Chapter 18 – Reveal
"What's going on?" Petunia quizzed SJ and Alice as they followed the official party as it walked to the Wanderer's Rest. Zigferd walked ahead beside the chancellor, talking quietly as beings lined the streets leading to the town's edge.
Both SJ and Alice glanced at each other nervously. If there was one being who could get the truth out of anyone, it was Petunia.
"It's not for us to say," Alice said, attempting to shut the conversation down.
"Don't tell me he has upset Isavil due to his stupidity. If he has, he'll be going over my knee."
The thought of Zigferd, who was twice the height of Petunia, being dragged across her knee to get punished, was too much, and SJ chuckled.
"You don't believe me?" Petunia frowned.
"Oh, I do," SJ said, trying to placate the fiery gnome.
As they reached the edge of town, the town guard had prevented the townsfolk from continuing to line the route all the way to the lodgings. Security would be tight for the chancellor's visit, and Jay was providing oversight on behalf of the town guard.
"Welcome to the Wanderer's Rest," Fhyliss beamed as she greeted them.
The chancellor smiled as he took in the building. "An excellent job you have done here," he said.
Fhyliss coloured slightly. "Thank you. It's not just my doing." This was the first time Fhyliss had met anyone of such importance, and SJ could tell she was nervous. Fhyliss escorted the chancellor and his party inside, then designated their rooms. As she showed the chancellor to his suite, she asked SJ to take over downstairs.
Zigferd quickly made his excuses and said he would be back in two hours to pick up the chancellor for food. He slipped away hurriedly before Petunia had a chance to corner him.
"You just wait," she huffed as she realised he had left.
"I didn't realise you were coming, so we hadn't prepared a suite. I can get one started for you, though," SJ said.
"Oh no. There is no need. I know exactly where I'm staying," Petunia said, turning her head in the direction Zigferd had disappeared.
Alice and SJ glanced at each other with a knowing stare. Soon, Petunia would know the truth about the twins. They both knew she would be over the moon with delight, but also understood that Zigferd was very likely in for a rough time from her.
"How is Wystria?" SJ asked, pulling Petunia from her trance as she stared still where Zigferd had departed.
"She is well," Petunia said, turning to look at them again.
"That's great. I meant to see her when I went to Asterfal the other day, but..." SJ stopped herself. She was just about to mention the explosion, wasn't even sure whether the chancellor's party had been updated, and didn't wish to let it slip. "ran out of time." SJ amended her response.
"Was it anything urgent you needed to speak to her about? I have a stone link if you wish to talk to her?" Petunia asked, calling a communication stone to her palm.
"No, no. There is no rush. It was just to speak to her about Aletheia on Lythonian's behalf."
"I still don't know why the remote churches haven't been given direct stones," Petunia tutted. "I have been suggesting it for years, but the church authorities still prefer the written word for official communication. It does slow the whole process down."
"I still know so little about the church and its structure," SJ admitted.
Petunia shrugged. "There isn't much to know, really. The grand cleric oversees the entire Amatherean Church from the capital. Their orders are disseminated to major cities, and the information is then cascaded further from there."
"Were you ever involved with the grand cleric?"
Petunia scoffed. "That depends on what you mean by involved. If you mean someone whom I still believe is unsuited for the role and I have told them so on numerous occasions, then yes. If you mean someone I respect because of the position they hold, then yes. If you mean someone I respect only because of the position they hold, then also yes."
It wasn't difficult for SJ to imagine Petunia berating anyone. She doubted that there was a being alive that Petunia wouldn't berate if she saw fit to do so. SJ was pretty sure the only reason she got away with her behaviour was that she was such a high-level cleric.
"Was it never something you wished to be?" SJ asked.
"No, never. I had my opportunity and was offered the position through the enclave when Grand Cleric Parisian died over a century ago, but it's too political for my liking."
"I thought the church was neutral?"
"They are, but that doesn't stop the need to be heavily involved in the continent's politics, though."
"Does the church not cover the whole of Amathera?"
"Yes. Each continent has a grand cleric, who oversees each on behalf of the church."
"So there is no overall head of the church then?"
