Year 83

  *After dropping off Arthur for the day, Emma heads down and begins her inspection. When Flint first arrives, he calls out to Emma, and she quickly returns.*

  Flint: Mornin', Emma.

  Emma: *Smiles* Morning, Flint.

  Flint: So is it true?

  Emma: *Confused* Is what true?

  Flint: Haythum said Griffin told him about a threat from Valoria, sending threats, and Inferna is offering Aid.

  Emma: *Confused* No.

  Flint: Huh, well, I’m going to start my route if you'd like to go ask him.

  Emma: Thank you, Flint.

  *Emma calls out as she heads off..*

  Emma: You’re amazing!

  *Reaching the Wardens' Den, Emma notices a crowd forming near the main entrance. She applies stealth and sneaks inside. As she passes the crowd, she notices the guards blocking the gate are Human. She reaches the top floor, and just as she reaches Griffin's office, she hears an unfamiliar male voice.*

  Male: Mr Fairshadow, I’m just here to give you aid. Your citizens are increasing in size drastically, and the majority of them are of Human descent.

  Griffin: I understand. *Stern.* But if you sold your child to someone else. Or kicked them out. Or maybe left them in a pit to slowly rot.

  *A younger male voice can be heard.*

  Younger: I can assure you, if we can come to some kind of agreement. We don’t plan on taking over the area.

  Griffin: Right. Because we don’t have the power in case of a hostile takeover?

  Younger: Yes! The Dwarves have been stretching farther to the east with every passing day. By next Summer, you may have them as your neighbors. And they just kill off the Halflings in their country.

  Griffin: And how much would this? Gracious. Protection. Cost the people of the Oasis?

  *The door opens, and everyone turns. Griffin smiles for a moment, but goes back to a scowl.*

  Griffin: Maybe you’re right. I mean, we can’t even keep our doors sealed. *Laughs*

  *Emma places her hand on Griffin’s thigh to speak with him telepathically.*

  Emma: Can I get rid of them so you can explain?

  Griffin: *Grins* I can assure you, Lord Gross?

  Goss: It’s Goss.

  Griffin: Oh, I do apologize, and what was your son's name again?

  Goss: If you’re not going to take this seriously.

  Griffin: *Sigh.* Just don’t kill them.

  *Griffin waves his hand toward them as he looks down, and as Goss’s son goes to stand from his seat, he freezes.*

  Goss: Drew? *Gasp*

  *Emma drops her stealth.*

  Emma: I don’t know, I’ve always wanted to skin a human. You don’t need them both, do you, Love?

  *Drew collapses.*

  Drew: My legs! Why can’t I move my legs! Or my arms?!

  Emma: Because I paralyzed you. *Human* Ass. *Common* Don’t worry, it should wear off in a couple.

  *Goss calls for some help and leaves with his son angrily. Emma turns to Griffin.*

  Griffin: *Angry* I don’t want to talk about it, Emma.

  Emma: Excuse me?!

  *Emma pushes herself in between Griffin and his desk before sitting on the papers.*

  Emma: I love you, but we both know my blades are sharper.

  Griffin: Yeah, well, mine is longer. *Smacks Emma’s leg* Now move, Dennis doesn’t care for being sat on.

  *Emma jumps up, embarrassed as she turns around to Dennis, changing back from his Quil form.*

  Emma: Sorry, Dennis.

  Dennis: *Stretches* It’s fine, just move me next time, please.

  *Emma looks at Griffin, who’s back to reading over the papers, before turning to Emma, still irritated slightly by his guests earlier.*

  Griffin: That’s about the gist of things. We’ve known of the Dwarves for a while, and it’s all false reports. I’ve actually been talking with a desert town to the far west about setting up trade since we’ve got creative people making and growing things all over town, and we’ve been wanting to look into getting some metals imported.

  Emma: Why not send a team to the other.. Right Halflings.

  Griffin: And I can’t go.

  Emma: Why? I mean, honestly. Griffin, you’re aware you don’t do much right?

  Griffin: Um? Want to try that again?

  Emma: I didn’t mean it that way.

  Griffin: I’m aware, but I know what you mean. Even when they gave me the job I didn’t want it, but they all started saying I owed it to them, and it made me feel guilty.

  *Emma looks at Dennis*

  Emma: What’s your excuse?

  Dennis: I tried to tell him, but he just thinks I’m being paranoid.

  Emma: Okay, then tell the next person that comes in here they’re fired. I don’t care who it is.

  Griffin: *snickers* You know I can’t do that, my dangerous little rose.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Emma: Then let me lead our troops.

