Summoner 16, page 8
“Yes, and children,” Nia added with a giggle.
Maelor huffed, and his face turned beet red. “I’ve about had enough crazy talk. Gryff ain’t about to have little ones, no way, no how. He’s not the type.”
“Well.” I shrugged and raked a hand through my hair. “Things change.”
“You sure yer feeling alright?” Maelor questioned with narrowed eyes. “Come here, let me feel your forehead. Ye might be feverish and talking nonsense.”
“He is fit as a fiddle,” Arwyn exclaimed with a slightly defensive air. “Trust me, Gryff’s health is not a concern.”
“I suppose you would know best,” Maelor relented with a reluctant grumble. “Just don’t make no sense. Married. Kids. House hunting… ”
“Don’t think about it too much,” I advised.
“Yeah, yeah,” Maelor muttered, and he waved his hand dismissively before he took a long swig from his mug.
Freya eyed him closely, then mirrored his motion to chug her own ale. Braden grinned and raced to keep pace, and a moment later, everyone was competing to see who could finish their drink the fastest.
I tapped my mug down onto the table a moment after Freya, and at the same time, Maelor slammed his own cup down and took a deep gulp of air.
“Bartender!” The old man waved his empty cup in the air. “Where’s the ale?”
I laughed out loud when a portly man squeezed through the crowded room with several pitchers an instant later.
Maelor was a talented summoner, all right.
After a couple more drinks, and a lot of laughter, Gawain tapped a spoon against his metal mug and cleared his throat.
“I propose a toast,” the fire mage announced with flourish. “To Gryff and Varleth, may you always find a way to come back from the dead. I’m glad you both are back.”
“Hear, hear,” Cyra agreed, and she lifted her mug up into the air.
Calls of encouragement and words of joy echoed around the small tavern, and we all clinked out metal mugs together before we drank deeply of the intoxicating liquid.
I burped loudly when I’d finished my drink, and Cyra mimicked the noise with her own loud belch.
I grinned in anticipation of the next round of competition, but then Gawain cleared his throat again and gave me a pointed look.
“So, Gryff,” the fire mage said in a casual tone, “who is going to be your best man at yours and Nia’s wedding?”
Suddenly everyone went quiet, and all their eyes locked onto my face.
I was not prepared for that question, and I swallowed hard.
I had to decide that now, with all my closest friends watching?
Maker, give me strength.
Chapter Five
“Uh…” I blinked at Gawain for a long moment. “Do I have to pick?”
“Yes!” Gawain insisted with an expression of total shock. “Otherwise, Nia’s bridesmaids will walk down the aisle alone!”
“I think he means right now,” Varleth commented with a sideways smile. “Besides, it’s pretty obvious it would be me.”
“Yer sure about that?” Maelor chuckled. “I don’t care how much Gryff likes you, I’ve known him longer than any of y’all, so I’m gonna be his best man.”
“No offense, Maelor,” Braden interjected with a surprisingly serious tone “but the best man is generally chosen from among the groom’s best friends. Father of the groom is something else entirely.”
“I’m gonna be in Gryff’s weddin’,” Maelor insisted firmly.
My eyes flicked from man to man with anxious motions. I could sense the hurt feelings looming, but I didn’t know what to say.
“Gentlemen,” Arwyn interrupted loudly, “this is Gryff’s decision, and no one else’s.”
Everyone turned to look at me expectantly, and I swallowed again.
“Thanks,” I mumbled, but when my friends continued to give me pointed looks, I scratched at the tattoo on my neck self-consciously. “To be honest, I don’t know much about fancy Enclave weddings. I didn’t even know I needed to pick a best man.”
Nia let out a small sigh, and my ashen-haired fiancée gave me a sympathetic smile. “Don’t worry, Gryff, I will help guide you through it.”
“It will just take some time,” Arwyn assured me with warmth in her amber eyes.
“Exactly,” I agreed, and I seized the opening she provided me. “I just need some time to think it over, and then I’ll let you guys know.”
