Chapter Three-Hundred Fifteen


    <strong>Rer</strong>


    The young Lord Mayor does his best to not fidget as he sits at hisrge dining table. The fight between Rocky and nder was beyond his wildest expectations, even <em>with</em> Miller quietly making him aware of who nder was well beforehand. It really makes him appreciate the fight he and his friends had with the boxer, and see just how much further they can all grow.


    He’s still not cut out for actually being an adventurer, but it’s still fun to grow in strength together, and to just hang out. He gets precious little time to do either, and with all the happenings over winter and into spring, he doubts he’ll have an excess of time to spend with them. This dinner is a prime example of that, in fact.


    With nder making his presence officially known, there’s no avoiding an official meeting,plete with all the trappings of ceremony. At least Fourdock is remote enough that he doesn’t have any other nobility nearby enough to get to the meeting in time. So he does his best to suck it up and put on a polite face as he nods to Miller, signalling for him to let nder Widede into the dining hall for a shared dinner.


    The ashen elf smoothly moves to the grand doors and opens them, speaking clearly as he does. “Announcing the Crown Inspector, nder Widede, newly-acimed Champion of Rocky’s Arena.”


    Said champion is fully decked out in his attire of office, armor gleaming and ive on his back. Rer notices the simpler enchanted belt around his hips, as well as the wooden box containing the official Champion’s Belt under the tall elf’s arm. He gives a nod that just technically reaches the threshold for a bow, acknowledging his host while also ensuring his own station is recognized, before his eyes dart around the room for a few moments. He smiles to himself as he strides forward.


    “I hope I’m not being presumptuous in guessing you’d prefer not to stand on ceremony, Lord Mayor?”


    Rer does his best to school his surprise, but he can tell nder is fooled not at all. He sighs and slumps slightly, waving a hand at the seat to his right. “You would be correct, Crown Inspector.”


    “Just nder, if we’re going to forgo formalities,” he replies as Miller pulls out the chair for him, and he smoothly takes his seat.“Then just Rer for me as well.”


    Miller exits to get the first course, leaving Rer to try to figure out how to talk to nder. What can he even say? Thankfully, the adventurer kicks off the conversation.


    “I hope the auditors aren’t proving too onerous?”


    Rer smiles at that and shakes his head. “They’re no problem at all. I was honestly expecting some form of audit once they processed the tax report. Thedeim has been great for almost every industry in Fourdock, and once the ships are built, we’ll be a bustling trade hub, I think.”


    nder nods at that. “That’s what it seems like to me, yeah. I’m better at hitting things than in trading, but even I know a thriving dungeon is more of a gold mine than a literal gold mine!” He chuckles at his own joke as Miller brings in a few ky pastries filled with a vegetable and cheese mix.


    “Indeed. I hope the Crown will improve the roads to Fourdock soon, too. I think we’ll have a lot of sea andnd trading to do, especially with the shortcuts to the Southwood. I haven’t had a chance to meet any of the orcish nomads yet, but the dungeon seems like it gets a lot of them as delvers. It could be a good way to get some of their more exotic goods, too.”


    nder finishes a bite of pastry with an appreciative sound. “Oh, that’s good. And trade with the orcs would be good, too. Most goods from the Wandends goes through Meeting, and the city-state makes sure they get their share of whatever goes through.” He smirks as he lifts another forkful of pastry. “Do you think you could manage something simr with the dwarven holds?”


    Rer snickers at the idea around his own mouthful, and swallows before answering. “I doubt it, but you can never tell with Thedeim around. That kind of unpredictability is why we’re looking to build a hold of our own in the mountains, in case anything happens and the town needs to evacuate.”


    nder quirks an eyebrow at that as Miller takes away their tes. “Are you worried about Thedeim?” he asks, clearly doubtful. Rerughs and shakes his head before exining.


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    “When he vassalized Hullbreak, the dungeon tried to send a scion to wipe out the town, threatening them both with starvation if Thedeim didn’t back down. His conduit dealt with both the storm and the scion, and Thedeim was sessful in bringing Hullbreak to heel, but it was still a concerning time for the citizenry. It’s going to be a joint project between Fourdock and Thedeim. I think there will be more than one breakthrough in the construction.”


    nder nods at that. “Ah, that makes sense. I had heard a few scattered ounts of ‘Fluffles the Stormeater’, but never got the chance to get details beyond a dungeoneer report.”


