Chapter Thirty-Two Reshi, the Riverside Garden

Reshi was a quiet riverside town located on the banks of the Vulkira River. Towering walls and sturdy forts surrounded the settlement, but the first thing anyone would notice was the numerous acres of cultivated farmland settled around the walls. Fortified manor houses were just part of the farmland, providing a bit of safety in the event of monsters coming too close to town.

The wide river was notably home to numerous fishing boats, but merchant vessels also plied the water. With so much activity the local guard maintained a small navy of patrol vessels, a few of which could be seen on the waters as Arlie and company drew near the town, Dusk dutifully pulling their cart full of supplies along with them.

Arlie noted one such patrol vessel moving at speed. Unlike most civilian ships, she had no sails but instead relied on a much more expensive means of propulsion, a mana engine. Using potent water and wind enchantments, the mana engine could propel a ship reliably at speeds twice that of the average sailing vessel and were not dependent on wind or oar. Its hull was solid Ironwood etched with warding enchantments that would give it excellent resilience. While she couldn’t see one, she knew some patrol vessels might also have a mana shield that would deflect attacks that might otherwise have hit the hull. The patrol ship had a Mystic Ballistae mounted on its forward deck and several smaller Ballistae located on the sides of the ship. That forward mount was its main weapon.

At this moment, the ship was chasing a small fishing boat that was moving a little faster than you’d expect a fishing ship to go, and was armed. She watched a rear-mounted ballistae fire a bolt at the patrol boat, but it missed splashing into the water. The Patrol ship responded with a shot from their forward mount; a bright golden beam that lanced the rear of the fishing boat.

Hikaru pointed it out, “What’s that about?”

“Not sure, but I don’t think that fishing boat was up to anything good, if a patrol ship is shooting at them,” replied Arlie.

Polca commented, “In my experience, it would be either smuggling or trafficking. Either way the guard takes criminal acts seriously.”

They were close to the gate now, so they shelved the conversation, as a Guard came up to them, a Vulpi woman. The Vulpi were said to be descended from the pairing of a fox goddess with a fairy and seeing the guard it wasn’t hard to believe it. She was short, maybe 75 centimeters tall, but that wasn’t uncommon with the Vulpi they never got much taller than a hundred centimeters tall. She had two lovely fox ears on her head, poking out of golden-red hair that cascaded down her back. Spreading from her back was a pair of multichromatic yet somewhat translucent wings that shimmered in the light. They almost seemed ethereal.

Three fluffy tails swayed gently behind her, covered with golden-red fur the same silky shade as her hair. She was wearing standard issue guard armor, made from treated spineback leather and reinforced with steel to protect the vitals. It was light armor that provided some protection without hampering movements. Although Arlie did notice the Vulpi girl had customized the armored skirt with an interesting enchantment, and she wasn’t wearing panties either, giving Arlie a clear view of her bare sex. It was cute and puffy, gaping invitingly, with not a spec of hair around it.

Arlie was more intrigued with the enchantment, it was selective, not everyone would be able to see right through the girl’s skirt. It wasn’t hard for Arlie to pick apart the enchantment just by looking, it wasn’t that complex but it was genius all the same. Vulpi, like Dark Elves and a few other species, didn’t like covering their pussies. However not everyone in a human town was okay with that; this little enchantment was a bit of a compromise. 

The guard smiled, ‘Welcome to Reshi, may I ask what business you have in town?”

Arlie took charge, “I have business in the capital, so I was planning to charter a ship.”

“In that case, might I recommend the Blossoming Flowers Inn? There aren’t any ships heading that way right now, but there is one scheduled to arrive in three days.”

“Oh? Seems I might be in town for a bit, what kind of ship?”

“Merchant vessel. They stop in all the towns to pick up passengers and cargo on their usual route up and down the river. Naturally that means they go to the capital, but there will be a fair number of stops along the way.”

“Do you know of anyone more... direct?” asked Arlie.

“Afraid not, you’d have to ask around the harbor.”

“Which means more waiting regardless, so why that inn?”

“My sister runs it, and I think she does a pretty good job. Her rates are pretty fair, eight silvers for a standard room, bath and meal included with that price. It’s out by the river, so it’s not that far from the harbor. Some of the more expensive rooms even have a view of the river gardens. If you need to go shopping, it’s just a short walk to the market square.”

Polca interjected, “What about the guild? My group joined hers on the road, but we need to make a report to the guild.”

“It’s in the same area, I can show you the way.” Then she gestured at the cart. “But first I need to check your cart, make sure you don’t have any contraband on you.”

Arlie gestured, “Go ahead, it’s just supplies for the road. Potions, camping equipment, rations, water, first aid supplies, a fair number of arrows. Oh and a fair number of furs, skins, and other valuable parts taken from monsters and animals we hunted while on the road.”

The fairy nodded and started looking around, after a moment she said, “What about the strongbox?”

Arlie opened it, revealing a large number of coins, mostly gold and silver, “My traveling funds, not exactly something you leave right in the open.”

“Quite right, but I had to make sure. We’ve had a problem lately with smugglers, certain groups are willing to pay a fair bit of coin for Psychos Weed.”

