Chapter 44: Tea with the Egg in Charge
By the time Caelan and the others reached the first proper road leading into Gilded Hollow, nobody had enough energy left to be impressed by it properly. This was unfortunate, because under ordinary circumstances the sight would have deserved at least a few minutes of staring. After days of ruined settlements, abandoned roads, half-dead forests and the sort of landscapes that gave one the uncomfortable impression civilization had packed its bags and left without saying goodbye, Gilded Hollow appeared almost offensively intact. Stone walls stood where walls were supposed to stand. Gates opened and closed without collapsing. Lamps actually worked. Shops possessed roofs. No enormous monster was currently using the marketplace as a battlefield. Caelan, walking at the front in his flowing blue-and-white cultivation robes rather than the Azure armor, stared down the main street with narrowed golden eyes while the rest of the group gathered behind him. Stormmane looked even more suspicious than usual, which was impressive considering he had only one arm left and had spent most of the journey from Arachne's territory expecting every shadow to grow eight legs. Luminel hovered close to Caelan's shoulder, one wing still missing and the surviving one carrying enough damage that his flight had become more stubbornness than aerodynamics. Yuto walked beside them holding Michael, who had recovered enough to remain awake but not enough to fly for long.
The city was peaceful.
Suspiciously peaceful.
Roadstreakers idled at intersections, their engine-like bodies rumbling lazily while they argued about racing parts. Scrapreavers lounged beside food stalls with the relaxed posture of creatures who looked as if they should have been setting the stalls on fire rather than comparing prices. Several hulking Brutehorns sat outside a tea shop playing some sort of tile game while insulting one another's intelligence with great creativity and absolutely no violence. Thornfolk leaned from shop windows selling fruit, roots and medicinal leaves. Gloomimps zipped through the air carrying parcels, gossip and, in one memorable case, what appeared to be an entire roasted bird twice the creature's own size. There were armed creatures everywhere, rough creatures everywhere and enough horns, claws and suspicious glowing eyes to populate several nightmares, yet nobody was fighting.
Stormmane stared openly.
"This place is wrong."
Yuto looked around. "It seems nice."
"Exactly."
Michael, perched in Yuto's arms, sniffed the air. "Someone is cooking."
That caught everyone's attention.
The smell drifting down the street was unmistakable. Roasted meat. Spices. Fresh bread. Something sweet. Something fried. And, unless Caelan's exhausted senses had finally surrendered entirely, waffles.
Luminel watched a Thornfolk merchant hand exact change to a Brutehorn twice its size and muttered, "I've seen that species bite someone's arm off over a disagreement concerning turnips."
The Thornfolk smiled politely at its customer.
Stormmane's ears flattened. "Definitely wrong."
Caelan said nothing. His Eyes of Fate were not actively showing an immediate attack, which was encouraging, but he had learned enough about this world to know that an absence of imminent stabbing should never be confused with safety. Still, the streets were maintained, the people fed, and the atmosphere lacked the desperate edge he had seen in most surviving settlements. Someone had imposed order here.
A Gloomimp swooped down and landed on the top of a street sign.
It looked at the newcomers.
Then at Luminel.
Then at Stormmane's missing arm.
Then at Caelan.
Its yellow eyes lingered on him.
"New?"
"Observant," Caelan replied.
The Gloomimp ignored the sarcasm. "If you're planning to start trouble, don't."
Stormmane blinked. "That's your welcome?"
"The Boss charges damages."
"Ah."
"And if you're planning to stay, go introduce yourselves. Especially you lot." The creature pointed at Caelan and then Yuto. "Boss already knows you're here anyway."
Caelan's expression barely changed.
"Does he?"
The Gloomimp grinned. "Boss knows everything worth knowing."
"That sounds expensive."
"It is."
The creature liked that answer.
"The restaurant's in the park. Big cracked egg building. Can't miss it."
Stormmane stared.
"Egg building?"
"You'll understand."
The Gloomimp took off, then circled once and added, "Mushroom stew's good today."
It vanished between the rooftops.
