Tori Transmigrated

Chapter 68: Where Do You Get the Audacity

It was a good idea to keep their supplies from the excursion together. Although Uncle Maurizo took some to Alpine Valley and the twins had brought their sleeping bags and tent when they visited the delta, the items were all returned to storage at Auntie Lucia’s. It made it an easy matter to gather all the items to bring to Lycée for the Sword Association’s sponsored camping lecture.

Tori, Ilyana, and Albert all had backpacks on with the supplies split between them. Ilyana and Tori both had their hiking sticks, and Ilyana had her little dagger from Auntie Lucia hanging on her belt.

“Had I known, I would’ve put in an order when we were in Sur for dried pasta to re-sell.” Tori let out a regretful sigh. “Pre-made meal kits are convenient to carry and cook.”

“They’re much more delicious than jerky and hard bread.” Albert nodded in agreement.

“I feel that they also give you more energy,” Ilyana said. “I didn’t feel at all tired or heavy the next morning, though the meal was quite hearty.”

“It’s something to consider for next year, although if we tell Henrik, he’ll be annoyed we missed out on that this year.” Tori grinned. Ilyana nodded.

“Any missed opportunity to expand business is a blow to Henrik.”

“Speaking of him, why isn’t he helping today?” Albert said. “The tent takes five people to set up, doesn’t it? Four to hold down the corners and then one to pitch up the hiking stick inside?”

“Actually, only one person is needed. You just stake down the four corners, making sure they’re stretched, and then you can go in and push up the hiking stick. It’s just much faster with five,” Ilyana said.

“And Henrik is at Lions Gate East. Word spread quickly about the camping equipment offered and much of our stock has been purchased.” Tori smiled, pleased.

“Are you sure there weren’t any suspicious people there to buy them and resell?” Albert asked with a raised brow.

“They had to show their Lycée identification and if they were buying a group set, at least three people from the group had to be present to purchase it,” Tori said. “We were worried about resellers, too.”

“The ban on the Governing Board members and their families doesn't affect your sales much, does it?” Albert asked, shaking his head.

“Not at all, although Henrik did say that they had to reject a student who came because their father was on the Board.” Ilyana let out a pitying sigh. “It’s not their fault, but we should be consistent.”

“Several people were also denied lodging at Axton’s inns recently,” Tori said. “Their names were on the family lists that were spread out. I’m sure by now the Governing Board has heard they’re banned from all of Axton’s properties.”

“Solidarity!” Ilyana clenched her fist in front of her and nodded in approval.

Albert and Tori laughed. “Are those Board member families large?”

“Some of them. There are twelve members, and the list was a little under a hundred. It included spouses, children, and some grandchildren,” Tori told him. “They are banned from Lions Gate, Axton’s inns, Daybreak Garden, and any Guevera businesses.”

Albert shook his head with disbelief. “In the past, the Board has worked on many things related to Lycée, but it never had anything to do with Lycée projects. Grandma Letty said it’s strange that they would get involved suddenly. The tradition of the Lycée project is so old, they don’t interfere with it.”

“The speed in which it was approved and enacted is also telling,” Ilyana said. “It couldn’t be more suspicious if it tried.”

“The limit they set is also questionable. Why that much? My project is quite expensive as well, but it’s nowhere near that amount.” Albert narrowed his eyes.

“I’m telling you: Tori is being targeted!” Ilyana said with a huff.

“Yes, I think so, too.” Albert nodded in agreement. “JP asked around and none of the current academic students he’s spoken to are coming near the budget limit.”

“That’s not a perfect count, but JP’s information network is very wide. The official student reports for projects aren’t available outside of staff until the projects are done, so we’re not completely sure that Tori is the only one affected, but no one really keeps their spending a secret. If JP’s sources say most students don’t hit the budget limitation, then it’s safe to assume Tori may be the only one,” Ilyana rationalized. “No one knows what’s going on in Lycée like JP does; he even knows that Instructor Ignatius’ girlfriend broke up with him.”

