Chapter 6 Chapter 5 Returning Home Again

When Danica and Brother Stone Shoulder walked into the south hall on the second floor of the Mengzhi Library, a series of shouts sounded from in front of them.Before they reached Dean Avery's office, they knew that he was the source of the uproar, and they knew from the whispers they had heard when they arrived that it was Zirkan Rufo who was being scolded. "It's great that you are back." A voice came from the side.The headmistress Portelope walked towards the three of them, with a warm smile on her face, wearing the long-sleeved gown that has become her standard attire now, and a pair of black gloves.From the neck down, not an inch of skin was exposed; moreover, between the black robe and the cropped gray and white hair, her face seemed almost detached from her body, floating in an empty background. "I'm afraid you're falling for Simista—and that's understandable," the headmistress said sincerely, without a hint of judgment in her calm tone.

"What nonsense!" Yiwen snorted and shook his head vigorously, "How could I like such a fairy-like place?" Pikel kicked him in the shin, and the brothers glared at each other. "Simista is great," Danica admitted, "especially once we've knocked all the monsters back. The shadow that hangs over the elven forest seems to have lightened a lot." Pertelope nodded, and flashed a warm smile again. "Are you going to see Dean Avery?" The sentence was both a question and a statement. "That's our job," Danica replied, "but he doesn't seem to be in a good mood today."

"In my opinion, Rufo can easily ruin anyone's good mood," Ivan interjected. Pertelope nodded again and squeezed out a tense smile, "Zirkan Rufo's behavior in the forest will not be easily forgotten." She explained, "If this young priest wants to re- Gaining the trust of the Masters - especially Master Avery - takes a lot of hard work." "He deserves it!" Ivan said angrily. "Ooh!" Pikel added. "I hear Rufo's been punished a little bit," Pertelope continued, looking intently at Danica's fist. Danica unconsciously hid the culprit's hands behind her back.She couldn't deny that she had punched Rufo when he complained about his companion's incompetence in the forest.She also couldn't deny that she really enjoyed knocking down this big-mouthed idiot.However, her actions were reckless, and there may be some consequences for her.

Sensing the young woman's uneasiness, Pertelope quickly changed the subject. "After you've finished talking with Master Avery," she said to Danica, "please come to me. We have a lot to discuss." Danica knew that Purtelope meant Cadderly, and she had a thousand questions to ask the Matriarch right away.But she just nodded and kept silent, because she knew what her duty was, and her personal wishes had to be put on hold. The observant headmistress smiled knowingly and said, "See you later." Then she winked at the young woman and walked away. Danica watched her go, thoughts of Cadderly pouring out with every step of the kind Pertelope.Ivan's booted feet slapped impatiently, reminding Danica that she had other priorities, and she turned reluctantly to face the two dwarves. "Are you two ready to face Avery?"

Ivan chuckled maliciously, "Put it on me." The dwarf assured her, grabbed her by the arm, and pulled her towards the fat headmaster's office. "If the fat guy is rude to you, I'll threaten him to cut down on his dinner. Being the cook of a place is a lot of power!" Danica agreed, but didn't feel much better as she approached the door and heard the extent of Avery's anger more clearly. "It's all excuses!" the patriarch yelled. "You're always full of excuses! Why don't you take responsibility for your actions?" "I didn't—" they heard Rufo begin weakly, but Avery cut him off.

"You did!" cried the Master. "You betrayed them to that evil imp, and more than once!" There was a pause, and then Avery's voice came again, calmer this time. "Your actions after that were a little brave, I admit," he said, "but that doesn't make you innocent. You're not forgiven, not at all. Now, go back to your mission, and remember, if you Make one more mistake and you'll be out of luck!" The door was pushed open, and a haggard Rufo rushed out.He looked rather unhappy to see Danica and the dwarf brothers. "Surprised?" Ivan asked him, grinning.

The lean man tilted slightly to one side, running his fingers through his tangled black hair.His black eyes were darting around, as if looking for an escape.But Rufo had no other route to go, so he squeezed his way between Danica and Pikel, and hurried away, looking visibly embarrassed. "You're having a good time, huh?" Ivan called after him, enjoying the thin man's pain. "It took you a while to find your way back to me." An angry cry came from the room, making the three of them turn to Avery. "Ooh," Pikel said, but Ivan just snorted and paced into the room, making his way to Avery's oak desk.Danica and Pikel followed hesitantly.

Avery's anger seemed to have almost been vented.The chubby man pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his sweaty, scarred face. "I thought you weren't coming back," he said, trying to catch his breath.He took turns looking at Ivan and Pikel. "I've even suggested to Principal Thobicus that we need a new cook." "Don't worry," Ivan assured him, bowing deeply, dragging his yellow beard to the ground. "The owner of your stomach has returned." Pikel shrieked his heartfelt agreement, but the sullen look that resurfaced in Avery's eyes showed that he didn't appreciate the smug attitude of the rowdy brothers.