  Griffin: *Laughs* Troops? You mean the Wardens?

  Emma: You’re right. They’re useless.

  Griffin: *Offended* They’re also some of my best workers. Are you okay? You seem extra Aggro.

  Emma: Do you really not see that they’re using you? An Elf in charge. Even if they lose, they can claim we forced them. Then what.

  Griffin: *Sighs* Okay. Yes. *Looks at Emma.* I know it’s not the best, but as I told Dennis. At least we’re safe. They’re not going to bother me as long as I keep talking.

  Dennis: And then I brought up the possibility of this exact scenario.

  Griffin: Yes, but I think we can agree, you said I’d be dragged away at the first sign of humans.

  Emma: The tree’s roots should become self-sufficient come winter, next year. I was hoping for this year, but Flint found some more fissures. Luckily, the roots that need protection are mostly covered. But they’re still growing. The inner root system should be done soon.

  Griffin: What’re you getting at? I thought we were discussing threats to the citizens, not the Oasis.

  Emma: Flint can finish the patrols alone. I’m asking, The Mayor. If I have permission to find someone as my assistant? In the event that a fight happens.

  Griffin: I mean, that was the plan for Flint anyway. Once the tree became self-sufficient, we would seal it off.

  Emma: And do Bi-Monthly checks. I know.

  Griffin: I’m not hiring anyone. The Humans will be watching, and any sign of hostility after our stunt might break what thin layer of ice we’re already on.

  Emma: Fine, let me ask this differently. Can I take a week off?

  Griffin: If it’ll help you relax, sure.

  Emma: Okay, I’ll see you tonight then.

  *Dennis takes his Quil form, and Griffin waves to Emma as she leaves his office.*

  *At the end of the day, Griffin sits on the couch, and a fireplace added to the center has been lit. The sound of the front door opening can be heard faintly, followed by Arthur talking excitedly, muffled too much to hear, but Griffin smiles as he stands up and walks toward the door.*

  Arthur: Griff! *Hugs and looks up.* Auntie has a surprise.

  *Griffin looks up to meet Emma’s gaze as she walks in, and she smiles.*

  Griffin: Surprise? For who?

  Emma: Do you remember that letter you received when we first started dating?

  Griffin: Faintly. Why?

  Haze: Evening.

  *Griffin jumps as Haze stands behind him. After laughing, they all sit down at a table where Griffin's bed once was. Arthur falls asleep quickly, lying with Lily and Zipzip, who’s now the size of Arthur’s torso.*

  Emma: *Laughs* I’m sorry. I still can’t get over that look on your face. I had to tell Dennis about it ahead of time since he has spirit eyes. That’s why he can kind of see where I am when I’m stealthed.

  Griffin: A lot of our earlier interactions make more sense now. *Looks at Dennis* Spirit eyes. Did you know?

  Dennis: How would I? I was kept as a caged bird in our childhood.

  Haze:*Sarcasm* Must be a riveting conversation.

  Griffin: Sorry. *Looks to Haze* How do you two know each other? *Looks at Emma.* Because you made it seem like the person from that letter was bad news.

  Emma: Do you remember me telling you about an elf named Misty who helped me with Kimmy?

  Griffin: Wait! I thought that was a girl?!

  Emma: Shhh!

  Haze: *Giggling* Sometimes the best disguise is one of the opposite gender.

  Emma: I roleplayed my dad for a bit. *Confused look* I don’t really remember much of it, though.

  Griffin: I’m not sure I want to ask. Either way, why is Haze here?

  Emma: I’ll let them explain.

  Haze: And it’ll help if I back track a small bit.

  When Emma destroyed the Veiled Glade, the Seers captured the rest of the elves and put them into slavery. Those who comply willingly get promoted. As a Seer’s scout, I was already tasked at this point to search the surrounding border towns for any sign of you. I found Airella drinking heavily at a bar, drunk off her ass. I decided not to approach, but I couldn’t find you.

  When I later went to ask her about you, she attacked me. I only got out because we both knew fighting could draw unwanted attention. During that, I asked where, and she told me not to play dumb before the surrounding area began to chill. I’ve seen what she is capable of, so I apologized and left.

  When I finished my job, a thick fog had covered Sylvyndor, and those who enter never return. I heard some gnomes tried tying off one friend and pulling him back every couple of feet. Eventually, he just vanished. The rope looked singed and cut at the same time, and it was too short to not be heard if he was attacked.

