8 While (Half of) the Children are Away

The next few days were especially uneventful for Avery. Adventurers has yet to return from Stone Monkey Ridge so her tavern was rather barren. The occasional visitors would order a few drinks or a quick meal. They would then stand in front of the mission board for a few moments before rushing off at light speed.

Even with the large population that Forest Valley Fort housed, the sparsity of adventurers coming through Frontier's doors was out of the ordinary. Then again, with the mission posted by the Alchemist Guild coupled by the uncharacteristically large influx of wild beast, the lack of guests isn't really much of a surprise.

Large numbers of the adventurers had rushed to Cayne Woods which was bordered by the Western perimeter. Many of those adventurers had accepted Sweeping jobs from the Sweepers. Others had wanted to try their luck on their own. Even Lesser Guilds had taken this opportunity to strengthen their people.

Nevertheless, wild beast are a good source of income. Their pelts, meat, and even bones were highly sought out materials. Setting aside the meat, their skin and bones could be used to make various weapons and armors. Adventurers, much less the Lesser Guilds, would never pass up the opportunity to better their livelihood.

During this period, Avery spent most of her time busying herself in the kitchen. Since her employees had returned for their usual work, Avery didn't need to tend to the customers herself. Instead, she poured most of her energy on the creation of her new dish.

"Tsk!" Avery couldn't help but click her tongue when faced with another round of failures. She haplessly threw the used pots into the sink.

She took off her apron and tossed it onto a countertop. Avery unrolled her sleeves and decisively left the kitchen.

She felt that if she sets her sight on another piece of boar meat her frustration might just push her into the brink of insanity! ... Exaggerations aside, Avery knew that forcing in more experiments would not help her progress. What she needed was a change of pace.

Walking into her tavern, Avery caught sight of a familiar blonde mop busying himself with wiping down the already spotless tables.

"Ansel, you don't have to clean up something that's already clean."

The boy raised his head and a radiant smile came into view. Even the coarse clothed vest he wore could not hide the young lad's brilliance.

"Don't mind me, Miss Avery. I just want to have something fill my hands."

On his left shoulder hung a newly coated badge. Avery raised her brows at the sight of its white gloss.

'Oh? Not bad. This kid is more impressive than I thought he would be.'

She didn't comment further on the topic. The boy's excitement was clear for her to see.

"Where are Cara and Benjamin?" It didn't escape her that the two who shared that day's shift with Ansel had disappeared from the tavern.

"Cara took the opportunity to refill the pantry. Benjamin brought a stack of papers next door," Ansel resumed his dust purging mission as he spoke.

She gave him a quick nod even if the boy couldn't see. Avery then informed her apprentice of her plans to depart.

Avery made her way up the stairs to her home. On the third step, she paused as if remembering something.

"Congratulations on your promotion to Porcelain."

The distinct squelch of wet cloth on wood halted for a moment before continuing with renewed energy.

Stepping into her home, Avery initially wanted to call out to her youngest familiar. But she changed her mind when she noticed the gryphon's intent gaze on the fifty-two cards neatly arranged in grids. At times Bolt would flip a pair of cards and either set them aside or flip them back.

'It seems like Bolt really hates to lose.'

One of the things that Avery would make her familiars play was Memory. It was one of the way she would train her familiars without the hassle of increasing their stress from their physical training sessions.

The card game also served as a way to promote a healthy competition between her familiars. Avery would allow her pets to compete against each other for the right to make a decision for things like the day's meal, who could have the next turn for a toy, or whatever item that they couldn't agree on purchasing.

Without the presence of his two brothers, Bolt could finally play to his heart's content. He didn't have to worry about anyone of the two disturbing him with their antics.

Since Bolt was taking initiative to better his memory, Avery resolved to let him be. It was good to let him decide how he wishes to arrange his training regime so long as he properly finishes all his tasks. Doing so would only boost his drive for further improvement and lessen his mental strains in the long term.

Avery left a note in an easily noticable spot for Tomoyo informing the warrior that she wouldn't be home for dinner.

After settling a few other things for Tomoyo and her beast familiars, Avery walked into her room and opened her closet. She groped her way to find the camouflaged switch at one side.

If her sensitivity to sound was even one point lower, Avery wouldn't have heard the hushed clicks of gears at work.

The back of the closet parted to reveal an unlit passage. Avery entered the narrow hall and the wall closed behind her. The passage brought her to a different section of the building with a small room.

Avery pulled out a common [Illumination Stone] from her inventory and placed it into one of the grooves along the walls. Streaks of light suddenly poured out of the [Illumination Stone]. It filled the lines that were carved into the stone walls, giving a picturesque scene of moving lights and floating runes.

There was no array of colors or bold statements. No. There was only light. Only a mother's hum as she wrote a lullaby on the sky.

On a table to the side was a cloak and a mask. The cloak was rimmed with gold and silver stitches. The needle work on the cuffs depicted a battle of ice and fire. A gold chain hung from one shoulder to the other, keeping them in place.

The mask was white. It had no distinguishing features save for the red lines and curves that stood on end. Had it not held the vicissitudes of blood and battle its surface would have been a smooth curve similar to that of an egg.

Avery ran her fingers along its scars as though they were her own.

Avery donned her cloak and wore her mask. It was time for work.

She left through a different passage with a steadfast pace. A gleam could be seen through the only two holes for her eyes.