Tori nearly stumbled in her step and snapped her head towards Ilyana. “Instructor Ignatius had a girlfriend?” She couldn’t contain the incredulous disbelief in her voice. Every day she was at the delta, she interacted with Instructor Ignatius and even had long conversations with him while she was in Anlar to try to walk through problems in their prototype devices over comcry. “He never mentioned he had a girlfriend!”

She felt as if a friend had kept a secret from her.

Albert nodded. “She works at the city office and, apparently, Instructor Ignatius forgot to tell her he was going to stay at the delta over the summer.”

Tori’s eyes were wide. “He forgot to....” Oh my God, no wonder she dumped him. Tori closed her eyes and shook her head. “Crystal fanatics are a different breed....”

They reached the training grounds and found the gate open. Many first-year students had already arrived and were scattered around the open practice area. Tori slowed to a stop as they entered and furrowed her brows.

“There are more people than expected....” Ilyana said softly. She leaned closer to Tori. “Are they all Sword Association members?”

“No.” Tori’s brows knit together, and she scanned the crowd. She recognized all the familiar first years who she’d worked with the last few days, and even some of their group mates that had joined them at the first lecture, but who were the others? Tori caught sight of Captain Messer in casual clothes, standing to the side with an annoyed look on her face. “Captain!”

The older student turned her head and stood up straight. “Tori!”

“What’s going on?” Tori walked towards her, holding out her arms and motioning towards the gathered crowd. “Why are there so many people?”

Captain Messer let out a heavy breath. “There was already a group when I arrived. Word spread that you and members of your group were going to have a practice run with the materials today and everyone wants to come. GG and I tried to tell students that this was only for Sword Association members and their group mates, but they insisted on staying to ask you.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think this was going to happen.”

“It’s not your fault, but you should straighten this out and let everyone know if they can stay or not,” Captain Messer told her. Tori nodded and turned to the crowd. She took a few steps forward and took a deep breath.

“Members of the Sword Association, good morning!” Tori nearly yelled out into the crowd and at once, the first years jumped. Those who were familiar with her rushed to stand up straight and give her a small bow of their heads in greeting.

“Good morning, Senior Tori!”

“Now that I have your attention, I would like to make this clear that today’s lecture and demonstration is only for Sword Association members and their group mates. If you are not a Sword Association member or you do not have one in your group, I will have to ask you to leave! Room is needed for today’s lecture, and we cannot all fit.”

A wave of disappointment rippled through the crowds, but Tori kept a firm look on her face as she stood in front of them: back straight, chin up, legs spaced out, and hands lightly clasped in front of her. She was petite and needed to give the appearance of authority somehow.

“Senior Tori, will you be giving another lecture after this one?” Someone in the crowd asked. Several students looked at her hopefully and she shook her head, crushing their hopes at once.

“I am afraid I do not have the time to do so. We had only planned for today and I’m afraid there is no time for another one, as you will be leaving for your excursion tomorrow evening!”

“We’re sorry to disappoint you,” Captain Messer said, stepping up to stand behind her. “Good luck to you all!”

Students slowly trickled out, picking up their various bundles and supplies. When they were almost all out of the training grounds, Tori shouted once more.

“Get into your groups of six and then find a spot in the training grounds to set up! Put at least three paces between you and another group on all sides. Today, we will be practicing setting up and taking down your campsites. Helping me is Ilyana Agafonova, who many of you have met through the tours.” Tori waved one hand in Ilyana’s direction.

“Good morning, everyone!” She smiled warmly at the first years and raised her hand to wave at them. Several students greeted her back with an air of familiarity.

“And we also have Albert Martin, who wasn’t in our group last year, but is kind enough to help us today.” Tori then motioned towards Albert. He smiled widely and waved, but his response was perhaps two claps and a few mutters of ‘good morning.’ His lips drew into a line at the lackluster response.

With a full day that could be dedicated to helping the first years, Tori, Ilyana, and Albert first set up their ‘campsite,’ with Tori stopping to explain the basic procedures and why they were doing it. She was pleased to see students diligently writing down her instructions and watching carefully.

After about an hour, Tori instructed them to begin assigning roles to their group mates and then begin setting up their camp. The three would-be instructors walked around the rows of tent cloths and bags to answer questions, help set up, or give general advice to the students. Tori was pleased that it was going smoother than she thought.