I gave my friends my best smile, but the disappointment on Gawain’s face was obvious. I hadn’t realized how much the fire mage valued our friendship, but he was apparently hoping to be my best man. Varleth also appeared less than pleased about having to wait for my decision, and I shook my head in disbelief.
Two of the men who’d had the coldest reactions to me when I first arrived at the Academy were now among my closest friends, and they were both vying for the role of my best man.
Then there was my large, kind, big hearted roommate who I’d shared many late-night confessions and honest conversations with. Braden was my first friend upon arriving at the school, and while everyone else treated me as less than, the ox-like summoner had extended the hand of friendship without judgement.
Maelor was a whole other thing. He’d raised me ever since I was a young boy. My parents had died in a monster attack, or so I’d always thought, but the old man had taken care of me ever since. I wouldn’t be the man I was without his influence, and for most of my life, he was my entire family.
I could only pick one to be my best man, though, and my stomach tightened from the pressure.
I had a lot to think about.
“Stop brooding and drink!” Layla commanded loudly as she shoved a fresh mug into my hands.
I gave my adorable lover a grateful grin, and then I took a long swig of my drink. It tasted so delicious, and the heady buzz I already had increased as I drank heavily.
My friends all cheered and whooped, and then everyone started to pass around the pitcher and down their own beverages until we were all laughing, red faced, and drunk.
The rest of the night passed in a blur as we celebrated our reunion and all the changes in our lives since we’d last been together. Layla announced the next round of cheers, and then everyone took a turn declaring a toast. My guy friends continued to press their cases to be my best man, but I managed to laugh most of it off. Freya started to relax the more the alcohol warmed her blood, and after a while, she was giggling drunkenly while Layla made impressions of Varleth, Gawain, and me.
Cyra insisted I tell everyone the story of when I used Phi’s illusion magic during our search for the banisher, and while everyone else cackled merrily, Varleth seemed less than entertained by the tale. When I got to the part about the old snow-leopard man recognizing the surly gypsy’s barking laugh, though, my friend’s lips twitched up into a smile.
“There are worse things to be remembered by,” he commented dryly when the story was over.
Arwyn and Nia described Eyrie Island to Ashla while the ice mage listened with wide eyes. Erin attempted to question Freya about flying as a bird in comparison to an airship, and my shapeshifting wife wore a frown of concentration as she tried to understand the pilot’s words.
Layla and Cyra were in a continuous belching competition, and the sounds of their varied attempts created an interesting soundtrack to the scattered conversations.
Braden’s face was red as he squeezed Orenn in a side hug, and the two men chatted about their experiences protecting their banishers.
Varleth and Gawain kept up a constant stream of insults and debates between them, but their air of comradery made the scathing remarks more funny than cold.
Meanwhile, Mati had trapped Maelor with an endless barrage of random thoughts and comments, and I could see the old man’s eyes dart around in search of an escape, but he continued to listen patiently and nod along at the same time.
My disappointment over being excluded from the research team, and my anxiousness about explaining my relationship with the Archons, was forgotten as I enjoyed the ambiance of the tavern with my friends.
It was definitely a change of pace for me. No mutated monsters or angry goddesses to deal with, no urgent mission or missing friends. I could finally relax and just enjoy myself.
So, that’s exactly what I did. I drank to my heart’s content, laughed until I cried, and hugged everyone multiple times.
I was barely conscious by the time my women herded me upstairs to the room the Academy had rented for Freya and me to stay in until I found a house. I’d been surprised by how well maintained and clean this area of the Retching Goblin was, but before Layla suggested it, I hadn’t even known the tavern doubled as an inn. In that moment, I would have been happy with a dirt floored shack, though, since I was in the company of so many beautiful women. I blinked through the waves of multicolored hair and grinned stupidly amidst the sea of giggling girls, but I fell asleep in a tangled pile of limbs with my lovers surrounding me.
It was utter bliss, and I couldn’t have asked for a better first night back in Mistral.
