Chapter 712: Tea for Three
Late autumn rains settled over the Vale of Mists, filling the air with the soft pattering sound of raindrops falling on broad leaves and the sound of water spilling from gutters into catchment pools below.
In the garden where Ashlynn once enjoyed her first, tentative evenings with Nyrielle, the Mother of Trees sat under a gazebo that felt almost as ancient as the rest of the fortress. In the spring, the trumpet vines climbing the gazebo’s weathered posts would bloom with a dazzling array of colors and hummingbirds would dance through the air as they feasted on the flowers’ sweet nectar.
Now, however, the entire garden felt like it had gone to sleep for the winter, and only the gazebo itself seemed to hold any signs of life. A metal firepit stood in the center of the gazebo, filled with cedar logs that crackled merrily while brilliant yellow and orange flames danced to keep away the damp chill in the air.
"Not many people would choose to entertain guests outdoors this time of year," Isabell said in teasing tones as she followed Heila out into the garden. Beside her, Master Tiernan pulled his fur-trimmed cloak closer against the cold and splashing of the wind but the stoic ironmonger refused to admit any kind of discomfort at the weather.
"The gardens are a sort of ’neutral ground,’ Ashlynn said as she stood to receive her guests. "My tower belongs to my coven. The great hall is far too formal, and the places that are most appropriate to receive close friends are deep underground where no daylight can intrude..."
"We’ve already stepped this far into dem-er, Eldritch territory," Tiernan said, stumbling slightly over the unfamiliar word. As soon as he reached the shelter of the gazebo, he pulled one of surprisingly heavy iron chairs closer to the fire pit before easing his weight onto the delicate looking chair.
Once he was sitting, however, he realized that despite the delicate looking spirals of twisted iron that formed the chair, it was incredibly sturdy, even for someone of his weight and size. But then, considering the size of the bearish fellows he’d seen walking about, perhaps it was to be expected that a person like him, usually one of the largest and physically strongest men in any gathering, would still be on the small side compared to some of their hosts.
"It seems silly to fret over being in the garden or the tower or underground when we’re already behind the fortress walls," Tiernan said, holding his hands out to feel the warmth of the fire on them. "Besides, you shouldn’t have to act like we’re strangers when we’re old friends," he added, giving Ashlynn a careful, evaluating look in an attempt to determine if she really was still an old friend now that they had entered the ancient fortress, or if she had been putting on a performance for them in the carriage last night.
"We still appreciate the thoughtfulness," Isabell said, poking the burly guild master lightly in the ribs as she took her own seat only to frown a moment later when she realized that there were only three chairs waiting under the gazebo.