Once all the students’ tents were up and their mock campsites were set, Tori told them to take it all down.

“Once everyone is packed, take a lap around the training grounds with your supplies. This will give you an idea of how heavy they will be. Once the lap is over, return to your spots and we will set up again before breaking for lunch,” Tori said. “Where I will be showing you how to start a fire and boil water.”

“There is a lot more to this than I thought,” Albert said as they stood to the side to watch the students walk in a circle after they packed up.

“We needed to be prepared mainly to fight the cold,” Tori said. “It’ll be a little warm where they’re going, but close enough to the sea, where it will be humid.”

“What are we going to do for lunch?” Albert asked.

“Captain Messer and GG went to pick up food that was delivered to the gate for us,” Tori said. “We ordered sandwiches for everyone today; that’s why I had them bring their own water.”

“You had this catered?” Albert’s eyes widened.

Tori grinned. “Captain Messer said the Sword Association has some funds we could spend.”

“I’m glad I volunteered to help, then. Is it from Cafe Fortuna?”

Ilyana nodded. “Yes, we ordered you that pasta you like.”

“Very glad I volunteered."

“Tori,” Captain Messer walked towards her with a dark look on her face. Tori turned around and furrowed her brows, uncrossing her arms. The Captain held a large box over one shoulder and Albert went to help her.

“Captain?” Tori asked. She looked past the dark-haired senior and furrowed her brows. There were two people who went to get the food. “Where is GG?”

“Holding some people back.” Captain Messer tilted her head towards the gate. “Go out and see. I’m going to get Master McDouglass.”

Tori felt tense and glanced at Ilyana before walking towards the gates of the training grounds. She walked out and immediately saw the expected troublemakers, along with a few embarrassed and awkward first years standing behind them. The first years saw her coming and quickly avoided eye contact.

Tori didn’t pay any attention to them. Her eyes settled on the young blonde woman and her three idiot love interests.

Behind her, Ilyana let out a low growl before muttering under her breath. “Hart.”

Tori saw GG still standing his ground in front of the foursome to keep them from entering. Another large box of food was at his feet. Tori patted the back of his shoulder when she neared him.

“GG, I’ve got it. Go ahead and bring the sandwiches in,” Tori said in an affirming tone. GG glanced at Alessa and the others with uncertainty. Tori remembered that GG had been there when she beat Fabian and both he and Captain Messer must’ve recognized three of the four from that debacle.

“Careful, Tori,” GG told her in a low, almost unheard voice as he passed. Tori gave him a nod.

“What’s going on?” She let herself sound annoyed as she narrowed her eyes at Alessa, Dimitri, Gideon, and Fabian, who was standing a bit in front of her as if a protective wall. “What are you all doing here?”

“Lady Guevera, why did you ban these students from your camping lecture?” Alessa said as she took a step forward.

“The camping lecture is only for the Sword Association members and their group mates. This isn’t a secret,” Tori said. “We’ve been clear about that since the beginning.”

“That’s not fair,” Gideon said.

“How is that not fair?” Ilyana almost demanded as she looked at him as if he’d said something incredibly stupid.

“All students should be allowed to attend this lecture,” Dimitri said in a firm voice.

“Yes, you opened the tour for all first years. Why can’t you do the same for this?” Alessa asked, raising a hand towards the training grounds.

Tori lifted a hand to rub her forehead. “The tours were unofficial. Ilyana and I did them out of the goodness of our hearts and because we had time. The camping lecture is sponsored by the Sword Association, so it is only open to members of the Sword Association and their group mates, for obvious reasons.” She lifted her head and looked at Alessa. “If your baking club made cookies for your club, do we have the right to demand you make cookies for the entire school?”

Alessa snapped her head back and her eyes widened. She opened her mouth, but didn’t seem to know what to say. Next to her Fabian frowned and Gideon shot Tori an annoyed glare.

“Those are two different things!”

“Lady Guevera, your lecture can be of immense help to these first years,” Dimitri told her in a placating voice. “Do you not have it in you to extend your reach?”