Yuto looked at Caelan.
"Should we go?"
Caelan glanced toward Luminel.
The fairy shrugged. "Food, shelter and information all in one place."
Stormmane muttered, "That's exactly how traps advertise themselves."
"You're free to wait outside."
Stormmane immediately started walking.
"I didn't say I wasn't hungry."
The park sat surprisingly close to the center of Gilded Hollow and was greener than the countryside they had crossed to reach it. The grass had actually been watered. Trees were trimmed. Stone paths curved around a clear pond where several aquatic Aetherkin drifted lazily beneath glowing lilies. Even the benches looked repaired, which Caelan found almost more remarkable than the functioning city walls.
Then they saw the restaurant.
Stormmane stopped.
"Oh."
Yuto's mouth opened.
Michael tilted his head.
Luminel sighed.
The building had been designed to resemble an enormous cracked egg.
There was no subtle interpretation available. It was an egg.
A very large one.
Warm golden windows glowed through carefully incorporated "cracks" in its white exterior, and a ridiculous little ornamental chef's hat sat on top of the roof. A polished sign hung above the entrance.
EGGSHELL HAVEN
Beneath it, in smaller writing:
ALL GUESTS WELCOME — TERMS MAY APPLY
Caelan read the second line.
"At least they're honest."
Two enormous Prideclaws stood outside, both broad-shouldered lion-like humanoids with heavy arms and thick golden manes. They wore spotless dark uniforms.
Stormmane looked at them.
One Prideclaw looked at Stormmane.
There was a long moment of mutual feline evaluation.
The guard finally nodded.
Stormmane nodded back.
Apparently something had been settled.
Yuto whispered, "Should we just go inside?"
"It would be rude not to," Luminel said.
The door opened before anyone touched it.
Warm light spilled across the path.
And standing within the doorway was the strangest ruler Caelan had yet met in this world, which was no small achievement.
Vellum Goldvein was enormous, round and mostly egg.
His shell was pale ivory rather than black, cracked deeply across the front and top, with whole sections missing to reveal not flesh but a hollow darkness swirling inside. Two golden eyes floated within that darkness, bright and expressive. Powerful green clawed arms and legs emerged from beneath the shell, while rich burgundy robes embroidered with gold hung around him in expensive folds. A gold chain crossed the front of the shell, ornaments and seals dangling from it. One claw held a rolled parchment sealed in red wax. The other held a long black feather pen.
He looked less like a demon king and more like a wealthy accountant who had hatched halfway and decided completion was unnecessary.
"Ah," Vellum said pleasantly. "There you are."
Caelan studied him.
"You were expecting us."
"I expect everyone eventually."
Vellum's golden eyes shifted over the group with rapid precision. Yuto. Michael. Luminel's ruined wing. Stormmane's missing arm. Caelan.
He lingered on Caelan for half a second longer.
Interesting.
Not fear.
Assessment.
Value.
Vellum stepped aside.
"Come in before the lion bleeds on the path. The gardeners complain."
Stormmane looked down at himself.
"I'm not bleeding."
"Wonderful. Then you've already saved me money."
Caelan almost smiled.
The Prideclaws opened the doors fully.
Vellum turned away.
"The table is ready."
Luminel lowered his voice.
"He's strong."
Caelan had already noticed.
Not merely powerful.
Established.
The entire city carried his influence.
Yuto hugged Michael a little closer.
"Are we safe?"
Vellum answered from halfway across the room without turning around.
"Inside my city? Provided nobody violates the rules."
Yuto blinked.
Vellum continued walking.
"And provided you pay for anything you break."
Caelan glanced at Stormmane.
Stormmane scowled.
"I don't like that you looked at me."
Eggshell Haven was far more comfortable inside than any building shaped like breakfast had a right to be. Floating lanterns cast warm gold light over polished dark-wood tables. Thick carpets covered the floor. Soft chairs had been arranged around a large circular table near the back, and steam curled from bowls already waiting there. The smell alone nearly ended the group's remaining suspicion.
Nearly.
Yuto sat first.
