Chapter 205: Departing High Fen City (Part One)
Whether Jacques intended to woo Ashlynn or had some other intention in mind, it was impossible for anyone to say. His behavior was odd, but even among the Eldritch, different clans and nations had their own ways and rituals. While some interpretations of his actions felt more likely than others, in the end, it was impossible to be certain.
By the time night fell, the horses and carriages had been prepared, everyone had gathered in the courtyard, waiting only for Nyrielle and Zedya to emerge before the caravan of carts and carriages set off again.
Lady Erna hadn’t been stingy when directing her staff to help with the preparations. The carts had been filled almost to bursting with sacks of flour, barrels of pork, beef and even pickled fish when she found out that Ashlynn had a taste for the briney delicacy.
Beyond that, she seemed to be concerned that her teacher wasn’t traveling in sufficient comfort. Two additional wagons were joining them, and unlike the practical goods carried by the carts from the Vale of Mists, these had been loaded with a large, luxurious tent and enough silk carpets, goose down pillows and soft satin blankets to cover the interior of the tent.
Ashlynn didn’t have the heart to explain that they intended to move rapidly and likely wouldn’t set up the tent more than once on the trip. A High Lady’s good intentions weren’t to be refused after all. Besides, when Ashlynn took a peak in the second wagon, she found that it held a wooden soaking tub along with an assortment of pleasantly scented soaps and lotions.
Perhaps, she thought, she could convince Nyrielle to pause for a few hours on one or two nights. Surely her lover would appreciate the opportunity to snuggle when they had both had a chance to wash the dust and grime of travel from their bodies, wouldn’t she?
"Your visit was very brief," High Lady Erna said to Ashlynn as they awaited Nyrielle. "The next time you pass through, perhaps you can stay longer. Maybe even share a bit of my teacher’s time with her poor neglected student?" she teased.
"High Lady," Ashlynn said, bowing slightly. "It wasn’t my intention to monopolize MIstress Nyrielle, but her intention to monopolize me. Your High Fen City has too many amazing sights to see in so little time. Perhaps, if you wish to spend more time with her, you could visit us in the Vale of Mists instead?"
"Ha ha, no," Erna said bluntly after a short laugh. "If the Vale of Mists once again becomes the domain of a High Lady, it might be possible to visit without causing misunderstandings. As is, leaving this place, crossing the High Pass and entering the Vale, even if it was a harmless visit, would create too many misunderstandings."
"I understand," Ashlynn said. Undoubtedly, there were people in the High Pass who would see High Lady Erna’s visit to the Vale of Mists as a precursor to expansion. A close alliance between the High Fen and the Vale of Mists would put Lord Ritchel in an awkward position. Even if High Lady Erna expressed no such intentions, other people in the High Fen and the High Pass would believe more in what she did than in what she said.