Tori’s eyes narrowed and her expression chilled. Is this little shit trying to guilt me?

Next to Ilyana behind her, Albert crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes. “Mr. Guthry, didn’t your team come in first on the excursion last year? Why don’t you do a lecture for non-Sword Association students?”

Ilyana’s eyes widened and she jumped on the idea. “That makes sense! The top students came to guide the first years when they were moving in. Shouldn’t the top group from last year’s excursion give a lecture?”

Albert seemed to smile. He looked towards the first-year students. “These four students were all in the group that came first last year. I’m sure they’ll do a better job at explaining than the group that came in third.”

“That seems to be the best option.” Master McDouglass seemed to appear from the training grounds with Captain Messer behind him. “However, please take your lecture elsewhere. Our association is trying to focus.”

“Master McDouglass, is it possible to allow other students to at least watch?” Dimitri asked the old man.

“No.” Master McDouglass’ answer was quick, and Tori bit her lips to keep from laughing. The towering man moved in front of her and gave Dimitri and the others a disapproving frown. “This is a Sword Association-only event, Mr. Guthry. It is very disrespectful of you to try to undermine our event like this. There is no rule that club events should be open to everyone.”

Dimitri lowered his eyes and winced. “I understand that Master McDouglass, but-”

“There is no ‘but’,” Captain Messer said, still irritated. She turned towards the first years. “Did you tell your seniors to complain to us?”

“No, senior....”

“We were talking out loud and this senior overheard us and said that they would come talk to Senior Tori to let us in,” one of the boys said, trying to subtly point to Alessa.

Captain Messer turned to Alessa, and her face hardened. “Where do you get the audacity to demand such a-”

“I think we made our stance clear,” Tori said, slipping in front of Captain Messer and facing her four classmates. She looked past them, towards the students and gave them a curt nod. “I apologize for the disappointment; however, as Master McDouglass has said: this is a Sword Association-only event.”

Tori turned around and ushered Captain Messer and her friends back into the training grounds. A handful of first years were watching from the entrance and scattered when Tori turned around.

“All right, everyone! Once your setup is done, please come and pick up a sandwich from Ilyana and Albert!” Tori said as she looked around. “We’ll eat, show you how to make a fire, take down the tents, do another lap and one more set up and take down before we leave for the day.”

“And before you leave, the Sword Association will be gifting each group here with a small first aid kit, courtesy of Tori and Ilyana’s Lions Gate!” Captain Messer told them.

The students all looked happy to hear this and quickly finished their set ups before going to get sandwiches.

“What’s in the first aid kits?” Albert asked as he sat against the wall with Tori and Ilyana.

“Small bandages, a roll of a big bandage, salves for cuts, bruises, disinfection, and anti-itchiness, a small pair of scissors, and tweezers,” Ilyana said, proud.

“We also added a small packet of ice calcite that can be broken to chill and reduce swelling,” Tori said. “Instructor Ignatius and I just finished working on it.”

“Why would they need that?” Albert furrowed his brows and looked at them. Ilyana and Tori both stared back.

“Who sprained their ankle in last year’s excursion?” Tori asked in a deadpan voice. Albert’s eyes drifted to the side.

“Ah. I see.”

“Why are you smiling?” JP looked at Henrik with a vague expression of disgust as the blond stepped into Auntie Lucia’s kitchen. Henrik had an uncharacteristic beaming smile.

Tori looked up from the stove, where she was frying some cured meat. “Hey, Henrik!”

“Have you heard the news?” he asked as his eyes crinkled deviously.

Sonia, who was leaning against the back counter with Ilyana, raised a brow. “I’m almost afraid to ask.”

“Is it good news?” Ilyana asked. Constantine looked up from the island, where he was slicing some fresh bread they picked up that morning on their way to Auntie Lucia’s.

With Henrik there, they were only waiting for Piers and Axton to arrive. Nanny Rey was already there and outside, showing Marco and Mateo some dagger strikes with Ewan and Albert. The dining room and adjacent parlor had been set up for Tori’s ‘brunch’ that centered around the cured meat she brought back from Karap.