Michael required no encouragement.
Stormmane tried to maintain dignity for perhaps five seconds before a bowl of meat stew was placed in front of him.
Then a familiar voice said, "Would you like bread with that, or have we all suffered enough already?"
Everyone turned.
Daichi stood beside the table holding a tray.
He wore an apron.
A very clean apron.
There was a little golden egg embroidered over the chest.
Caelan stared.
Yuto's eyes widened.
"Daichi!"
Daichi's expression shifted instantly from weary resignation to disbelief.
"Yuto?!"
Another figure emerged behind him carrying plates.
Renji.
He wore a dark serving uniform.
With a bow tie.
And a tiny gold egg stitched onto the breast.
Yuto shot out of his chair.
"Renji!"
The tray nearly hit the floor.
Renji caught it at the last moment, shoved it onto the nearest table and grabbed his little brother when Yuto crashed into him.
For several seconds Renji said nothing.
He simply held him.
Yuto buried his face against his chest.
Michael fluttered onto Renji's shoulder.
"I'm here too."
Renji gave a small laugh that broke halfway through.
"I noticed."
Caelan looked toward Daichi.
Daichi's eyes moved across the group.
Luminel.
Stormmane.
Caelan.
Then back to Yuto.
His expression sagged with relief.
"You survived."
Stormmane took another spoonful of stew.
"Debatable."
Daichi stared at the missing arm.
"Oh."
Stormmane nodded.
"That was roughly my reaction."
Vellum had already taken the largest chair at the head of the table and was lounging in it with surprising success considering his shape.
"Reunions are wonderful," he said. "Particularly when everyone orders something."
Daichi rubbed his forehead.
"This is the Boss."
Vellum lifted his teacup.
"Ruler sounds so formal."
Renji gave him a flat look.
"You own half the city."
"More than half."
"That doesn't improve it."
Vellum seemed pleased.
Caelan took the chair opposite him.
Daichi looked from Vellum to Caelan.
There was a brief moment in which he seemed to realize exactly how dangerous this conversation could become.
Then Vellum said, "Before anyone gets suspicious, offended or dramatically protective, let me clarify something."
He gestured toward Daichi and Renji.
"These two are not prisoners."
Daichi opened his mouth.
Vellum raised one claw.
"Financially unfortunate, perhaps."
Daichi closed his mouth.
"They came seeking sanctuary. I provided shelter, food and protection. In exchange, they work."
Renji tugged unhappily at his bow tie.
"That part is unfortunately true."
"Nothing here is free," Vellum continued. "Not meals. Not rooms. Not medicine. Not my security forces."
His golden eyes gleamed.
"Not even my excellent company."
Stormmane whispered toward Luminel, "He really likes himself."
Vellum looked directly at him.
"A sound investment."
Stormmane went quiet.
Vellum sipped his tea. The liquid somehow floated into the darkness inside his shell and disappeared.
Caelan watched this happen.
He decided not to ask.
"So," Vellum said, settling back comfortably, "you require sanctuary."
"Temporarily."
"Food."
"Yes."
"Medical treatment."
Luminel glanced at his missing wing.
"Preferably."
"Information."
Caelan's expression sharpened.
"Definitely."
Vellum tapped one claw against the table.
"Excellent. I sell all four."
Yuto looked worried.
"We don't have much money."
Vellum's gaze shifted toward him.
"Money is merely the most convenient form of payment, little one."
He spread his claws.
"Skill. Labour. Protection. Information. Relics. Services. Favors with clearly defined terms."
He looked toward Caelan.
"Investment opportunities."
Caelan leaned back slightly.
"You've been waiting to say that."
"Since you entered the gate."
That, at least, was honest.
Vellum folded his claws over his shell.
"I need capable people. This city remains orderly because trouble knows it will become expensive the moment it crosses my walls. But the world is deteriorating, and increasingly unpleasant things wander through my territory."
He glanced at Luminel.
"An Elite fairy is useful."
Then Stormmane.
"An Adult fighter with considerable potential."
Then Michael and Yuto.
