金瓶梅第2部

Coraline breathed a sigh of relief, watching the Church's men walk off with their captives: Felicity, Elladan, and Olesya.

The three of them had survived the events on the Golden Eagle... but with three counts of murder and two counts of grand theft.

They would not have long lives...

"It's so unnerving dealing with the Church of the Eternal Flame," She groaned, shaking her head. "It's like... they're always looking for signs of heresy."

The green-haired Decanus frowned, "That is... essentially an Inquisitor's job description."

"Coraline..." Lone bit his upper lip, "How did you know? That it was Felicity, I mean?"

Coraline puffed out her cheeks in contemplation... "I recognized her tattoos... they're distinctly Elven-- and they mark her as belonging to a Druidic Order. Druids can turn into animals... and during their transformations, their gear gets melded with them."

"Ohhh," Lone grinned. "You're pretty smart Coraline."

"Hah, right..." Coraline smiled politely.

She actually felt very stupid. Sir Tychon knew about it, the whole time... If she hadn't learned about the loopholes in the ship formations, she might not have figured it out, at all.

It was... blind luck that she'd met the two of them.

Lone had absolute trust in his superior... and admittedly, he was reliable in the worst of situations.

It made her reconsider joining their guild...

Bleigh. She'd have to think about that in the future. She couldn't waste her airship ticket to the Eastern States. It was expensive.

"Coraliiiiiiine!!!!!"

She turned abruptly to see two approaching Popotoes, one of them waving like a madwoman. Coraline waved back, trying not to mind the harsh looks of the various Tyrion passersby.

Empty night, she haaaaated being stared at...

"So glad we found you!" Mister Giorgio huffed, "We'd thought you'd already left?"

A tearful Lucrezia rushed to Coraline and embraced her at the waist, "Oh, Coraline! I'm so glad that all that dreadful business is behind us!"

Coraline hugged Lucrezia back, "Me too, Auntie Lu... Oh, I'm so sorry about your chain. It was so beautiful..."

"It's fine, dear," Lucrezia held her hand, gently smiling. "As long as you're safe, everything is fine~!"

Lone wore a troubled smile, "Wh... what are you guys wearing?"

The two Popotoes had forgone their usual wealthy-middle class attire. Auntie Lucrezia was wearing a multi-colored dress and wide-brimmed sun-hat (and was without her gloves.) Mister Giorgio was wearing a gaudy striped shirt, half-trousers, and a small pack where his belt buckle would be.

"After everything that happened... I just wanted to wear something simple," Lucrezia smiled.

"It looks great on you, Auntie," Coraline beamed.

"This is my *adventuring* gear! --so to speak," Giorgio chuckled. "Especially this lightweight, leather kangaroo pouch! It's very convenient for touring to see the sights."

Lone nodded in awe, "I... I want one."

"I forbid you from wearing that in my presence," Tychon whispered harshly.

"Miss Coraline, have you finally decided to travel with Mister Lone?" The older woman smiled, her eyes shining radiantly in the afternoon sun.

Giorgio put an arm around his wife, "Oh! You two are a wonderful match!! And Sir Tychon, you would be their protective older brother!!"

"I feel like an exasperated parent," The noble rolled his eyes.

"Nonsense, my boy! You're far too young for that!" Giorgio insisted, "Don't be in such a hurry to grow up! Enjoy it! It won't last forever!"

"Y-yes," Coraline admitted. "Tomorrow evening, I'm leaving for the Archangel... but Mister Lone and I will... will be going on an... an outing in the morning."

"It's a date!" Lone grinned.

Coraline chopped the idiot boy in the throat. He bent over, holding his neck and coughing painfully.

"Oh, wonderful! Absolutely lovely!" Giorgio cheered.

Lucrezia put her palms together, "Dearest Coraline... is your boyfriend quite alright?"

"He'll be fine," Tychon answered for her. "Now... if you'll excuse us, Mister Giorgio, Lady Lucrezia, we must be off to arrange a place to stay."

"How about we travel just a little bit longer!" Giorgio pouted, "Dinner! On me! How about it?!"

Coraline bowed her head... then grabbed the back of Lone's head and forced him to bow with her, "I'm sorry, Mister Giorgio. We really must be going."

Tychon took a step forward... "Where do you propose?"

Coraline reached up to snatch at the noble's ear, "What do you think you're doing *Sir*?"

With a smooth grab and twist, Tychon removed her hand, "Mister Lone."

As the noble rotated Coraline's arm over her head, she found herself spinning-- and terrifyingly fast... "Eee!!"

"I got you!" Lone caught her by the waist and dipped her as if they were dance partners.

...Dazed as she was, whatever had just happened was nothing short of impressive.

Tychon smoothed out the folds on his robe, "I've... found the company of the Castiglioni's to be... nice. Let's travel together, another sun longer."

"Oh, that would be wonderful!" Lucrezia clapped her hands together in excitement.

Giorgio bobbed his head up and down, "I met a town crier earlier that absolutely RAVED about a restaurant called the Black-Tailed Gull!"

"We accept your invitation," The young master declared.

"Aha..." Lone chuckled... rubbing at his neck, "Boss' biggest weakness is food."

Coraline pursed her lips. That could be useful information... "Well, I suppose it'll be fine."

...

⟬ Later that evening. ⟭

Dinner with the Castiglioni's was excellent-- even though Tycondrius did have to suffer nearly two bells of Pettaia history and stratagems.

During which, they discussed the following sun's plans.

In the morning, Tycon would pay a visit to the Basilica. Though simply named, it was the largest and most defensible Church structure in the nation, erected in the near-center of Cersei's Rest.

Lone and Coraline would be going on their outing, which would last until the early evening. At that time, they'd see her off on her airship to the Eastern States.

After dinner, Tycon was happy to withdraw to the comfort of his inn room. He was looking forward to taking inventory of his and Lone's gear.

As for the two children, they'd split off from the group to visit a nature trail... or something of that design.

However, after a few bells... he heard a knock on his door.

Opening it... he beheld the sight of Barza Keith, the Lone Shadowdark.