"Of course we'll need you to hand over a full—handwritten—report on what you did at Simista," he said, pulling some papers from the large desk. "I can't write." Ivan said deliberately, "but I can help you cook a goblin ear stew. This dish can almost sum up what I have cooked in Simista." Even though Dan Nika couldn't help a chuckle at these words. "Then Miss Maupassant can help you," said Avery slowly, telling them that he didn't find it funny at all. "When will you need it?" Danica asked, hoping it would be all winter long.Her thoughts were all on Caladon, on Cadderly, and she was beginning to feel that she should go all the way across the mountains and go straight to him.

"You're scheduled to see Head Thobix in three days," Avery told her, "so you should have plenty of time—" "Impossible," Danica told him. "I'll see the dean today, or tomorrow morning, but—" "In three days," Avery repeated, "the dean's schedule is out of your hands, Miss Maupassant." Again he referred to her by her last name, which Danica knew was to emphasize his anger. . Danica felt trapped. "I'm not your student," she reminded the fat man, "I'm under no obligation to—" Avery interrupted her again. "Do what you say," he said sternly. "Don't think your actions at Simista have been forgotten or forgiven."

Danica took a step back; Ivan, angry and confused, straightened on his toes and glared at Avery. "Gah?" was all Pikel uttered, stunned. "Like I said," Avery said loudly, hitting the table with a hulking fist. "You all acted like heroes, whether at Simista or before, when the evil priest and his insidious curse befell the library, but none of that excuses your actions, Miss Maupassant. " Danica wanted to scream "what act?", but she was too angry to make a sound. "You attacked Rufo," explained Avery at last, "and without being provoked, you attacked a priest of the order of Denir, one of the main deities of this library. " "That's what he asked for!" Ivan retorted. Avery managed a small smile. "Honestly, I don't doubt that," he agreed, seemingly reverting to his former, more approachable personality for a moment. "But it's still against the rules." He looked Danica directly into her brown eyes. "If I were to deal with Rufo's complaint, you might never be able to return to the library." "Think about it," Alfred continued, giving Danica and the dwarf brothers a moment to ponder what he meant, "all the information you need is here, all the classics of Master Pampa Damm Here. I know how important your research is to you." "Then why are you threatening me like that?" Danica snapped.She brushed a bunch of unruly hair from her face and crossed her arms in front of her. "If I was wrong in beating Rufo, I admit it. But if the same thing happens again—if, after all the hardship and all the killing, I still have to listen to his endless whining and slander against me and my friends —To be honest, I can’t guarantee that I won’t hit him again.” "Oooh!" Pikel agreed readily. "Just say he asked for it," Ivan said again. Avery shook his hands reassuringly, trying to calm the three of them down. "I agree," he said, "and I assure you that I have no intention of making Rufo's allegations come true. Instead, I want you to provide what I asked for earlier. Prepare your report and meet Thor in three days' time Bewkes, that's what he asked for. I can assure you that Rufo's allegations will never be brought up again with you, or anyone else." Danica blew away the hair that was stubbornly falling on her face again, and Avery knew it was a gesture of reassurance. "All the reports indicate that Cadderly is doing well," the Master said calmly.Danica flinched.Hearing his name said aloud brought back fear and painful memories. "He lives in the 'Dragon's Fig Leaf', which is a good hotel." Alfred continued, "Federgar, the owner of the hotel, is our friend, and he is taking care of Cadderly in secret—although the task is not difficult, Because that child can be said to stay at home at all.” The chubby Dean's apparent concern for Cadderly reminded Danica that Avery was no enemy—either to her or to her beloved.She knew, too, that much of Avery's outrage might stem from the fact that it also gnawed at her: Cadderly had only been in the library long enough to take a bunch of his belongings.Cadderly had not, and probably never would, return to this "home". "I'm going to Carraton this afternoon," Avery announced. "The Masters have a lot to discuss with the leaders there. There's an imminent threat of war and... well, don't worry. You three can at least rest for few days." Once again, Danica understood the meaning of the chubby dean's words.Of course, there was business between the library and Calaton, but Danica felt that Avery, whose role was to oversee and mentor the young priests, was an unlikely candidate to be chosen to represent the library in Calaton.Danica knew that Alfred had to go willingly and insisted, and not because of the threats to the area.His going to Carraton to take care of things was just an excuse so he could visit Cadderly, a young man he regarded as his own. Danica started off with the dwarves.The dwarf brothers flanked Danica protectively as they left the door. "Don't worry," Ivan said to Danica, "my brother and I have to go to the city soon anyway, and have to stockpile some food for the winter. Finish what you have to do and meet with the dean , and we set off at once. Calaton is not far, but at this time of year it is best not to enter the city alone." Pikel nodded in agreement, and they parted ways; the dwarves went downstairs to the kitchen, while Danica went to her room.The young woman learned that Ivan and Pikel missed Cadderly, too.She flicked back her golden raspberry hair, which is now slightly below her shoulders, as if the symbolic gesture would temporarily put her troubles behind her.But, like the hair that always stubbornly hangs back, Danica's fear lingers. She wanted to