  After this, I came to the Oasis and hid as a halfling, using Hank for his tail. *A small rodent appears on Haze’s shoulder* But on the day that Griffin was giving his speech about the Oasis finding a “New” source of magical energy. I investigated… The only spirit tree in weeks. And found Emma. I know her past. And didn’t want to risk her killing me for looking at *Emma clears her throat* I was worried about how she felt about me. I saw Griffin running down the street as I was walking away, and noticed he went straight to the door. And eventually gave you the Letter.

  Haze: As to why I’m here. Emma informed me that you have noble threats.

  Griffin: *Sigh* Yes, but I’m not hiring.

  Haze: All I ask is for a place to stay.

  *Griffin looks at Emma.*

  Emma: We have that extra room. I say we clean it, and they can help in return. When he’s not busy, he’ll watch Arthur.

  Griffin: Yeah, but. How do I word this? *Sigh* How do I know he isn't a threat himself?

  Emma: Because I’m the only Seer who didn’t want to kill at first.

  Haze: Emma has always treated those under her as her equals, sometimes even putting those same people ahead of her own safety.

  Emma: I blamed myself as a Seer since the others are so…

  *Emma’s nose scrunches in anger.*

  Haze: They’re all about laws, but almost any crime is punishable by death or mutilation.

  *Griffin sits in silence, unsure what to say.*

  Haze: I haven’t heard from the Seers since just before I finished my scouting mission. I assumed that was because of the fog.

  Griffin: I’m sorry, but is it? Really. Safe to trust them?

  Emma: Yes. *looks Griffin up and down.* You okay? You seem… tense.

  Haze: I only swore a vow to Emma; the overseeing officers understood it as a general you at the time.

  Emma: When we first met, you were nothing more than a hollow shell. They assigned them numbers, but I never used them.

  Haze: No. 3754. I don’t think I’ll ever get that number out of my head.

  Griffin: *Looks to Emma* Don’t take this the wrong way, but why do we need them? I understand the basics, but can you elaborate? And as the mayor, even with a tail, how did I not recognize you?

  *Haze creates an illusion, making their ears more rounded.*

  Griffin: Okay, now you look slightly familiar. Huh, I never realized how easy it was for you to change. *Looks at Emma.*

  Emma:*Rolls eyes* Haze is going to act as a guard for Arthur and Kimmy. They contacted you, knowing I’d keep watch. Then they just waited until we went to the sands to visit Kimmy. As for anything beyond that. Trust me when I say this. You’re safer not knowing.

  *Griffin stands up and heads to a liquor cabinet in the corner, where he pours himself a drink.*

  Griffin: I know you want to keep me safe. But I think it’s time I started being more useful and standing up for myself. *Downs drink* At the next town meeting, I’m going to make an announcement. Depending on how the citizens take it, we may need to discuss aid from outside sources. Now tell me what’s happening and how I can help.

  Emma: Are you sure?

  Griffin: I’ve seen the nasty underbelly of the world as well. Have you ever been forced upon someone who also wasn’t willing?

  Haze: Yes, actually. Although it was part of a mission, I won’t claim to understand how you feel, though. While my emotions may seem dull at times, it’s just from my time with the Seers, I assure you.

  Griffin: And let me set something straight. They might treat me poorly sometimes, but I’m aware they’d be lost without me. At any time in the past, it becomes too much. I lock myself up until they come to me in a panic. It’s been some time since you helped. *Looks at Emma.*

  Emma: You mentioned taking some personal days. I didn’t know that's what you meant. You made it seem like you spent the day painting.

  Griffin: I did once. But hopefully that’ll stop your rampage against the people, as you put it, “Bullying me.”

  Emma: I was just going to scare them. *Pouts*

  Griffin: Well, both you and Haze are green elves, so I need to know, how much area can you cover?

  Haze: My spells are all personal spells. I can’t do anything flashy. Not like your Aurora’s ballet. *Looking at Emma.*

  Emma: Do you remember how to sustain?

  Haze: Of course! That’s as basic as breathing at this point.

  *Griffin looks at the two in confusion.*

  Emma: It’s the ability to share your Mana. Kind of how telepathy works, but instead of words behind the magic, you’re just pushing your own Magical energy into whatever their hands rest on. It’s an old Elven trait, but I think anyone can learn it in practice.

  Haze: The Seer’s teach it so we can power up our designated Seer for battles.

  *The three spend the rest of the day planning. Emma and Griffin carefully take Arthur to bed after smiling at the sleeping pile.*

  Griffin: *Softly* Quite the collection of creatures? *Chuckles.

  Emma: *Smiles* Yeah, but I love them all.