    Rer nods as well. “It was also what spurred me to… well, take my lordship more seriously. I was basically absent, letting the local merchant guilds keep the town running smoothly. I didn’t want to make a mistake and destroy everything. But I didn’t have any contingencies for an emergency like that, and the townsfolk were rightfully wondering why not. So now we have a n, and I’m taking a more direct role in the governance of Fourdock. Even if a lot of it is just approving the ns of the different guilds.”


    nder chuckles at that. “It seems to be working, at least. And it beats forcing everyone to do things your way and making them hate you for it. When you havepetent lieutenants, apetent <emmander</em> just orders them to do what they were getting ready to do anyway.”


    They chat more as the meal progresses, about scandals and triumphs in the capital, about delving, about life in general. Rer finds himself more and more at ease around the other elf, d he’s neither too pompous nor intimidating. He certainly has a presence, and some of his delving tales reinforce for Rer that it’s not a career for him, but he’s also easy to talk to.


    As dessert is served, Rer wonders if he could ask him for some advice. Miller has given his own input, and though Rer trusts his butler fully, he’s not going to pretend he’s unbiased. But nder doesn’t have any attachment to cloud his judgement, and no reason to try to manipte his decision. He’s quiet through the final course, trying to find a way to be subtle about it, and it’s only after he sets his fork down does he realize nder has been quietly waiting for him to say something.


    If subtlety will be seen right through, be direct then. “nder.”


    “Yes?” he replies, leaning back in his chair, satisfied with the meal.


    “How did… how did your friends take you revealing your position?”


    nder tilts his head in confusion before giving a warm smile. “Ah. They took it very well. A lot better than most others have before, if I’m honest.”


    Rer winces at that as nder continues. “A lot of times, people will want to use your position for their own gain, though some are more direct about it than others. It takes a bit of experience to recognize when someone will put their ambitions ahead of a friendship, and those times… are painful, don’t doubt that.” The older elf pauses for a few seconds, aplex look on his face as he relives a few memories.


    “But it’s not a guarantee. I’ve madesting friendships while undercover, just as I’ve had crushing disappointments. In the end, I think it’s better to tell them the truth, if it’s possible. It’s good to have people you don’t need to pretend around, and if they turn out to not be those kinds of people, it’s better to know early thante.”


    Rer considers that as Miller clears the table of the dishes, leaving their drinks as he thinks. His eyes follow the ashen elf as he considers. Miller seems pretty confident Freddie and Rhonda will handle the truth well, but he’s still worried about what might happen if they don’t.


    He’s knocked from his thoughts as nder speaks up. “Rer.”


    He shakes himself and looks at the older elf, wearing a serious face as he speaks to the younger now. “I know it’s not easy. Sometimes I’d rather fight a murderous dungeon on my own than face something like that. But just like facing down a monster will make you stronger, facing this with the truth will do the same. Even if the worst happens, there’ll be others for you to learn to lean on and trust. Even if it’s a disaster, don’t let it cut you off from others. Because when it goes well, it’s worth all the other pains.”


    “Well said, sir,” replies Miller, and Rer doesn’t even jump at his sudden appearance. He’s simply too used to the suddenings and goings of his butler. “I’ve given the young master simr advice myself, but sometimes one needs to hear from one not so invested.”


    nder snorts at that. “And listen to your butler. I’m pretty sure giving good advice is one of the main subjects at butling school.”


    Miller dons a small smirk at that. “Ah, have you had a chance to listen to many of my colleagues? Perhaps you might enjoy the profession, once you’re done being the Crown Inspector?”


    nder shakes his head. “I don’t think I’m the type. I’m more the sort to make messes, rather than clean them up.”


    “Ah, but sir, a proper butler keeps the messes from happening in the first ce.”


    The two banter back and forth as Rer thinks over the advice. He really does want to tell them. It’s mostly been the fear of them taking it poorly that has kept him from it. But the more he thinks about it, the more he thinks nder is right about it making him stronger. He’s had people he thought were friends betray him, before he came here. Sure, they were the treasons of children and petty in scope, but it still sticks with him. He really <em>did</em> let them iste him from people in general.


    But… he doesn’t <em>want</em> to be alone! He nods to himself, resolve firm. He’ll tell them. Now he just needs to figure out how, and when.


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