When I woke up, the sun was high and shone through the window like a spear of heat and light. I blinked and rubbed at my eyes as I looked around. Layla and Freya laid at my side, with their arms wrapped around each other and contented smiles on their faces. The petite summoner snored with an open mouth, but the noise didn’t seem to keep the warrior princess from sleeping peacefully. Everyone else had left already, and I was surprised I’d slept through their departure.
I must have been really out of it.
Hazy memories of the night before flashed through my mind while I pushed myself up onto my elbows and searched for my clothes. Mental images emerged out of context amidst confused snippets of conversation, and I struggled to make sense of it.
I shook my head to dispel the fogginess of the post inebriation cloud, but as soon as I moved, a piercing headache began to clamp down on my temples. I always seemed to forget the consequences of heavy drinking until the morning after reminded me once more.
I spotted my clothes in a heap in the middle of the room as I swung my legs over the bed, but as I stood to retrieve them, I noticed a neatly folded stack of fresh navy-blue Academy uniforms sitting atop the small dresser near the door. A small piece of parchment completed the mound, so I scooped up yesterday’s outfit before I grabbed the note, and then I sat back down on the edge of the bed.
The bed wobbled slightly from my movement, and Freya murmured and stretched her arm, but my shapeshifting wife didn’t open her eyes. I gingerly placed my clothes beside me, and then unfolded the scrap of paper to read the note scrawled inside.
Didn’t want to wake you, but wanted to drop off your new uniforms. Come see me after you eat breakfast, we’ll get you caught up before you rejoin classes.
Love, Arwyn
So, the tutoring and studying regimen had already begun. I resisted the urge to groan as I pictured the coming months of school. I’d gotten used to managing my own time, but then again, I’d always enjoyed learning new things.
The thought reminded me of the book I’d retrieved from the Guardian’s library. I needed to translate some of the labels on the illustrations before I could identify the new creatures I’d encountered during my travels. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to bring it with me to Arwyn’s classroom. Maybe she could even help me decode the name for the white fluff balls with fangs I’d fought against outside Eyrie Island.
I pulled on my old clothes with newfound eagerness. Arwyn always had a way of making learning fun. By the time I was dressed, Freya stirred, and then she blinked up at me with sleepy eyes.
“What happened?” the warrior princess asked with a yawn. “Is everything okay?”
I gave my wife a reassuring smile. “Everything’s great. I’m going to go find some breakfast and then meet up with Arwyn. Do you want to come with me or stay with Layla?”
“Layla is so pretty,” Freya observed with a sweet smile as she glanced over at the petite summoner asleep next to her. “She will make such good babies. They will be funny and clever.”
“I take that to mean you want to stay?” I chuckled.
“I stay with Layla,” my wife confirmed with a nod.
“Good.” I grinned. “Just promise to be patient with her, she doesn’t know your language. Oh, and tell her to take you to Arwyn’s classroom if you need me, okay?”
“Do not worry, husband.” Freya pushed herself up onto her elbows and gave me a determined look. “I am a grown woman, I do not need you to sit me like a baby.”
“Fine, fine,” I relented, and I held up my hands in the universal gesture of surrender. “I’ll see you later tonight, then. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” The usually stoic warrior princess gave me one of the biggest smiles I’d ever seen on her face. “Please, make sure you give Arwyn lots of your seed so she can grow a baby for you.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I smirked, and I leaned over the bed to plant a soft kiss on her light pink lips before I did the same to Layla’s forehead.
“Waffles!” the petite summoner mumbled, and she groaned as she rolled over onto her side.
I shook my head with amusement as I turned and headed down to the common area of the tavern to order my breakfast.
Leaving my two beautiful women in bed was a challenge, but I had to go see my gorgeous red-haired professor, so it had to be done. One thing was for sure, though.
I was a lucky man.
The bartender was friendly as he took my order for breakfast: two fried eggs, ham steak, and whatever his freshest bread was with a cup of coffee.
“You’re that famous summoner kid, aren’t you?” the older gentleman asked as he jotted down my request. “Greg, or Gary, right?”
