Though, this news decided the matter for Jenn. She'd need to start having meeting with all of her advisors, no matter where they were, when she was out traveling. Which meant that she'd need to start doing dream conferences with them. She wasn't sure how they'd all react to that, but it was something that she was determined to do. If only so things like this wouldn't happen again.
"Also, in the future, when I'm out for any reason, I'll use my magic so we can stay in touch. Once a week I'll bring all of us in for a dream conference and we can discuss things like this."
Jenn looked around and couldn't say that she was surprised to find all of her advisors looking at her with a confused expression on their faces. She figured she'd have been more surprised if they weren't confused by her statement. Especially since she hadn't said anything up to this point about anything like that.
When her advisors started nodding, Jenn felt she'd somehow won a minor victory. She wasn't sure exactly what she'd won, but was happy to know that they'd accepted her offer of bringing them into a dream conference every week if she was gone for whatever reason. Though, Jenn hoped that it wouldn't wear her out from using so much magic to do that.
While she'd expected more to be discussed, her advisors started to leave at that moment, making it clear that the meeting was over, even though Jenn felt like there should be more to discuss considering how long she'd been gone.
It also made her wonder if she should start taking more of an interest in the day to day workings of the settlement. That way she could be better prepared to handle other issues that could potentially come up. Such as if the farmers have a failed crop and they have to rush to find enough food for everyone. Or if a landslide occurs and they need to divert people to help with the disaster relief or something.
When her advisors had all left, the only ones left in the room were her stand-ins, who all gathered around Jenn. With as tired as she felt, she wondered if she'd be able to get to sleep soon or if there was something that her stand-ins wanted from her.
"Are you feeling alright?" Oleania asked, worry etched across her face.
"Y-yeah, I'm alright," Jenn replied politely, not sure where this was going.
"Do you have any idea of why the duchess wanted to see you so suddenly?" Roesadra asked, pulling Jenn into a hug that surprised her.
"Not a clue," Jenn said, too surprised to try and do anything other than accept the hug.
She wasn't sure what was going on, but she couldn't say that it was unpleasant. Though, she hoped that this was only being offered in a friendly way rather than anything else. As she certainly didn't want to refuse this sort of affection, but if it turned into anything remotely romantic, or essentially what she knew Alex had been wanting to do with her, she'd have to refuse and live with whatever consequences doing so would bring. Especially since she had no plans of betraying the trust that she had with Alex.
"Is there anything that we can get you?" Saelea asked, her expression not betraying what she was feeling, though Jenn had a sense that she was worried about her as well.
"What I'd really like is just to sleep," Jenn admitted as Roesadra released her from the embrace. "It's been a long day…" Jenn started to trail off when she saw the disappointed expressions her stand-ins had, making her feel like she was making a mistake by not accepting their offer. "Well, I guess I could use something to eat. As I was saying, it's been a long day and getting something to eat would probably help me sleep better."
Jenn felt like she was going to regret giving into her stand-ins, but right then she wasn't sure what it could hurt. After all, they were clearly wanting to be of use and help her, she just wasn't sure if she'd create a rift between them if she refused their offer. Though, she was pretty sure that she should do something for them as well. Something that they'd appreciate, even though her mind was currently drawing a blank on what that could be.
As her stand-ins left, Jenn wondered if she'd be able to talk her advisors into giving her some spending money while she was meeting with the duchess. That way she'd be able to buy her stand-ins a souvenir or something while she was in the city. She doubted that they'd been to the city Pleonths and so might like to see something from that city. Although, she supposed that she should probably consider what kind of souvenir they might like. As she doubted that getting them a necklace would work, as that would probably be seen as something for a man in their culture.
Jenn got herself ready to go to sleep as she waited, feeling like she should ask them what they'd like, but also wanting to make it a surprise, meaning that they wouldn't be able to know about her plans before she presented the souvenir to them. Which meant she wouldn't be able to ask what they'd like.
Although, Jenn supposed she could ask them before she left if she couldn't think of anything. As at least then she'd be able to have something in mind, since she might be able to come up with something that she was confident that they'd like, even if she couldn't be absolutely certain before she presented it to them.
Yet, when they returned with a bowl of what looked like celery soup and a roll to go with it, Jenn noticed that none of them had any weapons. She suspected that they hadn't been given any since they hadn't joined the Silverthorns and likely hadn't had any weapons while they were still slaves, and while they had magic, Jenn hadn't been able to dedicate as much time as she'd have liked to teaching them to use their magic. Which meant that if something happened again like what when Jianopra had been killed, they'd be at the mercy of whoever was trying to kill them.
