Chapter 265- Meeting people from the past

Meeting people from the past

The situation in the palace hall might have been awkward considering most of the guests were old men. These were the wily fellows who represented their clans or houses. Luckily, because this coronation belonged to the princess, the officials provided suitable arrangements.

"Hetty, how are you? I can't believe you live in Frost City!"

"Hehe... Of course, my Clan summoned me back after the demon beast raids. I didn't know you would come to Frost City, Sakura. As soon as I saw your dress, I knew it could only be you girls. How long will you be staying? You have to come to visit my home."

The young lady in her late teens replied while scanning the group. She stepped forward to whisper in a low voice,

"Is your sister Dyna here?"

"No, she didn't travel with us. Only big Sis and Sue came."

Hetty breathed easily while patting her chest in relief. Her actions brought a smile to Sakura's face. Most of the young ladies who mingled together once or still studied at the Tower Academy in Limerock. Others received an invitation courtesy the Churches Union. These girls and young ladies trained under their various churches in Frost City as Healers.

"Look, there is Jane. Big Sis, did you know she is engaged to be married? See the smile on her face, I bet she is bursting to tell you...hehe"

While the younger girls found a suitable company, Mrs. Thomas mingled with the older healers and women who were fortunate to receive an invitation. Since this banquet focused on the princess, most houses chose to bring along their prized descendants to hopefully catch the eye of the young lady.

Mr. Thomas hovered on the fringes since he never expected to meet any acquaintances in this gathering. Thinking about when he might find the time to search for Doug and the others, a slight cough interrupted his mind.

"Did you think by hiding behind some little girl, you could waltz back into Frost City?"

The words came low enough for him to hear. Mr. Thomas raised his head to view the speaker. Ignoring the two wrinkled men, he focused on the face before him. Sure enough, the smile did well in masking the smirking wretch lying behind. Gazing at the oiled cheeks and smooth chin of this man up close and personal, Mr. Thomas realized he never really feared this individual. His gaze flickered to the frowning old men and smiled.

"Who said anything about hiding? I'm not you, so I haven't much experience. Hopefully, you can teach me some pointers."

"Do you think a washed-up Sersen can escape my sights? This time, Beth will be mine. I'll also make sure my brother Gofart treats your daughter in a proper manner."

Mr. Thomas listened to the vile spewing words issuing from the yet cheerful face before breaking out a smile. To any onlooker, the party appeared to be carrying on an amicable conversation. Years ago, threats from the nobility would have made him anxious enough to flee. He also would have probably skewered this fool by now. Life as a farmer, however, had mellowed him out into a patient individual.

"I see. Well, you are welcomed to try. I hope, however, you can handle the consequences. Pardon, but my lovely wife is calling. A pleasure meeting you once again."

Leaving the three of them, he strode towards Mrs. Thomas and placed a hand around her waist. With a snort, Wang Pigu stalked off. Mrs. Thomas secretly glanced at them before turning to her husband.

"I take it they have not forgotten?"

"It took all my willpower to not smash his face in. Usually, he would surround himself with his lackeys so today was a prime opportunity. His twisted mind still holds a grudge as if we caused his problems. Not only did he fail in using underhanded means to seize you, but he also nearly lost his position in the Military. If not for that old man covering his deeds, he would have faced the gallows."

Mrs. Thomas nodded while holding onto the reassuring arm of her husband. She understood well the fate she escaped from during that time. Wrinkling her brow, she whispered after a brief moment.

"Do you think they will do the same as last time? I fear the consequences since we have fallen low."

Mr. Thomas brushed a strand of hair from the worried face.

"Later, or tomorrow, I will seek out Doug. Until the boy arrives, we must stand our ground..."

***

The banquet ended well before dark so as for the princess to retire for a well-deserved rest. With the majority of guests gone, the vast hall became empty. The little pockets of social groups failed to fill its openness.

"Hetty, did you try the stirfry? We saw how crowded the table looked earlier."

"Thank you for asking, your highness. Yes, I did before the crowd gathered. Who would have expected the word to spread so quickly? I heard quite a few nobles remarking how advanced the gourmet from the Capital had become."

"Knowing you, We could imagine how hard it was to hold in your laughter. You were present in the academy when Sue cooked it for us. By the way, Hetty, there is no need for you to address us so formally. The dozen of us here were all companions from the Academy."

Sahara said while sitting on one of the chairs bunched in a circle. After having spent the entire afternoon standing and greeting her guests, she enjoyed this period of relaxation. By the command of the princess, the servants had distributed chairs and small tables for the scarce guests to use. The princess looked towards Sakura who petted the metallic bird on her lap.

"We are happy our guests looked pleased by our little entertainment. Not often to they see a bird devouring silver coins like sunflower seeds."

