I beam at the bite marks on my body as I take a shower in Melody’s bathroom. She’d already left for work, but she told me that I could stay as long as I wanted. Which I teased her for being a rampant lesbian for. I love it of course, but seeing her blush is also nice to see. She might be Bi for all I know, we’ve never talked about each other’s sexuality, just that we’re into each other. After that, I don’t suppose it matters, but it seems silly to tease her about something that’s not truly her.

  When I get out of the shower, I wonder what I’m going to do all day. All of my projects are volatile and inappropriate for a nice home such as this. I don’t have tools, I don’t have fire, and more importantly, I don’t have any extra materials staged.

  I could make some meals, and I saw a chill box that was woefully under powered for long-term storage. That I can fix.

  I prep and play with the ingredients I found in the Grotto, learning that Reef Rye is the grass that we love pickled, it has a minor energizing effect, and a mild endurance buff the way I prepared it.

  The river rutabagas have no extra properties alone, but using their skins as a tea has a mild invigorating effect like caffeine. I should infuse these in my garden if I can’t find coffee. The earthy spiciness appeals to me in a squirmy wake-up way.

  I absently spend the day playing with food and learning properties of the plants and fungi that I found and before I know it, Melody wraps her arms around me again.

  “This doesn’t look like dinner, lover.”

  “Melody! Oh no, it’s not. I’ve been discovering the plants I found in a more home-remedy path than an alchemy path. It’s been interesting in ways I never expected.”

  Melody chuckles. “Mundane uses are no less important. It’s good to see you working on a breadth of knowledge.” She kisses me and pats my bottom.

  I bounce at the appreciation. “Do you want me to start dinner? Or do you want to go out?”

  “How much of that pickled grass do you have?” Oh yeah, got her hooked on my cooking. You get it Zhan. Oh yeah. I dance a little in my brain.

  “I prepped a few containers that should last you a month, but I suppose we could use those before I capital ‘T’ travel.”

  “You prepped me meals?” Melody stills, her face blanks. Did I mess up? I don’t see how, but maybe it’s a trigger she hasn’t dealt with.

  “Well yeah. You were really happy with my grotto finds, and I wanted you to have them. I won’t be able to . . .” She pulls me into a fierce hug and I can barely breathe, but it feels nice otherwise. I hold her back and when she starts crying into me, I pretend it’s not surprising.

  “I promise I won’t get mad the next time you make meat in my yard.”

  “Melody no, I can respect your boundaries.” I counter.

  “And I can be more respectful of your needs. You told me you need meat to not rage, and I’ve been ignoring it.”

  Yeeaaaahh, maybe I should just let her own that one. It is true. It will happen eventually if I don’t feed appropriately.

  “I appreciate that. I was worried about living with you because of it.”

  She nods. “Just please don’t serve it to me unless we’re in the woods or something and there’s no other option?”

  I chuckle and kiss her ear, knowing the trouble I’m buying. “I can do that, lover.”

  Her knees weaken and I hold her tight, smiling at my affect on her.

  “You’re shameful, and hells, I don’t care.”

  The Elf mugs me with her lips.

  ***

  “Alright, so Tanner wasn’t messing around. The barn is a house, he built a small stable for four horses and a shed for your discoveries.” Melody surveys the new construction.

  “That family sure is industrious. Are the ranchers still having an issue?” I ask as I peek my head into the newly renovated barn, and holy cow is it different.

  The lane in leading into the horse stalls is now a living room and a kitchen, small though they be, where the stalls seem to have been paired for bedrooms, three on the left and two on the right with room for a staircase. My curiosity tries to take my upstairs, but as per my agreement with Tanner, this is their house. They’re fixing up the old farmhouse now for Tanner and his fiancée and apparently they want to have the wedding on the farm as well.

  “If by issues, you mean money, then yes. Labor is not a problem, material is.” She pauses, knowing that I want to fund it, so that these people have some place to start the lives they want, because I have the resources to help them.

  “Why can’t they do something like this near Marcrest, they’re plenty of land around town.”

  Melody smiles and shakes her head. “I’m surprised it took you this long to ask. Essentially, it’s the same problem we have here, plus bureaucracy aesthetics. There are some tents and lean-tos at the edge of the woods, but safety is a bit of an issue.”

  The part she isn’t saying is that no one in government wants those tents or shacks against the town wall.

  Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

  At some point I’ll be able to afford to just take care of it, but the deals that were broken or brokered by the Guild are slow to come back—save the man buying platinum, he seems persistent. Melody’s assured me that in time she can find a market for my goods, but after the first set of bounties we filled, the Guildmaster hasn’t issued any more.

  “Blarg. Is it selfish to save enough for my personal development, while I could be helping families out?” I know the answer is yes.

  “Instead of asking that, because we are all selfish in some way, ask yourself if developing yourself will allow you to aid more people? Or to better benefit those that you currently help?”

  I sigh, “Yes. Getting better at alchemy for certain.”

  Before I can read anything but a knowing smile from Melody, Tanner jogs up to the barn.

  “Lady Frost, there’s a rider at the farmhouse to see you.”

  “They asked for me by name?”

  He nods, “Your first name, my Lady.”

  I look back toward Melody and shrug. She motions for me to follow him, so I do.

  We round the edge of the house to see a woman in a dark green cloak standing next to a chestnut horse. I see the woman smile before pulling back her hood.