However, she knew that a large weapon, like a sword or axe, would only be useful if the attacker didn't close the distance quickly. Which left something small that would also be easier to conceal. Like a dagger. Making Jenn think that her stand-ins would at least appreciate the gesture, especially since they certainly wouldn't say anything to Jenn about it.
Besides, she had a feeling that giving women weapons was probably a safer bet than giving them jewelry in this world. Though, Jenn wasn't sure if that was an absolute rule or anything, just that she was pretty sure that it would be the case.
Jenn started to feel self-conscious as she started to eat while her advisors settled down around her. While she wasn't wearing anything right then, somehow she didn't feel as embarrassed as she would have before she'd arrived on this world, making her wonder if that was because of the time she'd spent as a slave without a single thread to wear. Yet, as her stand-ins were watching her eat, it made Jenn feel like maybe there was something else that they wanted from her. Which while she wasn't opposed to doing anything for her stand-ins, she wished they'd say something rather than just watching her like that.
Halfway through her soup, she had to say something. Otherwise, she was certain she'd burst with anxiety of them watching her calmly. "Is there something else you'd like?" she asked, unsure how else to react, as she couldn't say that they'd been like this before.
Rather than answering her immediately, like she'd expected, they shared a look, almost as if they were about to spell out the problems that they had with Jenn. Something that she couldn't say she saw coming. Especially since she was pretty sure that they hadn't acted like this before.
"Well, there is something we've been wondering about," Roesadra said, looking like she was a child asking a parent for permission for something she was expecting a refusal. "Ever since Jianopra died, we were wondering if there was some way that we'd be able to travel like you are. Each of us would like to see the world before we die, but being your stand-in has made it difficult for us to even join the Silverthorns and see more of the world."
Jenn smiled at them, a little relieved that that was all they were asking about. She wasn't sure what she'd have done if they'd wanted something else. Though, she wasn't sure what else they might have asked for. However, when Saelea spoke, Jenn felt her blood run cold.
"So, would you be willing to take one of us with you when you meet with the duchess?"
Jenn wasn't sure if that'd be a good idea, but she couldn't say that she thought it was a bad one. She wasn't sure what her advisors would say, or if they'd even care, but she had a feeling that she probably should agree, simply because it'd be something nice for them. Although, she realized it'd be harder to get them each a dagger with one of them present while she looked into it.
However, because it was such a simple request, Jenn didn't have the heart to refuse. Especially considering they weren't heading anywhere that Jenn expected any real trouble to occur. While she wasn't sure what the duchess wanted with her or Rick, she couldn't say that it would put either of them in danger. Which meant that this was probably as safe of a trip as any she'd be able to come up with.
Besides, there was something tickling the back of Jenn's mind, something that she couldn't be sure but had a feeling she'd forgotten something. Something that she wasn't sure what it was about, just that it was important. Though, whether or not it had to do with the duchess or not she couldn't be sure right then. Just that the feeling wouldn't go away.
"I guess, I could," Jenn said a moment before she finished the last of her soup, not fully convinced it was a good idea, but unable to figure out how to refuse without potentially crushing her stand-ins' feelings. Which she was pretty sure were probably rather fragile on this subject, as it was clear to Jenn that they were mustering their courage before asking her.
While she was expecting them to be happy, she didn't expect them to swarm around her, making her drop the bowl, which would have created a mess if she hadn't finished the soup already. Not that she felt she could blame them. After all, she had a feeling she'd probably be the same way if she was cooped up so much herself here.
However, she figured that she'd need to figure out a way now to determine which one would be accompanying her. Unless they'd already found a way to determine that for themselves. Though while Jenn couldn't help but wonder if maybe they'd determined that before they'd even asked, she wasn't going to try and pry. That was their business and she didn't feel she had a place in trying to get them to tell her everything. Especially since while they were friends, Jenn couldn't say that they were as close to her as her other friends that she'd been doing her best to try and avoid since she left them.
_
Embris was worn out at the end of her shift. While she couldn't say that she wasn't getting used to the demands of standing guard on the Blue Rose's stand-ins, and potentially the Blue Rose herself, even just standing there while keeping an eye out for potential trouble was still rather tiring.
However, she felt better knowing that Jenn was back. While she wanted to go talk with her, she had a feeling that Jenn was rather tired from her expedition. She wasn't sure what might be going on in that room, where Jenn slept, but she was confident that she'd probably get in trouble if she tried to enter without permission. Although, asking for permission probably would need to wait for a more appropriate hour of the day. Which sadly would be when she was on duty herself.