"A bonded pair with unusual resonance."
Finally Caelan.
Vellum's eyes brightened.
"And you are a business proposal wearing expensive robes."
Caelan stared.
Stormmane choked on stew.
Daichi covered his mouth.
Caelan calmly asked, "What exactly do you want?"
Vellum answered immediately.
"Option one: temporary defensive contracts. You assist my forces when serious threats enter Gilded territory."
"Option two?"
"Relic acquisition."
Renji's head snapped around.
"No."
Vellum looked at him.
"I wasn't asking you."
"I'm warning them."
Daichi nodded immediately.
"Listen to him."
Vellum sighed.
"They had one unfortunate expedition."
Renji stared at him.
"A mountain tried to kill us."
"Technically the mountain was not alive."
"The laser storm coming out of it was."
"That part was unfortunate."
Caelan's eyebrows rose.
Vellum continued as though discussing weather.
"Lost ruins. Ancient vaults. Pre-collapse artifacts. Forgotten weapons. Archive fragments. Things that become substantially more valuable when most of the people capable of manufacturing them have died."
Luminel looked unhappy at the accuracy of that statement.
"You recover something worthwhile, I provide substantial compensation."
Stormmane looked interested.
"How substantial?"
Caelan turned his head.
Stormmane coughed.
"Just asking."
Vellum's golden eyes curved with amusement.
"Good instinct."
He continued, "Do either and your group receives accommodation, food, healing, access to my information network and, depending on the contract, spending money."
Yuto raised his hand.
Vellum looked at him.
"Yes?"
"Are there hot springs?"
Renji closed his eyes.
Daichi muttered, "It's beginning."
Vellum leaned forward.
"There are."
Yuto brightened.
"Private baths?"
"There are."
Michael perked up.
Vellum continued with the gravity of a ruler announcing military policy.
"Premium rooms also include heated floors and throw pillows."
Yuto looked at Renji.
Renji immediately said, "Don't."
"But—"
"That's how it starts."
Stormmane looked confused.
"How what starts?"
Daichi pointed at his apron.
"This."
Caelan looked toward Vellum.
"So we become your defenders or your treasure hunters."
"Temporarily."
"And if we refuse both?"
Vellum shrugged.
"You pay normally."
"We have almost no money."
"Then that would be an inefficient choice."
Caelan's mouth twitched.
Vellum noticed.
"Give me an offer I can't refuse."
Caelan thought about it.
He had information.
Skills.
Knowledge from another universe.
Possibly valuable scientific concepts.
But giving Vellum technology without understanding what he would do with it seemed unwise.
Vellum watched the calculation happening behind Caelan's eyes and looked increasingly delighted.
Then Yuto asked, "What dessert do you have?"
Everyone went silent.
Vellum turned toward him.
"Today?"
Yuto nodded.
"Honey custard, fire-plum tart and iced moonfruit."
Yuto looked at Renji.
Renji sighed.
"You're eating before we decide anything."
"Okay."
Vellum lifted his cup.
"Excellent judgment."
After the meal, Caelan asked for time to speak privately with Daichi and Renji.
Vellum agreed without the slightest resistance.
"Of course."
He rose from his chair.
"I'm nothing if not hospitable."
Daichi stared at him.
Vellum paused.
"And profitable."
"That part I believe."
Vellum drifted away toward the front of the restaurant with his tea, pausing only long enough to remind one employee that a table had been occupied for eleven minutes without ordering anything.
Once he was gone, Renji dropped into the nearest chair.
"Do not take the relic option."
Caelan looked at him.
"That bad?"
Daichi removed his apron and sat heavily beside him.
"We tried a retrieval job because Vellum said it could clear part of my debt faster."
Stormmane stopped chewing.
"You have debt?"
Daichi stared at the table.
"Plates."
Luminel blinked.
"Plates?"
"Collectible plates."
Renji said, "Don't ask."
Daichi continued, "We barely made it through the outer area. Alex got frozen to a wall. Clark was almost flattened by a moving stone structure. I spent ten minutes hiding behind something I later discovered was also trying to kill me."
