Mike got word the next morning that Morris would be ready to travel by tomorrow. Since the ship they had chartered was prepared to leave at any time, the day of their departure was finally at hand.
[I guess I'll have to say my goodbyes today. There aren't too many people I haven't spoken with yet, so it shouldn't take too long. Hmm, I wonder if I should mention anything to Talgratha. I think she's still in the city, but I'm kind of concerned about what she might do if she finds out I'm leaving. Besides, it might be a bit awkward…]
Because of her responsibilities as a chieftain, the orc had been spending most of her time out of the city and dealing with the fallout of the invasion. Thanks to their contributions in the war, the Ashborn were originally to be given a fair amount of territory along the southeastern side of the Ash Mountains. However, the Alimiran annexation of Tenundi had rendered that plan untenable. He'd heard that there were even some plans to create some kind of semi-independent orc territory, but they hadn't announced anything yet.
He was in the process of eating an early breakfast and enjoying the sunrise. The dorm's dining room was well placed to take advantage of the sunlight, so he was able to savor his omelet and the view at the same time.
Tal eventually joined him with her usual cup of morning tea, and the two of them sat in companionable silence while he finished. As he was preparing to leave, he explained his plans to her and mentioned that he would be back by late afternoon.
"Take care while you are out." She cautioned. "Considering that it is our last day here, I suspect any enemies looking to cause you harm would take this opportunity to strike."
Mike promised to be safe, even though he doubted that there was anyone in the city who could pose much of a threat to him. If Tier 4s were that common, the world would have much more serious problems. Truthfully, he was more concerned about someone going after one of his friends again, which is why he handed her another set of warning necklaces that he'd whipped up in his spare time. He headed out after the elf promised to give them to the other members of the party.
His first stop was Broderick's place, due to its close proximity to the University. He hoped to catch both him and Elaine, since they'd not had a chance to speak since that disastrous party. Thankfully, his new status as de-facto royalty made it quite easy to get past the guards at the door, and it wasn't long before he was ushered into a small parlor.
Broderick hurried in with his clothes in slight disarray. By all appearances, he'd only just woken up. "My apologies for keeping you waiting. I was…indisposed when I heard of your visit."
"Don't worry about it. In fact, I'm the one who should be apologizing for dropping by unannounced so early in the morning." Mike replied, feeling slightly guilty. Had it occurred to him earlier, he would have scheduled a meeting later in the day.
"Please, don't mention it, my lord." The other man replied respectfully.
"Alright, you can stop that right this instance. I know we haven't known each other that long, but I consider you a friend. There is no need for this kind of polite language."
Broderick looked a bit troubled, but nonetheless agreed to drop the formalities. "Very well, my…friend. What can I do for you?"
"Well, truth be told, I intend on leaving this continent in the near future, so I came to say my goodbyes. As I said before, it was only a short time, but I nevertheless appreciate all you've done for me."
"Please, I did nothing worth mentioning. By comparison, you not only saved Elaine from her kidnappers, but protected the entire country from invaders." The young man replied, a bit forlornly. "While I understand you likely have your reasons for the sudden departure, I cannot help but feel a bit disappointed. It may have been a bit presumptuous of me, but I was looking forward to renewing our acquaintance once classes resumed."
Mike offered a sympathetic smile. He was about say something to commiserate when a ball of energy burst into the room.
"ISAUDRAHERE?" Elaine demanded as she ran up to him, trailed by a pair of out of breath maids who seemed to have been chasing her. Broderick waved them away while looking amused.
"She is, although she's sleeping at the moment." Mike explained while removing the small dragon from his pocket and handing her over to the girl. "Be careful not to wake her."
Elaine nodded emphatically, and then placed Audra onto her lap with exaggerated care, eyes filled with the delight at the cute sight of the dragon curled up into a ball.
Mike soaked in the image, finding a small amount of vicarious joy in the girl's happiness. After a few minutes, Broderick apparently thought that he'd indulged her rude behavior enough, and coughed pointedly. "Ahem, Elaine? Don't you think there is something you should say first?"
"Ah! I'm sorry. Welcome to our home, Sir Dragonknight. Although we do not have much to offer, I hope that our hospitality will not disappoint you…" After a few seconds, she glanced over at her relative and whispered. "Is that good enough?"
Mike chuckled while Broderick rubbed his forehead. "Yes, that will be fine."
The three of them continued to chat idly for a good hour, discussing what had happened since they'd last met. Elaine especially was keen on hearing stories about his adventures, so he gave some brief accounts, making sure to avoid any of the bloodier details.
Eventually, he decided that he'd stayed around long enough, and explained that he needed to head out. There was a host of errands he still had to run before the end of the day. However, before he left, he wanted to give the girl a little gift while simultaneously practicing a spell he'd been working on.
After taking Audra back, he said. "Since you've been such a good friend to us, I have a little present for you. Something that I think you'll like."
"Really?! What is it?" She squeaked excitedly.
