The Chimera Summoner – ch 18 (part 1/2)
Ch 18 –
I was reeling in my seat.
Being confronted with the memory of Wally was the last thing I expected. Oddly, the sheer shock brought my tears to a halt.
I stared at the envelope.
“Why are you giving his will to me?” I asked, nonplussed. “Does the church need it signed or something?”
Valant hesitated. She looked confused. Which I hadn't seen from her yet.
“Because you are the sole beneficiary.” she said.
I blinked. I silently tried to make sense of her words.
“I see.” Said Valant.
I looked up.
She sat straight and spoke slowly. “Your late guardian, Wallace, has bequeathed his every worldly possession to you. This may come to you as a surprise as members of a clergy without family will often give their things to their respective church or to a charity in the event of their passing.”
I nodded. That had been Wally’s plan.
“So something went wrong?” I asked. “Let me talk to the executor, I know who he’d want to have it.”
I knew his favorite charities by heart. Fucker had talked about them often enough.
Valant shook her head.
“His will was extremely clear how he wanted his wealth allocated.” She said, firmly. “You may read it for yourself.”
I ripped open the envelope and started scanning the papers. It was only a couple pages long. To Eir. To Eir. To Eir. Each item individually earmarked exclusively to me. Only one had a note of any length.
“Mr. Everfield has designated the majority of his holdings to be liquidated and the proceeds added to your accounts.” Valant went on as I read. “The notable exception is his personal home and land holdings in and around Emberdome, respectively.”
“Wally didn't have Land holdings.” I argued.
The man had been far from wealthy.
Valant silently laid a finger on an item on the list of possessions.
It denoted a tiny plot of land outside the town.
“I don't know where this is?” I shook my head.
Had he had some secret little plot of land?! And why?! It was so small, I couldn't think what its value could have been to him.
Valant produced a mundane map of the area and carefully found the appropriate coordinates, outlining them for me in red.
I felt like the whole sky had fallen on me.
It was my little hidden camp in the woods outside of town. My camp and a couple hundred feet around it. Tucked away in the foothills. The camp I had haunted since childhood. That I was certain no one had ever known about. Wally had known. And he'd made sure it would be mine forever.
I shook. I felt like I was crying but no tears came.
I sensed concern from both of my familiars, coursing down our bonds. Even from Lorna, with whom I shared a newer and weaker connection, the feeling was so strong that I could clearly sense her. She was there, solid and dependable.
The sum of the will was a little bit of money, his home in Emberdome, and my little haunt in the woods.
And a single note from him.
“You will always have a place here. Always.”
I grasped the desk like I was at sea in a storm.
I had never felt so lonely in my life. The absence of him. I didn't know what to do with the gaping chasm in my chest. It was ripping me open.
There was a swirl of magic around me. Two arms wrapped tightly around me.
I startled in surprise at Valant.
But she was behind her desk.
Lucy squeezed me tight. Clothed this time, thankfully.
Cool air fell onto my other shoulder and I found Lorna hovering over us protectively. She placed a solemn hand on my cheek, solid for a moment then vanishing as she withdrew it.
I buried my face in Lucy’s shoulder and sobbed.
Valant silently stepped out of the office, giving us privacy, for which I was incredibly grateful.
I wept for a long time under my familiars’ care.
“This is a beautiful legacy.” Said Lorna in her solemn dignified voice.
I found her reading the will over my shoulder as her hand periodically stroked my shoulder when she could.
“I wish we’d gotten a chance to know him.” Lucy said, squeezing me over and over on my hand, my shoulder, my arm, and again.
I laughed, snottily. “You would have given him a heart attack, bouncing all over the place all the time.”
Lucy hung her head. “I'm sorry.” She sniffed. “I wanted to make you happy but I made a big problem for you.”
She seemed truly torn up. From our bond I felt an enormous regret that she was trying to hold off in order to be with me through the new big feeling I was having.
I held her in my arms and squeezed as hard as I could until she gave a little yelp and batted at my arms. I released her and held her cheeks.
“No more showing up naked.” I instructed firmly.
She nodded, eyes still welling.
“If I want you naked, I will undress you.” I continued.
She nodded more hopefully.
“Never in a public place or in front of random students I don't know.” I clarified. I wanted no more confusion on that front.
“I thought it would be funny.” She admitted miserably.
I blinked.
Then let my head fall back and laughed.
It was so bizarre to feel such mirth in the midst of my grief, but it was like coming up for air after swimming too deep in the ocean.
I gasped and giggled and cried. Lucy protested and prodded at my ribs.
“Don't laugh!” She insisted. “A lot of people think I'm really funny! People laughed! Surprise titties are funny!!”
I squirmed evading her pokes.
“They are.” I said. “But let's keep jokes like that to just us, ok? I'm not sharing you with the whole school.”
Lucy looked worried. “But you are sharing me with soooome people? People we like?”
I nodded. “Of course. If we both agree on them.”
Lucy smiled and pushed her squishy cheek into mine. Then we shared a soft kiss.
“Same goes for you, Lorna.” I added over my shoulder.
Lorna blushed and covered her cheeks in an aristocratic way.
“That's not necessary.” She insisted, looking embarrassed.
“Oh?” I probed. “You don't want more playtime with Lucy, then?”
Lorna snapped her hands to her sides indignantly.
I laughed, and Lucy cooed happily.
Lorna scowled, lifting her graceful nose into the air. “Lucy doesn't count as sharing.” She proclaimed. “We share the same bonder. It would be inappropriate for us not to share every aspect of our lives.”
“Including playing with Eir’s fat cock.” Nodded Lucy.
I snorted.
Lorna huffed and muttered something, turning away slightly.
“What's that?” Lucy pressed.
“Including playing with Eir’s fat cock.” She muttered at a barely audible volume.
A pause.
“We must get to work leveling!” She burst out.
“You want to be able to maintain your physical body so you can get fucked too!” Lucy giggled.
Lorna turned so icy blue around her cheeks that if she'd been human it would've been the final stages of frostbite. Cold air fell from her and pooled mistily on the floor.
“It's important for any number of reasons.” She insisted.
A gentle rap at the door. I froze. I had nearly forgotten that we were stealing Valant's office.
“Come in!” I called, scrambling to get the door.
Valant reentered, eying us up and down then nodding and taking her seat.
“I'm glad to see you are well taken care of.” She said.
Lucy giggled and I elbowed her sharply.
“Thank you.” I agreed. “We are working on how to be better partners. The incident from today won't be repeated.”
Lucy had the good sense to look contrite. And Lorna always had the appropriate look about her. The ghost woman was a diplomat. I would have to learn some of that from her.
Valant nodded. “A lack of communication.”
“Very much so.” I winced.
“Your communication with your familiars will be a life and death connection, just like with a party of other humans. Yours are bonded familiars, yes?”
She eyed my odd familiars critically.
I nodded.
“Communication is a Wayfinder's single most important skill.” She proclaimed. “Therefore, let me be clear. If you lose control of your familiars in the dungeon, it will kill you.”
She leveled us with a severe look. Then relented.
“I have one other matter to discuss with you.” Valant said. “Do you feel able? We may schedule a separate–”
I shook my head. “I’m good. What’s up?”
Valant raised a brow.
“What’s up, professor Valant?” I tried.
She snorted.
I nearly leapt out of my chair, at her casual noise.
Then she sobered. “Your Class.”