Caelan considered this.
"So the ruins are dangerous."
Daichi pointed at him.
"That's exactly the sort of calm reaction that gets people to agree."
Renji leaned forward.
"If you're going to work for Vellum, take defensive jobs. At least then you're inside his territory and his forces are nearby."
Luminel nodded slowly.
"He's not wrong."
Stormmane looked disappointed.
"I liked the treasure idea."
"No," Caelan said.
Stormmane slumped.
Daichi glanced at Caelan.
"Still, you've got advantages we didn't."
He counted them off.
"Luminel is Elite."
Luminel gave a tired little bow from midair.
"Caelan is..."
Daichi paused.
Everyone looked at Caelan.
Daichi decided against finishing that sentence.
"And Stormmane's Adult."
Stormmane puffed his chest out slightly.
Renji looked toward Yuto.
"You've been quiet."
Yuto shifted in his chair.
Michael sat beside him nibbling the remains of a roll.
"Something happened."
Renji immediately became alert.
"What?"
Yuto looked down.
"Michael evolved."
Renji relaxed slightly.
"To Lumiel?"
Yuto shook his head.
"Past Lumiel."
Renji stopped.
Daichi stopped.
Even Clark, lying beneath the table, lifted his head.
Yuto continued.
"Hope activated."
Renji stared at him.
"And Michael became Archoniel."
Silence filled the room.
Renji looked at Michael.
Michael gave a small wave.
Renji looked back at Yuto.
"Elite?"
Yuto nodded.
Renji's face cycled through several expressions in quick succession.
Disbelief.
Concern.
Relief.
Pride.
Then something quieter.
"You're eight."
Yuto scratched his cheek.
"I know."
Daichi slowly leaned backward.
"I'm sixteen."
Nobody responded.
"I know first aid. I am planning to become a doctor. I have spent years being responsible."
Clark looked up.
Daichi pointed toward Yuto.
"And the eight-year-old has already pushed his partner to Elite while I fell into a lake and was attacked by seafood."
Yuto looked apologetic.
"It just happened."
Daichi stared at the ceiling.
"Of course it did."
Luminel laughed.
Renji did not.
He was still looking at his younger brother.
Yuto noticed.
"Renji?"
Renji blinked.
Then smiled.
It was small at first.
He reached over and pulled Yuto against him.
"I'm proud of you."
Yuto hugged him back.
Renji's voice became slightly rougher.
"You really have gotten stronger."
Yuto smiled against his shoulder.
Renji hesitated.
"Guess you don't need me protecting you all the time anymore."
Yuto pulled back enough to look at him.
"I'll always need you."
Renji was quiet.
Then he hugged him tighter.
Caelan looked away, giving them what privacy the crowded room allowed.
Daichi cleared his throat a little too loudly.
"Right."
Nobody moved.
He tried again.
"Before this becomes emotional enough for Vellum to charge us by the tear, we should probably decide what we're doing."
Stormmane nodded toward the front of the restaurant.
"Defensive contract."
Luminel agreed.
"For now."
Caelan looked toward Vellum, who was across the room negotiating the price of a delivery while simultaneously drinking tea and correcting an employee's arithmetic.
The demon ruler noticed Caelan looking.
He lifted his cup in greeting.
Caelan's Eyes of Fate showed no immediate betrayal.
Path Maker did not reject the route.
That did not make Vellum trustworthy.
It did, however, make him useful.
And after Arachne, the black hole and days of running while half their group remained scattered across the world, useful was worth considering.
Caelan stood.
"Let's hear his terms."
Daichi immediately pointed toward him.
"Read everything."
Renji nodded.
"Twice."
Caelan looked at both of them.
"Did something happen with a contract?"
Daichi slowly put his apron back on.
"No."
Renji answered at the same time.
"Yes."
Vellum's laughter drifted across the restaurant.
Daichi closed his eyes.
Stormmane leaned toward him.
"Was it the plates?"
Daichi opened his eyes again.
"I hate that everyone knows about the plates."