Acting star Ch 20

Mathilda was getting ready for field work. Her gray hair was in a tight braid, her clothes simple, but neat. She would never do blessings in Ostrara's name while looking disheveled. Her big coat almost covered her shin. It was only October, yet the cold was already creeping in the houses. If they wanted to preserve the freshly sowed seedlings to survive the harsh cold she had to use a lot of divine power.

"Where does an old hag go out in the crack of dawn?"

Tealla was leaning onto the wall as he observed the shaman. It was pretty unusual for both to be up so early except if they didn't sleep at all, which was the case this time around.

"Not everyone has so much free time as our little peacock. Go back to bed. Aren't you missing your beauty sleep?"

"I don't need cheap tricks to stay as gorgeous as I am."

The mage striked a pose, but Mathilda just shook her head. The man in fact was truly a natural beauty, only if his personality was humble, he would have found a partner already.

"Rejoyce! This beauty will accompany you."

Mathilda just nodded. They were at each other’s throat most of the time, but deep down Tealla was the most comfortable around her. Even now she was sure that the man needed some company to calm his ever-spinning mind.

The streets of Norning were oddly loud. People have been working on the aftermath of the fire still. Even if it was quite far away the workers shouted loudly, as if they wanted everyone to know what was happening.

"The men of Darius are doing their job I see. He is after all a capable man."

"Maybe to you it seems that way, but I don't like him one bit."

Tealla was taken aback from the sudden statement. It was unimaginable to him how would Mathilda hate anybody in this world. She was like everyone's granny.

"Well, he can be a bit too much, but Dime doesn't mind it."

"Ha... It's not because how he interacts with others. How should I say? He has a divine mission, and he gets around doing anything but that."

The mage could understand it a bit better now. Mathilda's whole life centers around one thing and that is to serve Ostrara. The dismissing of divinity is like a kick in the stomach for her.

"I'm not sure what you mean. Is he also a proxy?"

"Yes...and no. He should be but avoids it. Do you know who Hermeseth is?"

Tealla nodded. Who wouldn't have heard of the God of merchants? Especially in the house they live in.

"That guy Darius is also a fae folk. He has blood in him from Gnome, albeit thin. Hermeseth has asked me to persuade him to become his proxy. But whenever I bring it up, he refuses it firmly."

Tealla knew that something was up with the guy. He was just too good at construction without becoming a Master but now it made more sense. He didn't become a Master because he couldn't gain divinity of his own since he originates from a manaborn.

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"But why refuse to be a proxy? I thought that was the biggest thing for a fae folk."

"It is, but just like everything in life, it has a downside too. He doesn't want to succumb to a deity."

Succumbing to a deity. Those are heavy words. To be on the edge all the time because of a God's whim is a hard life, honorable but hard.

"His mission would also help the Lady, but he just waits for her to commission him with the work."

"And what would that be?"

"Building roads. A shit ton of roads. So that every soul can find their way to the sanctuary."

Silence fell between them. They both knew what that meant. It was a big project for sure, but an incredibly important one. Tealla finally understood why Mathilda had such a bad opinion of Darius.

***

Kaga opened the carriage door to unload the luggage. There was nothing too heavy for him. Most of it were empty suitcases to make them look like they came from far away. Dime was already looking around like an innocent young lady.

Her dress was a true masterpiece. The green fabric hug her arms and chest elegantly while the hem of her long skirt was decorated with pearls and lace. Other than her mouth not one inch of her body was left uncovered like usual, but the cut of her dress made her seem very suggestive. Her hair was made in an elegant half updo, and her usual black mask was switched for a white one. She absolutely looked like a noble.

Kaga still had to get used to the figure-hugging outfit, but he could feel just how tremendous effort and planning went into each of them.

"Two rooms please. Next to each other."

She had real talent for acting. She looked like a lady who was trying to be seen as someone serious but was actually nervous and childish. The whole inn was looking at her. The costumer base was mostly soldiers and working man, but the kind that wouldn't openly make comments about a noble.

"Of course, my Lady. Should we help with the luggage?"

"Yes, uhm no! My serv- I mean friend will take care of it, thank you. Would you show us the room?"

The owner nodded and showed them around a little bit. Everyone sat tight until they were done. Dime and Kaga got two rooms that had a door between them.

"You are very considerate good Sir."

When the owner left Dime switched back to her usual self.

"What is it?"

"Frankly I'm surprised."

"Don't be. It's just that I had this client whose daughter acted just like this. She was only thirteen, but she would only wear red or purple. Jet she would get so nervous around strangers that she would stutter. She was pretty cute."

Dime smiled while bringing back memories. Kaga found it hard to believe that his always serious master who was all about business and could kill anyone like it's nothing was beside him.

"Anyways, back to work shall we. We didn't come to just fool around after all."

They went downstairs where the bar and restaurant were. All eyes were on her as if she cast a spell on them. Dime looked for a table with lots of rough handed man and approached them acting timid.

"Excuse me, gentlemen. May I...we join the conversation?"

"Sure thing. I mean of course Lady. What brings you to this humble part of the city?"

Dime smiled sheepishly. Kaga nearly gasped but managed to act as if he was just an escort of a young noble Lady undercover.

"Don't call me Lady, just address me...call me as Gina. I came to find a great blacksmith for my ser- friend."

"That's great Gina, you've come to the right place. Name's Peter by the way. What kind of sword is your friend use?"

"He uses a really big and wide sword, so big I can't even lift it. He doesn't even let anyone touch it and get flustered when I do. Says It's too dangerous for someone as small as me"

The men around the table burst out laughing. Kaga's face looked like he wanted to hide under a rock.

"Did I say something weird?"

Dime sheepishly asked.

"No Gina, it's just a man thing. It must have been a nice sword brother, haha. However it's called a great sword. I tell you something, if you want one of those, go to Master Tazen. You will not get anywhere else the quality he makes."

"That's so nice of you Peter, tell me more about the things around here."

Her mouth curved upwards as she complimented the men along with making them drink more and more. Soon the gossip they told could fit into a book. Kaga just shook his head and drank a beer himself.