see Cadderly, wanted to hold him and kiss him, but at the same time she was afraid to meet him.If the young scholar rejected her again, as she had done in Simista, her whole life, and even her dedication to research, would be meaningless. ※※※ "I didn't witness much of it," Danica admitted, adjusting her position as she sat on the edge of the springy bed of Headmistress Portelope. "I was on the alert for an approaching war. I knew that Cadderly and Abereth would be very vulnerable when they summoned the trees." "But you're sure that Cadderly played an important role in the summoning?" Pertelope pressed, having asked the question about five times.Pertelope sat near Danica, fully wrapped in her usual attire. "Not just princes of elves." Danica shook her head. "I heard Cadderly chanting," she tried to explain, "but it's not just that, there is some hidden power..." She struggled for the right words, but how could she find them?What had happened in Simista—Cadderly and Abereth awakening the great oak tree—was almost miraculous to the young woman.Miracles, by definition, are inexplicable. "Cadderly told me he played a part," finally replied a frustrated Danica. "The summoning was more than that, more than reciting ancient texts. He spoke of gathering energies, of entering into a certain state of mind that brought him into the world of the trees before he awakened them and coaxed them to join us. .” Pertelope nodded slowly, digesting these words.She had no doubts about Danica's honesty, or Cadderly's mysterious, budding power. "What about the elven magician's wound?" she urged. "According to Albereth's description, the spear penetrated Tinteg's side more than a foot deep." Danica replied, "There was a lot of blood on his clothes—I saw so much— —and Aberes thought he wouldn't live long. But when I saw him, about half an hour after he was wounded, he was almost healed and able to cast spells on enemies again." "You've seen healing spells cast in the library," Pertelope said, trying to hide his excitement. "For example, when the Oghma priest broke his arm after fighting you." "It's nothing compared to the spell Cadderly cast on Tintag," Danica assured her. "According to Aberes, he's plugging the big hole in the magician's belly, and the skin is healing around his fingers!" Pertelope nodded again, and was silent for a while.There is no need to re-examine the statement from scratch.Danica's account was coherent, and Pertelope knew intuitively that she was being honest.Pertelope's hazel eyes stared at a point in the sky for a long time before refocusing on Danica. The young monk sat quietly, lost in his own thoughts.In Pertelope's eyes, a shadow appeared over Danica's shoulders. It was the figure of a small woman, trembling all over, looking around nervously.From the young monk's body, there was an unusual heat, and her breathing - which might appear regular to an ordinary person - reflected her breathing to Pertelope's wise and keen eyes. disturbed. The headmistress knew that Danica was full of enthusiasm, but also full of fear.Just thinking of Cadderly stirred up a torment that boiled in her heart. Pertelope shook her head away from the prophetic vision, stopped the distant song echoing deep in her heart, and put a hand on Danica's shoulder to comfort her. "Thank you for coming to sit with me for a while," she said sincerely. "You've been a great help to me! Cadderly too, don't doubt it." A confused look appeared on Danica's face.Pertelope hated that she had to keep the secret from someone who cared so much for Cadderly, but she knew Danica would not understand what the forces were at work in the young priest.These mysterious powers are also acting on Pertelope, and it has been almost twenty years, and even Pertelope himself is not sure whether he really understands them. The bed creaked as Danica stood up. "I have to go now," she explained, looking back at the door of the cubicle. "I can come back if you need to..." "It's not necessary anymore," the headmistress replied, showing a warm smile. "Unless you feel like you want to talk about something," she added quickly.Pertelope stared intently again, asking the song to start singing, seeking that clairvoyant, supernatural understanding.The quivering shadow was still on Danica's shoulder, but it seemed calmer now, and the monk's breathing became more regular. However, the heat is still there.It was the passionate energy emanating from the life of this woman who is no longer just a girl.The doorknob still glowed softly with Danica's heat after she left the room. Pertelope heaved a long sigh.She took off a glove that stretched down to her arm, and scratched at the sharkskin skin hidden beneath it, trying to remember when Denir had chosen her—and cursed her, she often believed it—to situation at the time. Pertelope smiled at the pessimistic thought to herself. "No, not a curse," she said aloud, her eyes raised to the ceiling, as if speaking to a higher being.In her heart she made that song stronger, the song of universal harmony that she had heard a thousand times.She heard it every time she flipped the pages of the book she had given Cadderly.She immerses herself in the song, follows its melody, and communicates with her dearest God. "So you chose Cadderly," she whispered. No answer came, but she didn't really expect one. "If it weren't for that, it would be impossible for him to perform these 'miracles' in the Elf Forest." Pertelope continued, speaking aloud to support his speculation. "I pity him and I envy him at the same time, because he's young and strong, much stronger than I am. How powerful will he become?" Again, no answer came other than the song that kept chanting in Pertelope's head. That's why the headmistress often feels like she's being cursed, because no definitive answer will ever come out.She has to find and explore by herself every time. And she knew that Cadderly would have to do the same.