102. Up to speed

The trio talked until the sun was at its apex the next day before they started to head back towards the manor. The three of them felt like it was long ago and that things were great in the world. They decided that they would introduce her as someone that they had traveled with in the last couple of years and they used an old item that trigger when two pieces got close enough together to track each other down.

They were almost back to the manor house when something seemed to cross Novum's mind. "Oh, before I forget there is something that you need to know. Through no fault of my own there are a bunch of what many people would consider beautiful women that work in and around the manor. Actually five of my closest advisors are all women."

"Why would this bother me?" There was a little color in her cheeks. She had a bit of a jealous streak in her last life.

"I did not want yo u to get the insane idea that I was trying to build a harem or something. They were each hired by me because they are some of the best at what they do. It just so happens that I am one of the only people that does not care what gender a person is as long as they can do the job."

"Well you have gotten a lot better about that over the last few years. I am actually proud of you for that."

"Shannon how could he spend all those years with you and not know how strong a woman can be. And he has my five ex-wives to prove how evil women can be."

"Those are all your fault Theren. So, they are pretty enough that you felt that you had to warn me about them so they must be very pretty."

"None of them are as pretty as you are. Well, Emily might be but she is a special case. But honestly they were all hired to do a job and don't say it, no I am not the job. Berry and Erica are both mages. Berry does protective spells and Erica is a fire mage. Crystal is a priestess and an alchemist that makes healing potions and the like for the people of the city."

"Oh, Topaz, well it is best to not talk about Topaz." He leaned over real close to her and whispered. "She is my spymaster. And then Jane and few of the others are cooks. There is also Melissa, who is the head steward at the manor. She came highly recommended."

"You are forgetting one?"

"Who am I forgetting Theren?"

"Aureus."

"Well she does not work for me and is not currently located on the manor."

Shannon looked at him. "Who is this Aureus?"

"She is the daughter of a local Earl that I get along with really well. I saved her from being imprisoned after being kidnapped by another Earl who was accidently doing the bidding of a cult."

"Is she pretty?"

"Honestly she is gorgeous."

"So, why did you not tell me about her?"

"That one is easy. I have more to be worried about that you when it comes to her."

"Oh. That is rather progressive of you Novum. Are you sure?"

"Sure enough that I know that I am not on her radar and look at me. In this world I am awesome."

"Yeah, let's just keep feeding that ego."

"Hey, I saw you looking to see if you could get a peek at these abs. But seriously she does live in the house that I own in the city and use as a gate to get back and forth in the event that I need something in a hurry. I had a teleportation array built between the two."

"Things like that still amaze me. So, do you have a place that I can stay until I can get my own place or am I out in the cold?"

"I might have an extra room that you will find acceptable. And if push comes to shove my bed is big enough for the both of us." He gave her a wink and kept on moving.

"You have been here a year and have a place big enough that you are confident that you have a room that will satisfy me?"

About that time the top of the towers came into view. Novum pointed at it. "I am pretty sure that this will be big enough." He pointed towards them and drew her attention to them.

"That, that is your house. I thought that you were a minor noble that had come into a bit of luck. That is the way that you describe it. I got lucky enough to get a title and gain some small things from it."

"Well compared to dukes and kings this is only a small thing. Honestly it looks a lot bigger from here. Once you get close you realize that it is not that impressive."

"Yeah like I believe that. So, back to what we were talking about what about this Emily that Theren mentioned earlier?"

"What about here? Oh, just wait until you meet her. That was Theren being an asshole while also being completely right." They were getting a lot closer and came to a Y in the road. Shannon expected them to go to the right to get to the manor but he went down the left path. "This is the path that will take you to Emily. Figured we should get that out of the way."

When they go to the end of the trail there was a small cottage that was surrounded by trees bushes and flowers. Honestly if you were not looking for it it would be hard to find. The old lady that lived there preferred it that way. As they got close Novum and Shannon climbed down off of Noctis and walked.

They were almost to the opened in the hedgerow when an area beside them seemed to open up and a small form darted out and jumped in the air towards Novum. Novum snatched the form out of the air and pulled it into a big hug.

"Hello Novum. How are you today? Did you happen to bring me and candy?"

"Hello Miss Emily. I am good as I ran into an old friend of mine today and wanted her to get to come and meet you. And I left in such a hurry that I did not bring any candy. But I will punish myself accordingly and bring you candy and a toy next time."

The girl realized that Novum was with someone new and tired to hide her face. She peaked out and saw Shannon. Before she could stop herself she said, "so pretty." She then hid her face again. The color rose in Shannon's cheeks before she could stop it.

"Hello Miss Emily. My name is Shannon and thank you for saying I am pretty. You are a very beautiful little girl."

Emily poked her head out again. She leaned over and picked one of the big green buds on a bush and Novum could feel some energy moving in the little girl. The bud bloomed into a huge red rose. She handed it to Shannon. "Thank you so much it is beautiful." Shannon quickly picked off the few thorns and put it in her hair.

"Did Granny teach you that?" Novum asked the little girl.

"Of course I did. Is there another archdruid in the area that I am not familiar with."

"Of course not Granny. I was using that as a way for Emily to be more comfortable around the Shannon. She a friend of mine and she is going to be here for a while and I was trying to speed up the process. You know, you should spend a little less time talking to plants and animals and a little more time talking to mortal beings."

"What in the world would I want to do something like that for. Not put my pupil down, she has some more studying to do before she is free to go today."

Novum kissed the little girl on the top of her head and then put her down. "You better go and study we both know how Granny can be. I will make sure that I have candy and a toy ready for you."

"Thanks Novum. Good bye Lady Shannon." The girl turned and ran back into to the hedge.

Shannon thought it was weird that the girl did not say anything to Theren only to look around and realize that he was gone. He split off at the split in the road and she did not even notice.

Novum looked at Noctis. "Head on back to the stable. We will walk from here." Noctis trotted towards the stable without any hesitation. "It is a nice walk. I thought I should tell you a little about Emily and a ride would be to quick."