The Heavenly Host

Trisfelt raised an eyebrow and smiled. “What a happy coincidence. By sheer chance, I am sure, they happen to have the best wine cellar in the city, outside of a few private cellars in the palace.”

“Do they?” Hilda overtly pretended to be ignorant of this fact. Trisfelt chuckled.

“My dear, your palate can no longer surprise me! I am sure you knew this full well when you checked in. Indeed, I am wondering exactly how upset you are by the delays to your reconstruction?”

“Dear Trisfelt, I assure you it is a horrible inconvenience, and I have no choice but to console myself from the inn’s cellar each evening!” Hilda gave him look of feigned inconvenience, and they both laughed.

“I would be honored, My Lady.” Trisfelt told her.

“Excellent. Shall I see you around the same time as last night’s dinner?”

Trisfelt nodded. “That is an excellent time.”

“Splendid!” Hilda smiled and then got a slightly surprised look on her face, as if she suddenly remembered something. “You know, Danyel was with the servants last night and they were all talking about the balling of the fight outside. He was told that it was quite spectacular. You don’t by any chance have an idea of where a copy might be had? I myself have heard so much, but not actually seen it.”

“Yes, yes, you should see it, it’s remarkable. I saw it later, after the Council, because I was outside, as you know. Apparently, there are numerous shoddy mirrorings of the event around; but you must see the balling. The Council has made copies for all the councilors; Lenamare and Jehenna each have a copy. I am sure I can borrow one of theirs; particularly when I tell them that it’s for you to see.”

“Oh you are such a dear, and I’m sure Danyel will be as grateful as I!” Hilda exclaimed.

∼

“Well, hello there!” A voice called to Tom as he was walking past one of the shanties. He turned to look towards the open-faced shanty to see Sam lying on a padded table getting a massage from a rather large, homely demoness.

“Hey, Sam!” Tom replied, walking over to the table.

“Yesterday was quite the workout, so I thought I’d come by here and get a massage. My muscles are killing me. The problem with this form is that I have it memorized at a certain point in time, and that somehow never includes having muscles that are used to mountain climbing. You would think I could manage to memorize the form after climbing rather than before.” He shook his head. “Of course, if I did that, then I wouldn’t feel the need for a message from my favorite masseuse, Helgadavichanova here.” He nodded his head back towards the masseuse.

“Nice!” Tom grinned. “Looks relaxing. Do you come here often?”

“Mainly for the massages, although sometimes after a cold day skiing, it’s nice to relax in the lava,” Sam said.

“Did you bring your company here for some fun?” Sam asked.

“Yeah, we were feeling a bit cooped up, so thought we’d come and stretch a little, relax,” Tom said.

“Excellent idea — this place is great for that,” Sam said.

“Well, I better let you get back to your massage. It’s not very relaxing if you have to twist your neck to talk to me.” Tom laughed.

Sam laughed as well. “Very true. As great as it is to see you again, you are correct. Take care!”

“You too!” Tom said as he strolled off. Despite what Tizzy had said, Tom rather liked Sam. He was the most normal person Tom had met in the Abyss. And that included Talarius, whom he had brought to the Abyss with him. He shook his head. Finally, a normal person!

∼

Gastropé was enjoying iced tea in the starboard lounge and watching the clouds go by below them at the launch reception. Jenn, Maelen, Elrose, Trevin were there, as was Second Mate Trefalger and several crew members he had been introduced to but frankly could not remember the names of.

They had just passed over the outer rim of the Grove’s mountain ranges and the sky above and to some extent below was iridescent with various bands and streaks of color. Trefalger had explained that the streaks were auroras caused by the intersection of various planes with the Grove.

Elrose and Maelen were both standing near the room’s viewing lens, practically pressed up against it, watching every sight go by. Gastropé would probably have been there too, but he wanted to try to seem a bit more cosmopolitan. It was difficult, however; this was the closest he had ever been to interdimensional travel.

Well, except for his multiple trips to the Abyss. Okay, he supposed that more than counted. While there were numerous powerful wizards and Sidhe that travelled the Planes of Man to the localverse and beyond, very few ever travelled to the Abyss. At least not travelled and returned. That was something he and Jenn had on everyone else onboard the Nimbus — well, except for Maelen, who had done it once.