job," Kerys said, nodding appraisingly.
"Where shall we hang it?"
"Umm. Above the fireplace, I think, would be best."
It took them several minutes, with Kerys giving directions to Bert and SJ as they lined up the banner, which was then secured in place. The banner celebrated Cristy's coming of age and her new class.
"Perfect," SJ said, standing back and looking at the setup. Right. I need to go and make sure everyone is here in time. I think she is expected back at 1800 hrs. How has Floretta been getting on?"
"All set. Food's prepped, and she needs to cook it as needed."
"Amazing. I can't wait to see Cristy's face."
"I can't remember the last time we had a good party in the inn."
"I am going to remind those invited and finish sorting the cottage out. I will be back later after I have collected her from the stables."
"See you then," Kerys said.
SJ called thanks to Phyliss and Bert as she left, heading to speak to all those attending.
"Right, Dave. I think we are sorted," SJ said. She had been at the cottage for a while, sorting everything out. Fresh flowers sat on the table in a vase, and all of Cristy's possessions had been moved from the orphanage. Since Cristy would by now have finished her age of development, she would be returning to Killic as an adult. A five-year-old adult, but in gnoll terms, still an adult. The variance in the ageing of races still confused SJ.
"It looks perfect," Dave said. While SJ had been moving and rearranging items at the cottage, Dave had been offering advice and guidance. It still amazed SJ that he had such a soft spot for her. Because of her soul stone, SJ would still have the larger bedroom at the front to use when in Killic. The smaller room at the back would be Cristy's, with a view of the rear garden.
"You've missed her, haven't you?" SJ asked.
"No. Don't be stupid. Why would I miss an annoying little gnoll?" Dave said.
There was a loud crash from the kitchen.
"Kibbles?" she called.
The small head appeared around the edge of the doorway to the kitchen, and as it did, Kibble sneezed, blowing a white cloud out of his nostrils.
"What are you doing in there?" SJ said as she walked over.
Kibbles ducked out of sight as soon as she moved towards the kitchen. On the floor in pieces was what had been a large jar of flour. It had now not only decorated the floor but also Kibbles was coated in a layer of flour dust.
SJ sighed. "I can't trust you to be left alone for a minute."
Kibbles let out a squeak. SJ was still getting used to his different sounds. He spoke or, in wyvern terms, responded in various ways. Squeaking, growling, purring or, if you stood on his tail by mistake, he even snarled. The first time that happened to him, Gary hadn't seen him under a table at the Hogling Arms, but he had placed his foot on his tail while Kibble was eating a morsel of food he had found on the floor. Gary had then got the shock of his life as the miniature wyvern had, for no better of a word, snarled, zapping him.
SJ still wasn't sure what his abilities were but had seen little sparks occasionally when he growled. Gary had discovered, to his suffering, that Kibbles could shoot a small bolt of electricity when he was angry or hurt. Gary had cursed so loudly from the sudden shock and jumped, falling from his chair to the raucous laughs of those at the inn. Kibbles hadn't really done him any harm; it was more the shock of being hit in his ankle by a sharp miniature bolt of lightning.
Unfortunately, SJ also suffered the same fate when she made him jump when she awoke him. His immediate response was to release a small bolt of electricity, which reminded SJ of the shock she had occasionally got back on Earth from a dodgy light switch or plug socket.
"I had just finished cleaning up and look at the state of the place now?" SJ said. Kibbles shook himself off, adding to the mess further as he flapped his wings and scattered the flour into the air. Dave was laughing away as SJ got more annoyed. "Dave, please!"
"You wanted a pet," Dave chuckled.
"Grr. Kibbles outside now," SJ said, pointing to the back door leading out into the garden from the kitchen. Kibble, looking dejected and drooping his head, walked to the door, letting out a squeak in response.
A while later, SJ had once again finished re-cleaning the kitchen. Once more, standing and looking around the cottage, she was happy with how everything was.
"Perfect," she said.
The lead chorister from the church had maintained the rear garden. SJ had not been the best at gardening, although she had tried, but after she had spoken to Lythonian. He had suggested speaking to Mrs Farthing. She was an elderly gnome. Even older than Petunia and had jumped at the chance to help. SJ had offered to pay her, but she had declined, saying that she just donated to the church coffers. So SJ gave Lythonian gold to cover her time. Lythonian had been amazed at the offering, praising her graciously for her donation.
"Kibbles. Come on, it's time to go," she said, standing in the doorway. He was busy chasing some type of insect around the garden that kept dodging his diving attacks. He always seemed to hunt on the ground rather than attack anything from the air. She believed he would do it in time, as his larger cousin, who still lived in the mountains surrounding Killic, had done. He jumped and flew to her shoulder with his soil-covered little feet landing. She was so grateful that her dress self-cleaned. At least he was no longer covered in flour.
Her display now said it was 1730 hrs. By the time she walked over to the stables on the other side of town, it would be nearly time for the coach to arrive from Cuopi, the last stop before Killic. After leaving the cottage, she took a leisurely stroll through the town. The streets, even at this time of day, were busy; due to the weather in Killic, the traders stayed open until all hours. She passed pleasantries with those she passed, arriving at the stables in ample time.
Just before 1800 hrs, she heard the clatter of hooves on the street leading to the stables and the grinning smile of Jay, who was driving the Asterfal coach. SJ waited excitedly as Jay pulled the coach to a stop, and the doors opened. The coach hadn't just been bringing Cristy back, having also brought other visitors from Asterfal. SJ didn't recognise the first couple that climbed down from the coach. Then a gnoll she didn't recognise climbed from the coach. She stood much taller and broader than SJ could remember. Dressed in beautifully crafted leather armour with a mottled green colouring, it took her a moment to realise that this now fully grown gnoll was indeed Cristy.
"SJ," Cristy said as she saw her, dropping her bag and running over to her, picking her up in her arms and swinging her around.
"Cristy," SJ said, amazed at this now very athletic-looking adult gnoll.
"I missed you."
"I missed you too," SJ said, flabbergasted. Despite the short time, Cristy had undergone a massive transformation.
After placing SJ back down, Cristy stepped back and stared in amazement at the little beastie on SJ's shoulder. "And who are you?"
