“Yes, ten minutes would be fine.” She said as she gathered herself and made her way to the stairs. She felt the innkeeper’s eyes on her the entire way to the top.
The room at the Suckling Pig was as nice as the rest of the inn. Well, maintained and clean, the room consisted of a washbasin, a good-sized bed. A small table with two chairs, two lanterns for light, and a chest of drawers with a large mirror on the wall behind it. She sat on the bed and found it to be comfortable. She laid back on it and started to drift off until her stomach growled. She was more hungry than she thought. The fish meal did not stick with her long, it seemed. A knock at the door and Thessa let in Sienna with a tray of food. Once the woman was gone, Thessa dug into the roast chicken and potatoes, tossing Sarren a scrap of meat here and there. Before long, another knock at the door brought a new set of clothes. Thessa was dumbfounded at how the innkeeper knew her size, but assumed it was due to his expertise at guessing what his patrons wanted. Thessa donned a soft robe and let the girl who brought her new clothes take the old clothes for laundering.
The clothes were a bit odd. The black dress was made of a solid fabric, but it still felt silky. The dress also had thin bands of fabric for the arms and legs. She has seen the style in the city before, and she felt it left little to cover the midsection. The top was a metallic, leafy fabric, which unnaturally conformed to any way you molded it. She put the odd clothing aside. She would have to deal with it later. She was not about to wear something like that out in public.
She prepared for bed by brushing her hair with the brush provided by the inn. She paused at the mirror for a long moment to gaze into her gaunt face. She did look malnourished.
Chapter 7: Clever Secrets
The Green Mage, Teoni, poured over the book she had stolen from the Arsenal of the Way. Surrounding her were her beloved plants. Vines of green and gold snaked up into the corners of her bedchamber. The ceiling opened up to let the sunshine in and provide light for both her plants and her reading endeavors. Other, more dangerous, plants writhed in the corner and there were even smaller plants lurking in the corners on shelves.
Teoni was engrossed in her reading when one of the vines reached down from above the window to touch her shoulder. She started upright and caressed the vine, “What do you sense out there?” She crossed the room to peer out the window. Although the path was well lit, it was still difficult to see through the thick plant life. She raised her hands and commanded the plants to give her a clear view of the pathway to her abode. She flinched when she saw the darkened figure of a man or woman hidden in the shade behind one of her bushes. She blinked, and the shadow was gone.
She whispered to the vine closest to her, “Better prepare for the worst. I think we have a visitor.” The plant made a low humming noise. “I know the Blue Mage isn’t afraid of the light. What are you saying?” The plant hummed again. “Ah, the creature stays in the shadows. Well, that is good news. It must be bringing word from the Black Mage, then.” The plant hummed again. “No, it doesn’t matter. The Black Mage and her minions always exude darkness and danger. It’s common. Don’t worry about it. I know she is traditionally our enemy.” The vine’s humming intensified. “All right, if it makes you feel better, go ahead with the precautions.” The vine rippled back. Teoni craned her head to see the position of the sun. “There are still about six hours of sunlight left. As long as we have the sun, we have power.” She looked at her lunar calendar, “And the moon is full tonight. The lunar plants are at their zenith too. We are perfectly fine.” The vines recoiled back into their position on the window seal.
Teoni went back to her book. She felt the pang of regret at her betrayal of her sister Marlee. She reread the passage where it stated Marlee would take her place as the Tourney Master apprentice while she took over the mantle of the Green Mage. “I hope this passage is correct. I must find a way to see if Marlee is indeed Ephaltus’s apprentice.” She said. She gazed at one of her golden vines as it twisted to get a better position under the sunlight. “I just don’t have the courage to confront either of them yet. Of course, I’m sure Marlee is watching me through the Ocularius Magnus.” She closed the book. “Do you suppose one of your plants can find a way into the arena and find out if she is the apprentice for me?” The plants hummed. “Yes, I don’t know why I didn’t ask before. Thank you, my friends!” She sat back in her chair, somewhat relieved. “I suppose we can have the midday meal.” She said.
The plants brought in fruits and berries from the outside into the room. Teoni fed insects and small rodents to the flesh-eating plants still writhing in the corner before she sat down to partake of the bounty the plants had given her. “Thank you, my friends, for the abundance you give me. We feast upon the flesh of plants and the fruits of our labor to make us strong.” She began to eat.
After the midday meal, she