“I was at the guild this morning with my father, and everyone was talking about the ban on Lycée’s Governing Board,” Henrik said, almost unable to contain his glee and kept smiling. “As we expected, the Board was going to try to boycott Lions Gate when they found out Tori was suing them to try to pressure her into withdrawing the suit. But we announced a ban on all the Board members and their families with signs on our windows.

“Daybreak Garden and Sir Nassaun’s Inns have joined the ban and word just reached the guild yesterday that all businesses owned by the Gueveras and the O’Tuaghs, including Iron Head shipping, have instituted a ban. Duchess Fekete and Duchess Tetri also found out and issued a ban on their stores, as well.” Henrik looked towards Tori, almost in awe. “When did you make connections with the duchies?”

“I met some of them at the Empress’ birthday banquet,” Tori said as she removed the meat and then changed pans. “They want to invest in the delta and hope to see it, so they’re probably showing solidarity for favor. I wasn’t planning for them to get involved at all.”

“Are the Board members very influential?” Sonia asked.

“Compared to us, yes,” JP said as he swiped a piece of fruit from one of the bowls. “Compared to Tori, no. They’re lesser local nobles or from political and merchant dynastic families.”

“But all of them have some sort of tie to a business,” Henrik said. “Being banned from so many places is not only limiting, but humiliating.”

“I doubt they’re going to give in so easily,” Tori said as she dropped some butter into a pan and let it sizzle as she moved to the counter to scramble eggs. “If it were me, I wouldn’t admit defeat to a fifteen-year-old just a few days after a ban.”

“I suspect you’ll hear from them soon, though,” Constantine said as he arranged the bread on a platter behind her. “They will likely reach out to you first to try to settle it outside of court.”

“They can settle it with my lawyer.”

“When did you go get a lawyer?” Sonia asked with a chuckle.

“Okay, it’s Grandpa Sophos.” Tori dropped her shoulders as she reddened. “He’s been guiding me through this entire process. He said that if they don’t retract or revise the policy in our favor by the end of the month, he’s going to set the official court date.”

“This is quite a lot of work.” Constantine knitted his brows as he seasoned a thick cream dip. “Is there no way for you to lower your budget within the limit? I can talk to the church to see what else can be done.”

“Not with the plans that are already in movement. I do have an alternate plan, but at this point, I just refuse to be silenced,” Tori said. Part of her did occasionally think she had gone too far in suing her own school’s Governing Board, but another part of her was infuriated knowing how many people this would hurt. People she knew were working hard towards a communal goal.

She wouldn’t call this revenge, per se, but if the Board was going to make her suffer, then she’d make them suffer with her.

“My lady,” the family butler reached the entrance to the kitchen. “His Highness and Sir Nassaun have arrived.”

He stepped back and the two men in casual clothes walked in, prompting formal greetings from everyone else in the kitchen, except Tori.

“Is the food ready?” Axton asked as he looked around. His eyes settled on the various plates and bowls on the counters, ready to be brought to the dining room.

“Almost!” Tori said. She looked at the twins and Ilyana. “Go ahead and bring the food out. I’m almost done with this.”

“I’ll help them bring it out,” Constantine said. He picked up the platter of bread and followed the others to the parlor.

“Axton, can you tell Nanny Rey and everyone outside that it’s almost ready?” Tori asked. She kept her eyes on the eggs and prepared to plate them.

She heard Axton walk past her to go to the yard behind the house.

“Do you need help?” Piers asked as he approached her.

“I’m almost done!” Tori looked over her shoulder and smiled. “Don’t worry, everyone helped me this morning.” She saw his hopeful eyes falter a bit as he nodded.

“Okay.”

“Go sit in the parlor. I’ve prepared the table there for you and Axton,” Tori told him. “Marco and Mateo can get very loud and messy and require supervision, so they’ll be in the dining room.”

Piers nodded once more and wandered out of the kitchen. A moment later, the said boisterous twin boys rushed into the kitchen, yelling, and making exaggerated slashing motions with their arms.

An already tired-looking Auntie Lucia came in behind them. “Now they want dagger lessons,” she told Tori. “I don’t know when they’ll even have time.”