  “Maude?!” I rush over and hug the older woman who chuckles and hugs me back. “You’re back? Are you back for good? Did you finish your pilgrimage? What places did you visit?” She pats me on the shoulder to interrupt my thoughts.

  “It’s good to see you to. Perhaps we can impose on this young man’s hospitality for a place to sit while we talk?”

  “Yes! Of course. Come inside.”

  The couch has been removed from the small living space and he leads us to the kitchen table. Maude places a hand on his arm and thanks him.

  “I have finished what I set out to accomplish, but whether I stay is up to several factors. But before we discuss any of that, the Duke bade me give you a letter.”

  She takes a folded page with a wax seal on the seam and a pretty bit of ribbon in black and gold.

  “The Duke? Maude, how do you know . . .” She swats the letter against my forehead and then offers me it again.

  Melody chuckles behind me, but Tanner looks horrified.

  “Fine,” I grumble, taking the letter.

  Zhantsa of the Sky Trolls,

  As Duke of this region and the wild Southern March, I have received a message that you have claimed land and have Imperial subjects that are living on your land. To complicate matters, Skyreach has been sending funds for your care for over a year, and now that you have proven ‘capable of sustaining yourself, they are requesting a meeting to discuss the diplomacy surrounding your achievement.

  Arranging a meeting within the next three months would be preferable for both myself and Skyreach. The bearer of this letter has means of contacting me to reach a timeframe suitable by all three parties.

  Well wishes, and Glory to the Empire;

  Duke Barnaby Rivayne

  “That is straightforward. How long does it take to get to the ducal seat?”

  “The city is called Rivayne, dear, after the Duke’s lineage. It takes a bit more than a week in a coach, about a week on horseback.”

  “That means most of the next month I’m here will be traveling. Fun fun.” I hold my head in my hands, trying to figure out how to get through this gaming season and how to live a productive life here at the same time. I guess I should try the quick turnaround of logging in afterwork in ATC and trying only to be gone half day at a time.

  “What do you mean, your time here? Are you going somewhere else, Zhantsa?”

  I look up and see the confusion in her eyes, she’s not trying to pull something from me, she’s just lost.

  “Tanner, this doesn’t leave the room. And if you can’t keep secrets, then leave the room.”

  “I am trustworthy, my Lady.” I nod at that and turn back to Maude.

  “I’m a Traveler from a separate reality.”

  Offense, a little fear, then calculation crosses her features. “I suppose that explains why your life has moved so quickly since you woke from your coma.” I nod, “Is it also why you were able to recover from Rage without training?”

  “I suspect so, yes. I imagine that Travelers have an innate resistance to mind control-like effects. I personally have other benefits, but that’s not relevant right now.”

  “Can’t say that I was expecting that dear, or for you to be a landowner when I returned.” She shakes her head and smiles. “Leeda is right cross with you though.”

  I groan, “I know. She accused me of disrespecting you and spitting on your efforts. I didn’t take that very well. She also would not let go of the fact that I associate with Guild members.”

  Maude smiles and nods with understanding, “I am not happy with the organization myself, but I don’t look poorly on people like Melody that use the Guild to their own aims while helping who they can. Are you with the Guild, dear?”

  I shake my head, “A bureaucrat came by to force a deal down my throat and I walked out. Then I got kicked out. That was a month ago. Back to you, how does a healer in a backwater town have the contact ID for a Duke?”

  “A story for another time. When abouts do you think you will be back from your travels?”

  I grumble as she plays a reverse card on our conversation after I tried to do the same. “Six weeks? Then time to get ready and head to Rivayne?”

  She gestures for me to wait a moment. I look up at Melody.

  “This is a big deal, Zhantsa. There are some items we can move forward if you are visiting the ducal seat. Registrations for your business, perhaps getting a license to sell your more restricted items.” She whispers to me. This woman’s brain is always working—I’m lucky to have her.

  “It seems that two months works with the Duke’s schedule. There will be much to do before then. Do Guiseppe and Jameth have your measurements?”

  Nooo, money I could be using to build stuff. However, new clothes! “They do, but no big poofy dresses.”

  Maude chuckles, “He will love that as your only restriction. Does Melody have access to your funds?”

  “We have some deals pending that will pay out before then. I typically use that to pay for whatever project we’re working on.” Melody answers

  “That’s my business taken care of.” Maude stands and straightens her dress. “Contact me as soon as you return?” I nod. Maude returns the gesture and Tanner follows her out the door.

  Minutes pass before I move and leave through the kitchen door, Melody on my heels as I put some distance between me and that conversation. I huff with a sigh, stop, groan at the sky and turn to hug my Elf.

  “I’m worried about why the Sky Trolls are so interested in me, how they knew I was out here before I came out of my coma.” Truth is, I’m worried that the body I currently inhabit was a part of the world before I came to. Alaris for sure knows, but I doubt she’ll chime in.

  I wait. She doesn’t respond.

  “It will be a political quagmire as well, but there’s no use fretting before you find out what both parties are interested in.” She slides her arm up my back and rubs her fingers up and down the back of my head. I sigh and lean into her as the gesture relaxes me.

  “I know people would kill for an audience with someone that important, but a part of me just wants to cuddle and work on crafting.”

  “And the other part of you invites chaos with every breath.”

  I chuckle, she’s not wrong. So far it’s been fortunate chaos, but I can’t always count on that being the case. The last thing I want is for my luck to turn on me.