"He behaves rather well when he knows food is available. The gold coin you handed him at the end made his day. I think he is more than contented from eating the silver coins the curious nobles brought up."

Sakura said while stroking the feathers of Alicanto. During the lunch, Brella stood at the bottom of the steps and had the bird fly around the vast hall. Inticing willing nobles to feed it a silver coin, the guests witnessed the bird then chip away at the metal while gobbling it down. Amazed at the sight, Alicanto found himself being fed an endless stream of silver coins from the disbelieving spectators.

The girls continued their recollections at the Academy until the clacking of approaching boots invaded their circle. A young lady dressed in the bright cape of a healer bowed to the princess. When Sahara bid her stand, she rose shakily while fumbling the ends of her cape with her fingers. The brown hair seemed to match her equally brown eyes.

"This humble healer greets the royal princess."

"No need to be formal. This princess welcomes our sisters from the Churches Union of Frost City. We thank you for aiding not only our military but our people."

Sahara said. She had seen the young lady approaching from the congregation of healers sitting nearby. Although young, she understood the importance of the churches and their aid towards the citizens. The Priests of the various Churches bickering at the far end of the hall about how to extend their flock had gladly brought their promising healers. Not every day could an aspiring healer meet members of the royal family.

"Princess my sisters welcome you to Frost City and hope you enjoy your visit. My sisters and I have been captivated by your dress and jewelry. We have also enjoyed your exquisite and strange food served at the table. Some of us, however, arrived too late to partake. I beg the princess as a servant of the empire to..."

"Hehe... Rise, no need to be so formal. Lady Janet, inform the servants to bring the chairs of our Sister Healers into our little group. We are all sisters taught by the mighty Tower and Churches Union. Lady Kary, summon the Head Cook. We shall have a little feast by ourselves as young girls and women."

Sahara ordered the two maids standing at her side. As they bowed and departed to complete their tasks, she turned to the healer bowing in front of her.

"As for my dress, I am sure you may have noticed these young ladies wearing the same fashion. Lady Amanda will be happy to share any information you may have on these matters."

When the servants completed their instructions, the young healers found themselves sitting and chatting among ladies of noble status and also with the daughter of the Emperor. The majority of girls chosen to be healers came from poor households. Mentored by their elders and protected by the church, they lived a life of relative isolation.

Even when they walked on the streets, the priests or members of the church accompanied them. Their interactions with the population were limited to the congregation or those seeking healing assistance. At first, the presence of this company made them nervous and silent but soon they realized they possessed much in common.

"Do you learn about creating healing potions? How old does the Ellim Grass have to be before you reap it?"

Sally asked her new companion sitting silently next to her.

"Yes, we do make minor health potions because its relatively cheap and affordable to most. The Alchemist Guild handles the true bulk of potions. Instead of the more expensive Ellim Grass, we use budding Daff Leaves."

The young lady answered while raising a brow at the child fingering with a thinly carved bracelet embossed with glittering gems.

"Daffy leaves? The one with the purple edge or the white-bordered one? I know the one with the white border is poisonous."

"The purple edged one. Did you also go to the Academy?"

"Yes, my big brother brought me along to learn as well. We spent a little time there but I liked it. What about you? Do healers have large classes?"

Some distance away, Mr. Thomas began to understand his true worth.

"Pellam sent word to General Kettle that you arrived in Frost City. We are wondering when the Heavens Gifter might arrive?"

"When he decides to travel you and Commander Pellam will be the first to know."

Mr. Thomas replied to the white-bearded Commander sitting opposite him. In the past, even when he attained the rank of Captain, he could never see this old man. Who knew, more than a decade later, and without holding any position, this old man would have sought him out.

"General Kettle informed us when he delivered the multishot that the Heavens Gifter listens to you. If possible could you relay a few questions for us? You will be doing the military a great service."

"You don't have to rely on me, Commander. All you have to do is to send a military rider with your sealed letter and he will surely aid you."

Commander Lakebanks raised an eyebrow while generating a stiff cough.

"Mr. Thomas must be joking. Commander Kettle left ironclad instructions before he departed to the Capital. On no account must the Military seek out the Heavens Gifted. We can only seek his aid through either you or a Mr. Griz in the Capital. The Heavens Gifter reveled to the esteemed General his dream from the stars. If anyone burdens him unexpectedly, not only will the heaven release its wrath but he will also lose his gifts."

The Commander waited for Mr. Thomas to compose himself after a bout of coughing.

"This is one of the reasons why not only the Military but the Churches have kept a wide berth from the young genius. Nobody among us wants to deny the empire of its blessings."

Mr. Thomas thumped his chest while blinking back the waters in his eyes.

'Again that little bastard nearly killed me. I could have died from choking. No wonder he roamed free without much pressure...'