“Gryff,” I chuckled. “What do you mean by famous?”
“Oh, I’ve just heard all the rumors, you know, about the war against the monsters…” The man swiped a hand across his greasy, balding brown hair and gave me a nervous look. “We get all the students and the Academy in here, but sometimes there’s even an officer or other military group. I overhear things. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“What makes you think they’re talking about me?” I asked with an arched eyebrow.
“You’ve got that chest strap with all them pockets and dohickeys.” The man shrugged. “I’m gonna go give Chef your order.”
Alright, you’ve had your alone time, Dio growled in my mind as the bartender disappeared through the kitchen door. Let me out of here already, or I’m going to lose my patience.
After a quick glance around, I found the common room empty. It was late enough in the day for most of the regular patrons to be at the Academy or attending to other obligations, and with the tavern’s location so far up the hill, there was little chance of a random traveler dropping in.
Gryff … Dio’s growl increased in intensity.
I sighed in surrender as I retrieved the fang shaped crystal from my bandolier, but I gave my familiar the mental command to stay in his kitten size until I directed otherwise. I sensed his irritation at being told what to do, but I knew he was motivated enough to follow my orders, so I tossed his crystal onto the tavern floor.
Then the small kitten-like monster with the dangling fangs meowed up at me as the brief plume of smoke evaporated. I reached down and scooped up my familiar, and then I deposited him on my lap.
Dio stretched his claws and massaged my legs, and his contented purrs grew louder.
I shook my head, and a wry grin spread across my face as I scratched and stroked my familiar on all his favorite spots. He was right, he had been very patient while I’d reunited with my friends and Maelor, and he deserved the chance to stretch his paws and see his new home for himself.
A few moments later, the bartender returned with my breakfast, but I could tell the balding man was trying to avoid eye contact as he placed my meal in front of me. He barely registered the cat-like monster on my lap before he bowed his head and darted back into the kitchen.
It seemed I had a reputation of sorts, but I wasn’t sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing. I supposed I would have to wait to see how it turned out.
That smells amazing, Dio murmured as he sniffed the air near my plate. Is that fried daggerdillo? Mmm …
“No, it’s pork, or pigs,” I explained, and then I tore off a piece of my ham steak to share with my familiar.
The cat-like creature licked at the unfamiliar meat with curious flicks of his tongue, then he meowed with delight and tossed it into his mouth. He swallowed the chunk whole, and looked up at me with a pleased expression.
I like it.
“Me, too,” I chuckled. “And the rest is mine. I need it more than you do.”
Selfish human. Dio sniffed, then curled up into a small ball shape on my lap and laid his head down across his paws.
I ignored his barb and focused on my meal. The coffee was piping hot, and I hissed with pleasure as the steamy beverage slid down my throat. The eggs were perfectly cooked, although the roll on the side was a bit stale, but I agreed with Dio about the ham steak, it was delicious. My breakfast was over too soon, but I had to get to Arwyn, so I deposited my familiar in my hip pouch and tossed a couple coins on the counter before I headed for the entrance.
It was an odd sensation to approach the Academy from the outside, but a few moments later, I strode down the hallway toward the red-haired healer’s classroom and private chambers. I’d walked the path many times, both during school hours and after, and I couldn’t help the smile stretching across my face as I approached the familiar room.
Arwyn Hamner taught History of Magic at the Varle Academy, and she’d instantly become my favorite teacher. She was quick witted, intelligent, but also compassionate and kind. It was a rare combination, but made her an especially talented instructor.
The door to her classroom was cracked open, but when I peeked inside, the room was empty. I knocked on the door as I stepped in, and then Arwyn appeared in the doorway to her private chambers.
The red-haired healer wore a long white sleeveless dress with slits on each side that ran all the way up to her hips. Her flame colored hair was pulled back into a braid, but a few loose strands dangled across her gorgeous face. Arwyn’s amber eyes were full of delight, and she greeted me with a wide smile.
