22 The First Banquet Under the Hill

  John watches as the fairy departs. Now that she isn't watching anymore, his branches droop. "Can you believe that lass," he complains to Joe. "I only asked for a few mystic herbs, and she acts like I was a beggar asking for spare change!"

  "Buro," Joe says while looking at the plant curiously. "Why do you have to value everything by how good it tastes?" John complains. "Mooro!" Joe responded angrily.

  "Just because you gain strength from eating doesn't mean everything is about food," John sighs. "Also, being able to raise them will make the environment even better. Which is good for the villagers and us," he explains to the uneducated demonic bull. "Anyways, if you eat them before they propagate and grow, there wouldn't be enough even to fill one of your stomachs."

  "Hell, I had to pry that Sentinel Bellflower out of your mouth practically!" John points his branch accusingly at the demonic bull. Joe looks proudly into the sky and snorts. "Now you take credit for finding it? I remember you were in tears when it was taken away by that girl," John laughs.

  "Still, it's a good thing that Elanor is a bit dumb. If she could identify the plant, all the mystery would be gone," John says but is disrupted by Joe's stomach gurgling while still looking proud into the sky. "You! You're still thinking about eating it, aren't you," John cries at this stupid glutton.

  Down below, everyone is looking at the dazzling cultivator. They were worried a fight would break out at any moment. They are all filled with relief when they see Elanor descend without incident.

  Gregory walks over with a servile smile as she lands like a feather. "The meal is prepared. If you are ready, should we began the banquet?" Elanor distracted by the previous conversation only nods to the old man in front of her.

  Gregory doesn't mind the lack of interest. How can he comprehend the minds of cultivators? "This way then, please." He says, gesturing towards the meeting area of the village. They had cleared this place of plants and stamped the ground with wooden poles. It was the only place where the villagers can escape the enveloping plant life.

  Now they have placed stumps for everyone to sit on. In the center, a stove made of stones stands a fire burning brightly inside. They use a big wood pot to create a soup. In the fire sits vegetable shish kabobs grilling. The villagers haven't indulged like this since their escape into the forest.

  Gregory sighs, "I apologize for the lack of accommodations. We're cut off from the world here, so the niceties we can offer are limited." Elanor shakes her head and laughs, "I may not look it, but I'm often roughing it. So there is nothing to fear."

  Elanor looks around while furrowing her brow. "The only thing that is missing is alcohol. This can't be a banquet without a good drink!" She exclaims, nodding with a bright smile. Gregory looks at the beauty awkwardly, "I'm sorry, but we don't have anything like that. It was hard enough to get water for a time."

  "Never fear, Elanor is here!" She says energetically, thrusting her fist in the air, causing her voluptuous chest to bounce dangerously. Men and women alike can't help but be filled with anticipation of the slip. Mellisa wonders, 'are those clothes magic? That's the only explanation for keeping those mountains hidden under the loose fabric.'

  With a twirl, Elanor releases a few bottles of wine from her interspatial ring. Everyone's eyes go wide. They have never seen such a miraculous feat before. "Now we're ready. Let the banquet began!" Elanor says with a wink.

  Laurel hops over to Elanor. "Amazing! How do you make things appear from nowhere?" The girl asks with sparkling eyes. "Haha, It's nothing special. Every cultivator can do it with an interspatial ring." Elanor explains, showing the girl the ring on her finger. "If you work hard, even you….."

  "Oops, you dropped this, Uncle!" Laurel says as she turns, suddenly catching one of the wine bottles. A middle-aged man with a big black beard laughs, rubbing the girl's head. "Thanks. If it weren't for you, I'd have wasted this great gift." He then also nods at Elanor.

  "Don't worry about it! If we need more, I have plenty," Elanor retorts, waving the concerns away. "Anyways, can I really use a magic ring too?" Laurel asks excitedly, pulling on Elanor's colorful sleeve.

  "If you want to learn, anything is possible!" Elanor states while giving a victory pose with a fist in the air. "Well, that's what my master says anyways." She continues sheepishly. "I've never been a fan of books." She finishes giggling while downing a bottle of wine.

  "For now, why don't you introduce me to everyone," Elanor says, grabbing the girl's hand. As Laurel turns away for just a moment, Elanor's eyes turn sharp as she glances at the wine bottle in the bearded man's hand.

  "Well, let's start with this clumsy guy," Laurel giggles while pointing at the bearded man, "He's Wilbur. He was a blacksmith in town. But now, since we don't have metal, he helps build stuff. He also has the youngest kid!" With that, Laurel's nose twitches with annoyance. "It's also the only other girl here. Donna's only five, though, so she's not fun to play with."

  Wilbur strokes his beard, "nice to meet you! I heard your name was Elanor, right?" Elanor nods in affirmation, "That's correct." Wilbur laughs, his big beard shaking as he takes a swig of wine. "Don't be a stranger now that we've become friends. We need a bit of liveliness every once in a while."

  Nearby a small girl yawns. It's long past her bedtime. But how can Wilbur force the girl to miss the excitement? Even with the noise, the girl's eyes are drooping. Laurel brings Elanor over and hugs the girl, lifting her off the ground. "Laurel, don't bully." The girl whines. "You're just so cute, I can't help it," Laurel says mischievously.

  "Anyways, say hi to big sis Elanor!" Laurel says, lifting the little girl, practically smashing the girl's face right into the beauty's face. "Nice to meet you, Donna," Elanor says without retreating.

  "Big sis, too close!" Donna screams, pushing Elanor's face away. Elanor exaggeratedly tumbles back onto her butt. "Wow, you're so strong!" "Not strong," Donna replies, puffing her cheeks and looking away.

  Laurel laughs, putting the girl back down, "She says only boys are strong." Elanor joins the laughter, "I guess you'll have to show her wrong then."

  "Daddy's strongest!" Donna states angrily. "It's true he carried her all the way here," Laurel acknowledges, nodding.

  "It's a parent's job to keep their kid safe," Elanor states, giving both girls a big hug. "Big sis bully," Donna mumbles.

  Wilbur comes over. "Sorry, she's just tired. I suppose it's time for us to call it a night," he says while scooping Donna up into his arms. Donna grabs on to her dad tightly. "Say goodnight," Wilbur prompts. "Nigh, nigh," Donna mumbles, already half asleep in her dad's arms. Elanor waves bye as they head to one of the shacks.