An aggravating paradox for herself.
However, she couldn't say that she disliked the position. She just wished there was a way for her to be able to talk with Jenn right then to tell her about what had been going on while she was out. Or at least what Embris herself was aware of. As she had a feeling that the Blue Rose knew more of things that were going on than Embris did, as all Embris knew was what happened directly around them.
Then there was the fact that her siblings were making friends with the other children, making her feel relieved that they were doing well. Though, she wasn't sure if her letting them roan as they wanted to was a good idea, she couldn't exactly spare the time to keep a close eye on them with the position she'd accepted. She just had to hope that they wouldn't wander too far away from the main part of the settlement on their own.
Although, that was mostly because she didn't really know much of what the dangers around this settlement were. As in the village she'd been in before the bandit attack, she'd known what the dangers were, which meant that she felt more comfortable about where her siblings would roam to, regardless of anything else there.
However, when she left to head towards where she was staying with her siblings, she felt stunned to learn how many new people had arrived with Jenn. She knew that Jenn was supposed to bring back other people, but she hadn't expected so many.
One in particular looked lost to Embris. She had dark skin and hair shaved down so it was barely stubble. She looked like she'd been beaten rather severely but was healing.
Embris approached her, not sure if she should see if someone else could help her. Only confident that she should at least offer. If her offer was refused, then she was confident that someone would come along to help this person out, assuming she wasn't determined to stay like she was right then.
"Um, can I help you?" Embris called out to her when she was nearly at arms length from the woman.
The woman turned to Embris, her eyes clearer than Embris had expected, though, she didn't seem to warm up as she looked Embris over.
"What do you want with me?" she asked, the challenge in her voice clear, though Embris had to work to understand what she said with how thick her accent was. Part of Embris wasn't sure if this woman was used to speaking another language or something. It was possible, though she couldn't be absolutely certain right then.
However, that didn't change the fact that she knew she should try and help this woman out, provided she didn't outright refuse the assistance.
"I was just trying to see if there's anything I could do to help you," Embris replied, hoping the woman would get a little friendlier as they continued to talk. "If only to help you find a place to sleep. As the nights here do get a little cold."
The woman looked Embris over, making her wonder just how intelligent this woman was. As she certainly seemed more intelligent than most people Embris had encountered so far in her life. Plus, Embris got the feeling that this woman was looking for something as she examined Embris, though she wasn't sure if this woman found what she was looking for or not. All she could say was that the woman merely nodded, as if she was satisfied about something.
"Alright. Though, I was expecting to see my brother here. Jenn said that he should be here," the woman remarked, almost to herself.
"Who's your brother?" Embris asked, aware they probably shouldn't be talking in the middle of the main road. Although, given how late it was, there was hardly anyone on the road, but the air was starting to get a biting chill in it.
"Rick," the woman replied, surprising Embris. She'd known who Rick was, but hadn't thought that he'd had any family and while she couldn't say normally just who someone was from their name alone, 'Rick' was an unusual enough name that it was easy to know who was being talked about just by the name itself.
"Oh, I know him, but he's not at this settlement right now. His wife asked him to check on something in the other settlement and he left yesterday to look into it. Though, I have a feeling that he won't be there long, since a messenger came this morning and there seemed to be almost a panic and I overheard someone asking where Rick was," Embris said, hoping that she wasn't creating more trouble when she didn't need to. Especially when she wasn't sure what would create problems for this woman.
However, the woman seemed more hung up on a subject that Embris hadn't expected her to be. "He's married?" she asked, as if she had a hard time believing that fact.
"Uh, yeah?" Embris asked, feeling a little taken aback with this woman's surprise.
Yet, again the woman surprised Embris. "My apologies. I should introduce myself. I'm Shirley. Rick's my younger brother and we got separated when we were made into slaves," the woman said.
Embris nodded, understanding how this woman came to be present. Though, she felt like there was something more than wasn't being said. Yet, she was pretty sure that if there was, that it wasn't her business to inquire about. Especially given how this woman looked like she needed rest more than anything else right then.
"I'm Embris. Come with me and I'll show you to where I stay with my siblings. It's not far and you look like you could use some rest."
However, Shirley shook her head. Embris wasn't sure what that was about, but she had a feeling that this woman wasn't going to budge when she didn't want to.
"First, who is my brother married to? I'd like to meet this woman," Shirley said, giving Embris a predatory smile.