"Hold out your hands and close your eyes." He commanded before starting a modified chant. It was based off of the one he'd originally used to summon Red, but altered in a couple key places.
"I call for you to this world. Arise in the form I have chosen, and carry out my will. [Conjure Minor Creature]"
A small magic circle appeared over Elaine's outstretched hands, complete with a glowing ball of light that slowly resolved into a tiny draconic form. At first glance, it resembled Audra, in that it had a sinuous, blue-scaled body and decorative frills, however it lacked the horns and a certain mysterious presence that completed his familiar's appearance. Mike took a quick moment to use Appraise before telling the girl to open her eyes.
-------------------------------------
Unnamed
Age: 0 (Juvenile)
Race: Lesser Water Dragon
Class: Conjured Dragon
Title: None
------------------------------------
Elaine briefly stared at the small creature in her hands with her mouth slightly agape, before lighting up in a massive smile. "OHMYGODSITSSOCUTETHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!"
He chuckled again, glad that his efforts had borne fruit. "It's good you like her." Glancing over at Broderick, he added. "It occurs to me I probably should have spoken to you first, since this might cause you some problems down the road."
The young man smiled and was about to respond when he appeared to have a sudden thought. Paling, he looked back at the creature in Elaine's hands with something approaching trepidation. "Do you mean to tell me that it will be sticking around for the long term?"
"She, and yes. I've already invested enough mana to have her fully manifested, so she's basically a living being, albeit a juvenile one. I might be able to forge a familiar bond between the two of them, if you'd like, but I suspect that Elaine will manage just fine without it, given her talents."
"Grow? Is-is she a-a dragon?" Broderick asked, panic starting to form in his eyes.
"Yes? I figured that since she was so attached to Audra, she might appreciate having one of her own. If it's a problem, I can take her with me." Mike offered, sensing that maybe he'd made a mistake.
"No! She is my friend and I love her!" Elaine broke in while protectively clutching the little dragon to her chest.
"I know you've probably already gotten attached, but we have to think about how this might affect your future. What will people think if you have a full-sized dragon following you around?"
"Actually, based in what I've learned about their life cycles, it will probably take close to a century to reach what might be considered adulthood." Mike explained soothingly. "She'll grow, of course, but you'll have years to work out a solution before anyone really notices."
[Of course, that assumption is based on second hand information I've gleaned since reading that library book. As a summoned creature and a different variety of dragon, there is every possibility that things may play out in another way…Better not alarm him, though.]
Broderick didn't look convinced, but reluctantly agreed. "While I am not sure if it necessarily a good idea, I will nevertheless thank you for your gift, Mike. I doubt there are many things in this world that might be more capable of moving Elaine's heart."
He took a moment to watch the girl play with her new companion, smiling fondly despite his reservations when she started giggling as the young dragon nipped playfully at her fingers. Finally, he sighed. "I'm sure I'm going to regret this at some point, but I will do my best to help her care for it."
"I've gone ahead a compiled a set of notes regarding what she will probably require for proper development, and what to expect. Honestly, I am not really an expert, and most of this is based on second-hand knowledge and guesswork, but it should at least help." Mike said as he handed over a small bundle of papers.
"I believe you may very well be the closest thing to an expert on dragons that this city has, so thank you." Broderick replied with a smile, before perusing its contents.
"In any event, I should be going. Take care, the both of you. I will stop by and see you again the next time I am in the area."
"Bye! Thanks again for Misty!" Elaine answered brightly while standing up to see him out.
"Misty? You already named her?"
"Yep! Isn't it a good one?"
Mike smiled gently. "I think it's very suitable for her. Be sure to take care of Misty from now on."
"I will!"
Broderick stood as well, still going over the notes. "Safe travels, Mike. I look forward to your next…wait, is this right? Do they really need to eat this much? And mana cores?! How am I going to pay for this?" He commented in exasperation, before realizing it looked like he was blaming the gift giver. "My apologies, I didn't mean to complain. I should be able to work something out…"
"Unfortunately, that's probably going to be the case. I assumed that the Duke would have vested interest in providing for her, since it would add to his house's prestige down the road, but I can see how that might be a problem in the short term. Tell you what, I have a collection of minor cores I've been accumulating. You can have them."
"That's too generous! You have already given us so much…"
"Don't worry about it. If I need more, I just need to go spend an afternoon clearing a dungeon or two. Besides, they are mostly low-quality ones anyway."
[It might be possible for Elaine to provide mana directly, but that would take some explaining. Besides, I've already included that bit in the notes.]
He pulled out his extradimensional sack and began removing the cores in question. There were more than he remembered having, and he'd only piled up half of them by the time the host began to get agitated. The resulting collection covered most of the coffee table.
[Well, I suppose this will be enough to last them a few years. Assuming that her appetite does increase too much.]
Leaving a cheerful Elaine and an overwhelmed Broderick behind, he caught a coach heading towards the Mercantile district. It would have been possible to fly there, but considering the nature of his next appointment, he wanted to remain inconspicuous. Not to mention that it would give him time to plan what he was going to say to the Broker.