Tori chuckled and finished plating the eggs. She put them on a tray and headed out into the dining room. Her friends and family sat around the large table, with only Axton and Piers missing.

“I’ll leave Mr. Zisos to let everyone know what today’s dishes are,” Tori said. “And don’t worry, we do have more meat to cook if these are finished.”

At least half the dining table looked relieved. Constantine said a quick prayer before he began to introduce the dishes. “I hope you all enjoy it. Most of these are traditional breakfast foods from Karap and Temple Mountain. The dishes without any cured meats are standard pilgrimage food.”

Tori went back into the kitchen and picked up a large tray, stacked with food, and brought it to the parlor. Axton and Piers were seated on sofas opposite each other and looking around. As soon as Tori walked in, Axton rose from his chair to help her.

“You should’ve said something, I would’ve carried this out,” he said as he took the tray from her. He carried it to the coffee table that was set up with some plates and utensils.

“Yeah, but you’re today’s guest,” Tori said. “I’ll be all right. I have to get the drinks.” It didn’t take her long to return, but somehow, Axton’s plate was already piled with food. Tori squinted. Upon closer inspection, he seemed to have simply taken one of the serving plates. “Axton....”

“It looks good!” He stabbed a fork into the dish, as if to claim it, and smiled. “Thanks, Tori!”

“Did he at least save you some?” Tori asked as she took a seat next to Piers. It was the side of the decorated coffee table that had two place settings.

“He gave me one,” Piers said. He narrowed his eyes across the table.

“It’s spicy,” Axton said in between chews. “You wouldn’t like it.”

Tori shook her head and leaned forward. “You’ll like this. It’s scrambled eggs on toast with slices of cured meat and a local cheese from Karap.”

Piers said nothing, but pushed his plate closer to her so she could take a slice of the cheesy toast and put it on his plate. It was meant to be eaten with one’s hands, but Tori didn’t stop him from using a fork and knife.josei

“I heard the duchies have banned the Board members,” Axton said as he poured himself some coffee. “You’re welcome.”

Tori looked up and raised a brow. “That was you?”

“I may have mentioned it.” Axton shrugged and leaned back against his seat with a plate in one hand and a cured lamb omelet toast in the other.

“Duchess Fekete summoned him to complain about the Alvere Duchy,” Piers said.

“I told her I was planning on starting the process to claim my rights,” Axton told her. “She was happy to hear it. I mentioned banning the Lycée Governing Board members and she was intrigued. She said she’d ban them, too, but I didn’t think she was serious.”

“It’s appreciated, but she didn’t have to.”

“Duchess Fekete always does what she wants,” Axton said, brushing it off as a normal occurrence. “She thinks you’re being targeted.”

“I think everyone thinks that.” Tori sighed. “It’s just...too convenient that I’m likely the only one it applies to.”

“Hmm...,” Piers said as he frowned. “Did you find out who requested such a policy?”

“No, not yet,” Tori said. “It seems the only ones who know are the Board members and they are obviously not talking to me.”

Axton shook his head. “I’d hate to be the idiot who instigated this whole thing. I don’t think they realize what they’ve done.”

“Tori.” Piers pushed his plate to Tori once more and she gave him something else without question.

“Wheat pancake with mixed berry jam and sweet cream,” she said proudly. “That’s one of mine. It’s good with coffee.”

Piers’ lips drew a small smile.

Axton curled the side of his lip with distaste as he eyed Piers. “It’s just the three of us. You can serve yourself, like you usually do.”

“Tori won’t give me food I don’t like,” Piers said, as if stating a fact. Axton rolled his eyes. He seemed to look towards the dining hall out the door and across the foyer. They could hear the rapid talking and yelling of two little boys coming from it.

“This one is a thick cut of ham,” Tori said as she picked up a slice. “The sauce is a bit sour, but when you eat it together, it’s very good.”

“Okay.” Piers nodded and seemed to quicken his pace to cut into it. “It looks delicious.”

“Mr. Zisos made it.”

“Oh.” His shoulders dropped.

“After this, I have some watercolors to show everyone,” Tori said. “I painted a lot on my trip to Anlar and back. They came out pretty well.”

