425 425 Accomodations
The approach to the village was everything that they could have hoped for. With the wall of trees in the way, you couldn’t actually see anything, and the looks of confusion as the witches were led from the riverboat down the wall toward the main gates were priceless.
ραndαsΝοvεl ƈοm “Ladies, welcome to Forest Grove,” Wolfe informed them just as they came around the last corner to the main gates.
The three new arrivals rushed past him to see what he was talking about and stopped dead when they reached the gate.
Half a second later, Ember and Stephanie raced past them to jump up on Cassie and Wolfe, who laughed and caught them in their arms, with Cassie nearly being taken off her feet by twenty kilos of hellhound.
“Well, I missed you too. But you know, if you actually wanted to come along, you just had to ask.” Wolfe laughed as Stephanie climbed onto his shoulder and began to purr.
“Is that someone’s Familiar?” Christa asked, and Wolfe realized that she didn’t recognize the cat at all.
“That’s Stephanie, you know, the Familiar Cat that the Headmistress ordered me to take good care of when we were at the Academy. She’s still with me, and she’s reached Rank Two already.” Wolfe explained.
“Rank Two? Then why is she still a cat? I am completely certain that Familiar Cats can transform once they get even a decent way into Rank One and can use enough Witch Magic to cast a full disguise spell.” She asked, confused.
Cassie laughed and petted Stephanie’s head. “Oh, it’s not a deficiency on her part. She just prefers to be a cat, so she refuses to take human shape.”
Justine gave her an envious look and muttered under her breath. “I wish I could be a cat too.”
Stephanie looked concerned at the words, then examined the girl carefully before climbing down Wolfe’s arm and into the arms of the young Witch.
“It looks like she likes you. How about you watch her for a bit? She’s capable of mental communication, so she shouldn’t have any problems talking to you once you get the hang of it. Stephanie knows a lot of things, so you can trust her, and she knows her way around, so she can help you make it to class on time.”
[Telepathy is an annoying spell to cast. Why did you tell her that I can talk in her mind?] Stephanie asked Wolfe through their bond.
[She has been abused for years and locked in a closet at her parents’ house while the rest of the village thought that she was dead. I think that you might be the only one here who can really relate to that level of shitty parenting, so I’m putting you in charge of helping her out until she is comfortable here.] Wolfe replied.
[I understand. Don’t worry, I’ll get her situated nice and smoothly. Even if she is uncomfortable with people, she likely will be much more relaxed when she is with a cat.]
Sophie already looked much more relaxed with the Familiar Cat in her arms, and Ella patted the girl on the head.
“Take good care of her.” She whispered, though to which of them was questionable.
Once the shock of being rushed by a hellhound and a small black cat wore off, the Witches returned their attention to the insane scene inside the village. There were two layers of suspended rope walkways overhead and a shimmering fountain with wisps lighting it up in an ethereal blue. Magical fish swam in the streams that ran between ponds, and Witches on staves flew all around, moving between trees and the gleaming white marble tower in the center.
“This is your idea of a village?” Justine asked, deeply impressed.
“Oh no, this is just the above-ground portion. There is much more below ground, including hundreds of acres of magical gardens, most of the sleeping quarters, the training grounds, the academy, the hot springs and the pool.” Wolfe explained.
One of the guards by the door smiled at their stunned silence. “How about we take over from here and help them pick a spot to stay? We can record it in the official logs and set them up with the first few days’ basics while they get used to their new home.
It’s also nearly dinner service, so we can take them to the cafeteria once they finish picking a house. Or should we do the dinner service in the tower? I think that one is better if nobody is afraid of heights. The view is amazing, especially with all the Flame Winged Swallows which are around at sunset.”
“There is a restaurant in the tower?” Sophie asked.
“Sort of. There is a three-times daily buffet made by our village’s kitchen that is served in two locations. Either the underground cafeteria or the upper level of the tower for those who are working above ground.
It doesn’t charge, so it’s not really a restaurant and more like an employee cafeteria. There are markets on the ground level if you prefer to buy your own food and do your own cooking after today. There isn’t much time before dinner tonight to get everything done, so I recommend not trying to push yourself.”
“Can I stay in the trees? The trees look amazing. Even if there is a risk of falling, I still want to stay up there.” Sophie asked, but she was looking at the birds, not the trees.
Stephanie pointed a paw, and the girl nodded. “I think that we have a place in mind. Can someone follow us and record it before the really good spot is taken?” Sophie asked eagerly.
There wasn’t anyone competing with her for space except Christa and Justine, who both seemed more intrigued by the underground aspect of the village, so she didn’t have anything to fear, but the nervousness of having an opportunity and then risking losing it was getting to her.
“Sure, the staff will follow you up to wherever Stephanie has in mind and then bring you a set of the basics to get you settled in for the night before they bring you to dinner.
We will all meet in an hour and a half at the tower for dinner. How does that sound?” Wolfe suggested.
Priya nodded. “That should be enough time for everyone unless Cassie and Ella tie you up in your room and don’t let you out. I think that they might have a few things to say to you in private.” The Lieutenant teased.
“Hmm, good point. Give us ninety minutes. Then, a dinner break should still work out.
Sorry to ditch you ladies at the door, but I will see you soon.”