"There is. It's currently Grand Cleric Vanwen. She is the voted head of the church of Amathera out of the five grand clerics."
"Can I offer you a drink while we await the chancellor?" Alice asked.
"Now that sounds like my sort of hospitality." Petunia grinned. "Brandy?"
Alice smiled and walked over to the bar area.
"You there?" Petunia called to one of the stable hands who was carrying in the last of the bags from the coaches.
The young stable hand almost dropped the small chest he was carrying in surprise at being spoken to. "Yes," the young boy stammered.
"Those bags there," Petunia said, pointing. "The two with the golden emblem."
"Yes?"
"Can you please have those taken to the mayor's house?"
The boy looked confused. "Are you not staying here? Ma'am."
"No, and you can tell the mayor from me when you deliver them; he has some explaining to do," Petunia replied dismissively.
"I'll get it sorted," SJ said, stepping over to the stable hand. His name was Gerard, and he had only recently joined the stables.
"Here, Petunia," Alice called from the bar. Petunia turned and walked over to get her drink.
SJ walked over to Gerard, who was struggling to pick up both bags. She bent to help him pick up the second bag, which weighed a ton. "What on Amathera have you got in here?" SJ asked, groaning under the weight of it.
Petunia turned. "Not much, but you never know what you may need, and I have a few gifts for Isavil. I know she will have been missing some of her favourites from Asterfal."
"Jay," SJ called, to where he stood by the entrance, talking to several of the town guards who would be performing security.
"What's up?" he called over.
"There's no way Gerard can carry these to Zigferd's. Can you get one of the guards to take them?"
"Sure," he smiled as he walked over. "Here, give them to me."
Gerard carefully took the first bag off his shoulder, where he had just managed to lift it. Taking it from him with ease, he then picked up the other SJ had moved. Jay was ridiculously strong, and Gerard watched in amazement as he threw them on his shoulders and walked back outside with them.
"Thanks," Gerard said to SJ.
"No problem," SJ smiled. As Gerard turned and left, now everything was delivered.
Fhyliss leaned against the reception desk and let out a deep sigh. "All sorted." The only beings currently down in the open area were Alice, SJ and Petunia. Everyone else had now been shown to their rooms, and their individual belongings had all been delivered.
"Did he like the suite?" SJ asked her friend.
Fhyliss smiled. "He loved it. He even commented on the branded sheets."
SJ couldn't help but roll her eyes. She had made them under duress from Fhyliss after their previous discussions, and 'apparently' after the sheets were ruined. "Great. Are you going to be alright here by yourself? I did say I would get more help if needed?"
"I'm fine. This is my bread and butter," Fhyliss smiled. A small bell tinkled behind the desk. Each of the rooms in the lodge had a pull cord that ran back to the front desk area.
"No peace," Fhyliss said as she hurried off to see what was needed.
"I'm going to get a helper," SJ said to Alice. "Anyone you would recommend?"
"Mrs Harding. You know the lady who works at the barracks. She would be ideal."
"Wouldn't that affect her role there?" SJ asked.
"No. It's fine, I'll get her position covered. It's only temporary while you have so many here, anyway."
"You say that, but the books are already looking pretty full with bookings. I'll cover her wages and also offer her a bonus," SJ said.
"I'm sure she would prefer to be doing it rather than overseeing the town's rental agreements. I'll get a message to her. You just need to make sure Fhyliss is aware."
"I will, don't worry."
"I'll send her down first thing tomorrow morning. She worked in lodging houses in Asterfal for years and knows the hospitality needs."
Alice knew pretty much everything about everyone in Killic, whereas SJ was still learning about many of them. There were so many beings who had lived varying lives before moving to the starter town. Not that it could really be classed as a starter town anymore. Dave had made it blatantly clear that he doubted it would be able to retain its position as it continued to grow. He didn't know the whole system premise behind it, but doubted it would continue indefinitely. Not that there had even been another Legionnaire appear in Killic since SJ's arrival.
"Shall we head over to Zigferd's now?" Petunia asked, placing her fourth empty glass down. SJ still didn't know how such a diminutive figure put away so much brandy without it ever seeming to affect her. She was pretty sure she must use some of her cleric skills at times.