“Tori, do you need any more food?” Auntie Lucia came and peered into the parlor.

“I’d like some more of that spicy lamb with egg,” Axton said, sitting up straight.

Auntie Lucia winced and gave him an apologetic look. “Sorry, that was the first to run out.”

“I’ll make some more,” Tori said. She stood up and walked around the sofa to get to the kitchen. “It’s easy to make. How many do you want, Axton?”

“How many do you have?”

She gave him a look before walking into the kitchen. Constantine was already there slicing the lamb. “Mr. Zisos, I can take care of it! You’re a guest today, too.”

“I said I would help,” he said, glancing up with a smile before looking down at the piece of meat. “Besides, I am used to this. My uncle didn’t want me to grow up spoiled, so I participated in all the usual cleaning and cooking duties of Temple Mountain. I’m used to helping in the kitchen.”

“Is there no kitchen staff?”

“We are the kitchen staff.” Constantine laughed. “Only select people, mostly clergy and some cloistered orders, can live there, so much of the day-to-day work is communal. Even Uncle spends time in the kitchen. He says that in the eyes of the gods, he is just another man.”

Tori nodded, but still put an apron on. “Then you get started on that. I’ll get the eggs.”

“Tori?” Just as she made it to the stove, she looked back towards the entrance to the parlor and saw Piers standing there. “Can I help?” His eyes darted to Constantine, and he seemed to fidget, as if wanting to do something.

“Bring me the eggs,” Tori said, pointing towards the counter near him. Piers nodded and let out a low breath before picking it up and walking towards her.

“I can crack them for you.”

“All right.” He stood beside her and cracked eggs into a bowl without another word until she told him to stop. Then she poured it over the lamb slices Constantine made in a skillet. “Axton! If you want some more, come to the dining hall!”

Once more, the dish was finished quickly. There was no food left over, much to Marco and Mateo’s disappointment, and Tori could’ve sworn they glared at Axton, as if blaming him for eating too much.

The family maids made quick work of clearing the parlor before Tori gathered everyone there to show them her watercolors.

“Where is this?” Ilyana asked as she lifted one of the cards.

“That is the sunset from my balcony at Moss Hill.”

“Oh....” Ilyana nodded and beamed. “That looks relaxing.”

“If you want it, you can take it,” Tori said as she brightened. “I made a lot and thought it would be a nice souvenir to give out. My parents and brothers, and my cousin, have already picked out some and took them home.”

“Where are these horses from?” Sonia asked.

“The horses at Moss Hill. They’re huge and have these tufts at their hooves.”

“Why aren’t there any people?” Ewan asked. Tori cringed.

“I can’t paint people. It comes out...strange looking.” She shot JP and Henrik a glare as they muffled their laughter.

“Isn’t this Karap?” Constantine asked as he lifted a card. “Can I have this one?”

Tori nodded, pleased. “Yes! Please take it!”

Axton seemed to be carefully looking over them as Auntie Lucia laid them out on the table to get a better look and compare.

Piers stood to the side, away from everyone else. Tori moved towards him quietly. She kept her eyes on the others as they hovered around the coffee table, and each other, comparing watercolors. Auntie Lucia told them which ones were from Moss Hill and King’s Harbor, having been there before.

“Too crowded to take a look?” Tori asked as she stood next to Piers. He nodded without a word. “Okay, I have one more.” Tori went to the little folio where she kept the watercolors and took out her most recent one. She had been worried that Piers wouldn’t take any of her little souvenir watercolors because they were a reminder of her summer adventure while he was stuck in meetings at the palace, so she painted one more.

It was inside a cardstock folder to be kept separate from the others. She stood up straight and handed it to him.

Piers looked down at her hands and slowly accepted it. His expression was neutral as he opened the folder. Tori eagerly watched his face.

There was no large change of emotion, as she expected, but a glimmer of joy flickered in his eyes that made her smile.

“Do you like it?” she asked.

“For me?” His eyes didn’t look away from the watercolor of the delta’s sunset from the shoreline. It had been the only other place Piers had gone all summer. Tori nodded. “I like it.”