Hikaru spoke up, “What’s that?”

Arlie, being somewhat of an expert given her profession as a potion maker, replied, “A rather potent herb noted for its mind altering properties, when burned as part of incense it renders those who smell it highly... suggestible. Unfortunately it’s quite popular with illicit groups, which means owning it without a license is a crime.

Hikaru frowned, “Wait!? License? Some people can legally own that stuff?”

Arlie fidgeted, “Um, well I own it.”

The fairy gave her a look, “You do!? I didn’t see any?”

“I grow it in my garden back home, it’s useful in certain potions. Not that I sell much of them. Usually I just sell the weed to my Aunt, she’s the one who usually makes those potions, more of a market for them in Arcs.”

“Arcs? You’ve come a fair way for a ship then.”

“Well I did have business out here that took precedence to my business in the capital, but I’ve taken care of it,” replied Arlie.

Hikaru gave her a look as they were led through the gate, “I’m not sure how to feel about you owning something dangerous.”

“Anything can be dangerous, it’s just a matter of how you use it. For example, Psychos Weed may commonly be known for its brainwashing properties, but if refined by an Alchemist it can be used to make a potion that alleviates altered mental states, or it can be used to produce a potion of truth. Those aren’t the only potions on the list either, but we’d be here all day if I tried to list them.”

Potions aside, the group made it into town without issue and the young guard showed them to the guild while pointing out where to find the inn she’d recommended. Arlie and Co however joined Polca’s group at the guild. Having been involved in the events, it only made sense that they’d be there for the report.

Stepping through the door, they found the place fairly quiet. Given it was the middle of the day, it was a lull period for the guild but it wasn’t empty. There were a few people in the building with business, but the main counter was free, a young dark elf sat behind the desk. If she were human, Arlie would have guessed around twenty years old, but with elves, the girl could be far, far older. Still, she was pretty in an exotic sort of way. Her skin was a pale blue, her hair silver, and her eyes an interesting shade of violet.

The woman smiled, “Welcome to the guild, can I help you?”

Polca stepped forward, “We are here to make a report on our quest, an investigation into the area around the Red Temple.”

“Oh?” She stood up, “In that case, this way. The guild has been waiting for that report.”

Led into the back, they were met by another dark elf, clearly related but older. Notably, neither one wore panties and their skirts were split in the front. Arlie noted both Thron and Horon blush before looking away. Hikaru stared for a moment, turned red then pointedly started looking anywhere else.

Polca took the couch, let out a breath then started, “Well the good news is we found no sign of hellspawn in the area.” She sighed, heavily, “Unfortunately I don’t think the real problem was much better, a Soul Snatcher was in the area.”

The older dark elf, blinked, “Was? As in no longer?”

Polca gestured at Arlie, “After narrowly escaping our first encounter, we linked up with Arlie’s party. With the added firepower she could bring to the table, we were able to kill the damn thing.”

The dark elf turned to her, “Hmm, you must be a Contrey. Taking the Temple Trials are we?”

“I am, my next stop is the capital so I can get a boat to Blue Rock Isle.”

She grinned, “In that case you have decent timing, Princess Grey is arriving in two days. We’ve made arrangements for a ship to return her to the capital, I’ll let her know you will be joining her.”

“Um... thanks, uh...”

“Right, we forgot introductions. I’m Meril C Pevain, Guildmistress of the Reshi Adventurers guild; and this young lady is my daughter, Ferin.”

“Nice to meet you,” replied Arlie.

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Arlie settled heavily onto the bench. The report to the guild had dragged on and the sun was starting to set. She’d already taken care of their accommodations, Dusk was in a nice stable and their cart stowed, but she’d needed some air after the heavy conversations regarding the now quite dead Soul Snatcher. The guild was going to need to send new parties in to look for any signs of any other Snatchers, and there was more to be done regarding the freed husks. They might be free, and many of them might have their souls back. But the experience always left a mark. Thankfully, that was a task she didn’t have to worry about.

Letting out another breath, she started taking in the surroundings. The locals had told her about this section of town, explaining that this was why the town was often called the Riverside Garden. Now that she was looking, she could see what they meant, this bench was one of several placed along the paths of a wide garden. Located on the banks of the river, running right through town. Little canals cut through the area, while polished wooden bridges went over them. Blooming trees with silver trunks and lovely flowers decorated the garden, while colorful flowers filled the plots. It was a lovely sight right there on the banks of the river, giving her a good view not just of the cultivated nature but of the people on the river. Even at this late time there were fishermen still on the water, pulling in their last catches of the day.

It was a lovely sight, but as the setting rays touched the colorful gardens, her mind was considering the next day. Arlie knew she couldn’t stay long. Letting out another breath, she stared at a nice-looking tree, part of her wanted to chuck her boots and clamber up the side of the tree, to sit in the moonlight, surrounded by the garden upon its branches. It reminded her in a way of that old tree she was always climbing back home, the same one she’d go to every time she needed to think. Yet as tempting as that was, she turned away, heading for the inn. She had to turn in sooner rather than later, they might have to go boat hunting, but she still had things to do. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day, no doubt about that.