"Sure, let's head over," Alice said.
They walked from the lodging house, where two of the town guard now stood sentry by the entrance. There would be a permanent presence at all times, with such important guests in attendance, and other guards would patrol the wider area, keeping nosy townsfolk away.
SJ nodded politely to them as the three of them headed back into town. The crowds that had celebrated the chancellor's arrival had dispersed as the early evening arrived, and the light slowly began to fade. The three walked in relative silence, sharing only brief comments on inconsequential details as they headed through town. Petunia got several stares from several members of the town, who recognised her from her previous visits here.
As they neared Zigferd and Isavil's, SJ felt nervous, knowing what was in store, and excited about the reveal to come.
Petunia didn't even pause as they reached his front door, opening it and calling.
"Zigferd Maxwell. You have some explaining to do," Petunia called, her tone sharp.
Alice turned to SJ again and couldn't help but smile. The pair of them followed her inside. SJ heard the curse from the front room and the scraping of a chair as Zigferd hurried to his feet.
"Petunia," Isavil called out as Petunia stormed in.
Zigferd was standing, looking terrified as the gnome entered, her finger waving frantically in front of her. "Isavil, my dear," Petunia said before immediately turning on Zigferd. "What ridiculous greeting was that you gave me when I arrived?"
Zigferd was about to speak when Petunia suddenly froze. Slowly, her head turned back to look at Isavil. Her eyes were slowly growing wider and wider.
SJ and Alice both frowned. How could she possibly know without anything being said?
"Oh, my dear," Petunia said as tears filled her eyes. The immediate transformation from screaming banshee to the realisation was shocking. "Twins? You're pregnant with twins!" Petunia said, rushing forward to Isavil and enveloping her in her short arms.
Isavil grinned at her surrogate mother-in-law and hugged her fiercely. "It's true what they say about you then," Isavil said, her own tears forming.
Petunia leaned back, looking up at her. "If what you mean is what I think you do, then yes. I can hear their heartbeats. When did you find out?"
"I've suspected for a while, but it was only confirmed recently."
"What wonderful news," Petunia beamed, as she moved back before turning on Zigferd.
The big man stood with his head downcast, almost fearful. "Are you sure he's the father?" Petunia thumbed towards Zigferd.
That made Zigferd's head snap up while they burst into fits of laughter.
"I can assure you he is," Isavil chuckled.
"Well, you'd better come and give your old matron a hug then, hadn't you, you big oaff."
Zigferd stepped forward, not speaking, as Petunia gripped him tightly in a loving hug.
Tears of joy and laughter filled the front room for a long time after the discovery, as the family of friends shared in the joyous occasion. Petunia sniffed as she wiped tears from her eyes again. She had hardly stopped crying since finding out.
"Does your father know yet?" Petunia asked Isavil.
"No. I haven't told anyone outside of our immediate family here in Killic."
"Oh, he is going to be delighted. You should call him."
"I wanted to do it in person. I was planning to go to Asterfal and see him and my brother once the chancellor's visit is over."
"Perfect. You can travel back with me in my coach. We will have so much to talk about and begin planning."
SJ noticed the same look of fear flash across Zigferd's face as Petunia said those fateful words. If SJ knew one thing, it was that there was no way that Petunia wasn't going to be involved in every step of the twins' lives.
Kibble, who had been sitting as a perfectly perched companion on SJ's shoulder since the chancellor's arrival, suddenly moved and stretched.
"I'm hungry," he complained.
SJ checked her display; the time had flown by as they had sat chatting, and it was nearing time to collect the chancellor and escort him to the Hogling Arms, where a meal was being served in his honour.
"It's nearly time to go," SJ said.
"You're right," Zigferd said, standing and walking to collect his jacket.
"Are you joining us?" Petunia asked Isavil.
"I am," Isavil said as she stood. She was wearing one of the new dresses that SJ had made for her, and it looked beautiful on her.
"Excellent," Petunia smiled.
As they headed back to the Wanderer's Rest, SJ couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with happiness. Her life and found family in Amathera meant everything to her.
