Master Of None

The younger elven archers immediately started to gather up their gear. They had wanted to go on a hunting trip for a while, but the forest was deemed too dangerous with the purple slimes around. With the main slime defeated and the enforcers patrolling for any remnants, they had a chance. ”We just need to go and get the permission from an enforcer commander before we leave, they have a guard station near the usual hunting trails.” One of the elves chided as they put arrow after arrow in to their quiver.

”That’s fine, I approve it.” The movement stopped as all eyes rested on sierra. ”I may be the guard of our guest and also their guide, but I am an enforcer commander none the less.” She sounded a little prideful of the position.

The elves had not expected that a commander would be in charge of their heroic guests and were understandably shocked. It was very rare for an enforcer commander to differentiate themselves from a normal commander. Knowing that they were speaking to a much higher ranked elf was a lot for them to take in. 

Gil did not have a reaction like this. He had expected such things and was already adjusted to meeting higher ranking figures. He had already met three leaders of different kingdoms after all. ”That’s perfect. Anything we need from you to go out?”

”Take this token, it will allow you to pass by the enforcers guarding the perimeter. Remember if you see a purple slime send a light arrow in to the sky and alert the enforcers. If you are found to have tried to take one out by yourself you will be on arrow production for a month.” The threat was not a new one, the arcane archers were known to push their limits and this threat was the only one that seemed to hold weight.

”Hey Alma, are you coming hunting?” Gil yelled upwards towards the branches snaking around the upper areas of the archery training area. 

Walker hadn’t even realized she was here but her voice soon proved her presence. ”No hunting for me. I am changing the pathways for the training area. Next, I am going to lead Walker around to where Remey is. Then I promised Su and Calen we would meet for food.” Alma soon popped her head out from a mess of young vines and used them to get to the main ground. ”Hello, Walker.”

”What a surprise, I thought you weren’t here.” He took notice of Gil’s slightly sad expression but would tease him later about it. He wanted a little revenge for the teasing about Alice.

”Sorry for not saying anything earlier. It is part of my duty to guide the training of my future archers. If I don’t change the branches and create a new challenge we could fall in to bad habits. The queen changes things a little but it is only to help me learn.” She was saying this with such confidence that Walker couldn’t help but believe that she would be a very dedicated queen one day.

”Oh, what did you think of the unicorns? They are so adorable and fun to play with.” She was gushing over the unicorns sounding like a mother who wanted to show off their children.

”Midnight and Onyx are getting along with them well. We helped them burn some energy. I heard a pretty interesting love story from the unicorn protector over there.” Walker said this looking at Gil and Alma. Since Alma was the only one that knew the story she was the one to turn red. Gil just looked at Walker blankly. ”I’m sure Alma can tell you all about it after you get back from your hunt. You have plenty of hours before we would meet back up for dinner anyways.”

Gil shrugged after seeing Walker’s devious expression then Alma’s red face. He had no idea what the two knew but he knew if he asked it would mean trouble. ”I see what you meant before,” Sierra said this plainly while Alma turned away from them. Walker swore he saw Sierra smirking since she was now in on the teasing. 

”Well, no point in staying here since they are leaving. Let’s climb the tree to the alchemist’s dwelling and see how Remey is getting on.” Alma suddenly made a move to leave further confusing Gil.

”Umm, guess I will see everyone later.” He waved to them as they left. The young elven archers became loud and talkative as Walker and Sierra followed Alma. Now that a commander wasn’t around they could be more relaxed.

”Mind if we take the scenic route? I hope to take in the sights properly.” Walker wanted to check other shops on his way in case he saw something amazing. This was mostly because he was thinking about the fact that the elves had many more elemental mana crystals than his kingdom. If he wanted to make a staff that housed all the elements then this was the place to gather materials.

”I wouldn’t take you any other way.” Alma moved upwards on a low hanging branch. ”I can’t believe that guy told you that story…” Alma muttered this but Walker still managed to what here. 

”Yes, that story, the one about the elf and human who fall in love and can’t survive without one another.” His smirk had returned.

”I swear you are as bad as Wade and Calen. They didn’t let up when I said I was going to change the archery training area. They know I need to because it is part of my duty.” Alma had fallen in to a huff trying to rationalize her decisions. 

”Hey what are those over there?” Walker’s eye had been caught by some drying fabrics strung out on vines. 

”Those are fabrics made with the flowers in our gardens. The petals are boiled in water and the dye extracted. Then the fabric is soaked for a week until it gains the color. I didn’t think this would interest you.” Alma had thought Walker to only be interested in magic and weaponry from the way he acted. But seeing that he had other interests was nice. 

”My sister is a seamstress. Even if the fabric is not magical, or study I want to bring her back as a gift. Do you think it is possible to buy some of each color?” Walker was thinking how happy Lisa would be as the first one to make a dress out of elven fabric. Not to mention she could send it off to the castle or any noble and jumpstart her career.

”That’s so sweet, I am sure your sister would love it. They are dyeing the thin fabrics for the summer months, so they will be perfect for dresses and evening clothes.” Alma was very happy to hear that Walker’s family could make use of something they made. She had worried that their cultures would be too far apart due to the elves’ isolation. This was a small thing but it was enough to add some faith for her.

Alma led Walker to a stall full of rolls and rolls of different colored light fabrics. Walker chose seven colors and paid for them along with storing them away in his inventory. The two women that ran the little stall were very happy to sell them to one of the city’s guests. It may not have been an elemental mana crystal like he had been keeping an eye out for but it was something great.

”Now back up we go.” Alma started to run up more branches. The three climbed higher and higher while following the trunk of the tree upwards. After some time Walker began to smell the familiar scent of herbs and dried cooking ingredients. 

Hidden around the trunk of the tree fairly high up was a large tree house with an even taller smoke stack. The entire thing looked to be made out of woven vines, Walker couldn’t help but think that making it would have taken hours.

”Knock Knock, Alma is here with guests.” Alma knocked on the door and walked right in. With the door open she revealed Remey who was sitting in a chair staring at a pot of boiling liquid.

”Really, why do the young have so much courage. They always barge in here like they own the place.” A very slender elf stood in the corner grinding herbs in to a powder. She had turned to reveal a very youthful appearance,

”So you are the leader this little girl mentioned? I am the eldest master alchemist in the elf city. You may call me Trish for the time being. But when we are not inside this room please address me as master alchemist, it is only proper.” The woman named Trish sounded like a stickler for rules in the open but a very relaxed person in her own dwelling. Walker had a feeling she would be a very good influence for Remey. 

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