Master Of None

The table was much more lively than usual, the old man was picking Jane's brain for all the knowledge on the new plants they were growing. The details she had were better than any book Walker had read. With her skills she was able to take away growth rates and nutrients needed for each sprout she saw, it was the farmers version of an appraisal skill. With every small detail learned it was almost compared to an earth shaking presentation for the old man. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that he would be spending a very large portion of his time at the mansion, and more specifically in the garden. With the way Jane acted it would seem she had found herself a new friend. The two would be the perfect gardening duo. 

When Gil's father chimed in about bringing natural herbs for the forest he was bombarded by the demands of the two. He had stepped in to a dangerous trap of fulfilling their orders. He almost wished he had taken the opportunity to run away and hide before they realized he would go there to hunt and gather.

Hilda and Garret had become intertwined in the conversation with the high priest and Su's parents. Since Su's mother had seen so many different healers she was well acquainted with the church and some of their more adventurous healers. The high priest took advantage of this and asked for every detail from the past so he could evaluate their growth since they last saw their patient. He was dead set on making sure that those wandering healers that rarely returned to the church for reports or training were still doing their best. He was much more overprotective than they had expected. 

"Since they are going to be talking all night do you want the grand tour?" Alice was all smiles when she heard that Walker was willing to give her a tour. She had only really been in the cathedral and a few other nobles' houses due to healing. She had never really been a guest somewhere. 

"Then let's get on our way." Gil made kissing faces at Walker which made Su accidentally elbow him. Walker gave Su a smile knowing that he owed her one. 

Walker's main destination was the library since it was the most impressive room to him in the mansion. He could not wait for the garden to take root and become the wondrous walking path that he could show off as well. He decided that the forge and alchemist lab were not worth the trip either. Alice had never shown interest that he knew of in either, although it may be something cool to show her when the old man had his way with their lab. He did not add the training field in to the tour either, mostly because it was not much to see at night and he was afraid that they may accidentally disturb the growing spirit lotus.

"This is our library, it took some time to organize it but there are enough books to keep someone busy for a lifetime!" Walker held out his arms wide as he entered the door first. The scene was astounding to the average person who would rarely see many books in one place let alone enough to make up a library. Alice approached the first shelf she saw and started her search through things. "You know, I am the one who organized it so if you want something on history, light elemental mana, monster, forging, anything you just need to ask." Walker wanted to get her to say something too, her voice was so rare that he had started to yearn for it. 

Alice just gave him a look and kept on looking through the shelf she was on. With some small effort she was looking through each and every single title to see what they were about. Traveled from shelf to shelf eventually figuring out the organization of their books and was soon on the second floor checking through the books on the arts. She was taking a stack of five books all on the art of singing and performing. "Ah I should have guessed you would be after those." Walker spoke this out loud, she was a songstress after all and it was part of her system to sing. She would obviously want to learn more about singing. These books that she had not seen before would make her develop new ideas for songs and even new techniques. 

Walker found a book on the uses of water magic in healing. He decided that since he was going in to a forest he may as well start to develop his water magic, the fact that it could heal and also attack would widen his variety of useful skills for all situations. He also would have some time between helping in the forge so he wanted to make the best of his time. This would be an ideal prelude to his next challenge which would be tio learn to use a war hammer in battle. 

The two sat down on one of the couches that were in the library for reading, there was not much light so walker used the yellow light orb to give them a soft glow to read in. The two became absorbed in their books soon falling asleep where they sat. Not a single person came to disturb them.

Walker woke up to a heavy feeling on his shoulder, the sun had started to push through the window as it rose illuminating the library in all its glory. Walker tried to move his arm to wipe the sleep from his eyes but found it to be trapped. He looked down finding that a sleeping Alice was snoring ever so slightly while on top of his arm and shoulder. The two had fallen asleep reading, Walker was frozen. He had never been in such a situation and was completely unable to move for fear he would wake Alice up. 

He sat there completely frozen but captivated by the light coming through the window and resting on Alice's face. He swore that there was not a more beautiful sight in the world. The sun rose slowly but soon reached Alice's eyes causing her to stir. She moved trying to get away from it but realized something was off about where she lay. She opened her eyes and found Walker smiling like a fool looking at her where she lay; on his shoulder. 

She pushed up embarrassed of where she was and how she had slept, "emm good morning…" Walker had nothing else to say to break through the awkward morning. Alice lightly tapped his arm in response to this. She was redder than a tomato. The two eventually roused themselves and started their way to the dining hall for breakfast. 

"Hey look the two bookworms finally got out of the library! Did you manage to read every book there in one night?" Gil was the first to see them enter the dining hall. The high priest sat with Hilda drinking tea and chatting about food. 

"Walker, I was just talking with the high priest on some possible baked goods I could send over to the cathedral to help those with upset stomachs after they are healed. I will have you take them back tomorrow for them." This was the first on a list of chores that were already starting. 

Walker did not see this as a bad thing though, it would be a good excuse to help out and heal a few people. Plus he was sure that Su would want to go as well, she had made a few friends while there the last time. "If you want to bring the books you didn't finish reading with you I don't mind. You will make more use of them than if they would be when sitting here." Alice nodded very happy with this proposal. She had fallen asleep halfway through her first book and still wanted to read the others she had taken for the shelves. 

"Should I take it they had some interesting books on singing?" The high priest knew his adoptive daughter well. She had long memorized every single book of song in the entire cathedral and always hunger for more. Since she was at risk of using up her mana if she talked all the time she spent more time reading and even writing her own songs. The fact that she could not speak freely was a blessing in this way, she had branched out in to many more creative outlets than a child normally would. 

Alice was nodding her head so much so that Walker wondered if it was properly attached. "Well then you are welcome to visit any time, even if this one is off on some adventure." Hilda smiled a bit knowing that she could get the girl alone and learn some more about her. She would be blind to miss the fact that Walker was treating her differently than others. 

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