Master Of None

"You just had to go over and show off, huh?" Gil had to tease Walker. 

"Says the guy who went to show off the archery skills he has. I was expecting you to pull out one of the wither spike arrows to make a big show of it." It was a genuine surprise from Walker. He had thought that Gil would have been showing off a little more than he actually had. 

"Right, and who would have cleaned up the mess? Us? That's what I thought.' He knew all too well that if he made a huge mess the group would have left him to clean it up on his own. Even the blacksmiths and guild employees would have left him to it since he had caused it. 

"I guess that's fair. So, we should probably start to head to the castle. It's better to be a little early than late." Walker was saying this mostly because it was a way for Remey to overhear and prepare herself for solo babysitting for the next few hours.. 

"I think we will all just go back home and spend some time resting before we head to the square for the bonfires." The finger pointing at her siblings landed on the ones that were falling asleep. Remey was sure this would get worse and they would all be asleep by the time the festival dancing and bonfires began. 

"Well, then I will go and buy you all something to snack on while you wait for the dancing tonight." Walker made good on his promise and bought a box of the pumpkin candies for Remeys' siblings. 

"Is it really alright for me to go with you to the castle?" Walker had completely forgotten that Lisa had never been to the castle. 

"Of course it is, How else will I show off the person that made all of our costumes?" This was the best way for Walker to boost Lisas' courage while they prepared to go their separate ways.

"Will Elise and Stella be there?" Lisa had been missing them since they had gone off on their own earlier. 

"I'm not sure. But I feel like they will attend. Some supplies have already arrived but Elise is the only one representing the tamers' guild right now. She should have to come with us even if she doesn't want to." This was a sad truth that came with responsibility. Elise had to represent the guild she was part of since no one above her had appeared with the deliveries that were being made. Not to mention, Elise was still waiting on her friend who would look at the albino mole egg and bring something for the demon girl who wanted to be a tamer. 

"Good, then Elise will join you, me, and Midnight eating." Su made sure she supported Lisa a little and began to tell her what to expect while the group waved to Remey. 

The walk to the castle was a little harder than usual. The people in the streets had been rising as the morning went on and was now making it very hard to travel altogether. The guards also appeared on edge and constantly checked people who appeared suspicious. After they reached the castle gate a guard used a magic item to check if they were lying. 

"I have never seen something like that, can I ask about it?" The guard had immediately become more welcoming when he realized who Walker and the others were. 

"Of course sir hero. This is a magic mirror made with glass from the shifting desert. It has one slightly costly appraisal function. It tells me if the person reflected in the mirror is lying about their identity. We are proud to have them since it makes our duties much easier." The guard was exceptionally proud to show off how well he could do his job with the mirror. 

"That's very interesting. So glass from the shifting desert. I'll have to travel there one day." Walker followed the others inside after Lisa tugged on his arm. They were not the only ones entering and if they stayed in one place they would hold everything up too much. 

The main door to the castle looked as it had before, however, this was the only same thing. The rest of the hallway had been intricately decorated to mirror the harvest season. Bright reds and oranges took over the group's sights while they walked. Luxurious fabrics that draped down the walls made the room feel as if one were walking through a war, forest of harvest colors. 

The myriad of seasonal vegetables and herbs displayed made the smell in the halls and the main hall seem more open and free. The main hall itself was much more grand. Some of the tables were adorned with the same seasonal harvest food that they group had already seen. However, there was much more to it. They were made with a much higher quality and care. There was sugar spun to look like spider webs and caved vegetables to match the harvest season flowers.

"Brother, we need to go look at something." Lisa was not next to Walker for a while. Instead, she was pulled away by Su and Midnight toward the food tables. Onyx didn't argue and followed Midnight, Walker began to realize he was a little more gluttonous than he had been now that he shared food with Midnight so often. 

"Well, I knew the girls would ditch us but I feel a little miffed anyways." The reaction Gil had was the same that Walker was feeling. 

"I guess we will just need to go and bother Elise since she already made it here." Walker pointed out a pair of white wings stuck to someone's back, "I am pretty sure that is one of the two angels we are looking for today." The pair made their moves toward Elise while the others ate. The hall was moderately full of guests but not enough t stifle them. It was a party and the atmosphere showed it. Yet, for some reason, Walker could feel a little tension. 

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