Banquet: Part 7

JP with Alexis , Gonyaul, Islana, Wim, Nicolaus, Winteroak, Voah, and Hunter:

Gonyaul returned back with cup of water, several delicious looking morsels, and a closed mouth currently occupied with a bite.

Islana looked at Alexis, "There is no real decision to be made. I don't want it, their offer. Sir Zane made the offer , before everything that happened," she rarely spoke of the night, on her own, but figured it didn't need to be spelled out. "I've had a while to think it over. I don't think that's the path I should be on."

Alexis looked at her for a moment, then smiled, gently.

Good.

With Gonyaul returning, she decided to just spill it out.

“The Duke kindly let me pick my boon.”

Again, there was some undeniable mirth in her voice.

“I asked to be released from the military.”

“This good news?” Alexis had never really opened up to him about being dissatisfied with her service and desires to stop. It was obvious though from her demeanor that she was at peace with her decision. Her expression and body language made him think it was good news.

“What this mean now?”

“Well, mostly that I’ll be constantly looking for work, rather than having a regular pay.”

It was quite clear that this didn’t bother the mercenary in the slightest.

“However, due to what I can only assume is some strange stars aligning, the Duke decided to grant my wish by considering my tenure finished. Which means that I’ll be receiving some land.”

She grinned.

“I’m not expecting much, given that the Duke was less than thrilled, but if everything else fails I suppose I could always take to farming.”

Islana was happy for Alexis but couldn't help but wonder if that meant she'd be on her own, mostly, again. The redhead didn't really know.

"I'm happy for you," It was true.

So, she didn't show her concern which Islana's mind was saying was selfish.

“New beginnings.” He grinned knowingly at Islana and then enthusiastically at Alexis. What a tremendous day he thought.

“There is actually something that I wanted to ask both of you, in this light.”

Alexis looked warmly at her friends.

“Those lots most likely don’t come with housing. So I was wondering. If I have to build me a house from the ground up anyway, I might as well go for a little bigger.”

She paused for a moment, regarding the two people she had come to care deeply about.

“… in case either of you might at anytime find themselves looking for a place to stay.”

It took a moment for Islana to realize what Alexis was saying, offering.

For the first time, since the ordeal with the cult, a small smile crept upon her face. Faint perhaps but still there.

"You want us to live with you?" Islana swallowed,. "Yes. I'll live with you."

Gonyaul paused to process what Alexis had just so generously offered. Then it was confirmed by Islana. This day just kept getting better and better.

He didn’t have a place to live right now. Well, that wasn’t entirely true if you counted the tool shed or the debris shelter in the ground.

The thought of her offer brought a smile to his face. This was the first time he might have a home instead of just a house since he left his people.

“I would much like this.” He tried to pretend he choked slightly on a sip of water, but in all actuality he was moved internally.

“Make you orchard of lion figs. Only ones in land.”

Gonyaul suddenly remember something and reached inside his other sleeve’s interior. He pulled out a piece of parchment and showed it to Alexis.

“Can this help?” It was a bill of sale for lumber and delivery made out to him for repairs to his place. The signature was from Wim Riese.

Alexis expression softened even more.

“Great. Saves me the remodelling if you are coming right away.”

she joked lightheartedly.

Looking at the bill, she raised her eyebrows.

“Would you look at that. It would, only if you don’t want to use it for your place at the farm, though.”

“Don’t mind. My place no more on farm, or woods.” He would have to show them his secret getaway place one day.

“My place now with you and you.”

He gestures to both ladies and performs a sign with his hands they haven’t seen him do before.

He was not going to stop working on the farm. He would just commute. Yet, in his spare time he could work the land Alexis received. And over time he could rebuild a small tent like shelter just to rest and get out of the sun where his old place used to be.

Islana glanced at the paper that Gonyaul presented but she only recongized it seemed like a bill. The conversation between Gonyaul and Alexis though gave way that it was probably for lumber or building materials or something else useful.

The redhead would have a place she was wanted. It felt like a long time coming to get here.