Chapter 34: Crown Shyness
It was the last day of the Greenskeeper Gathering, and Querida had seen neither hide nor hair of Quartz since she and Thorburn had realized it was in they had been searching for. Come to think of it, she hadn't seen Thorburn since that evening. It appeared after his lapse of rivalry in the excitement of discovering who Quartz was, he had wanted to make it extra clear he and Querida were not working together.
Querida had decided to go with her initial plan to not try to connect with Quartz until after the festival. She was spending the day enjoying the last day of the enchanted forest. It was so peaceful, and she knew she was going to miss it when it went.
It was then that she stumbled across one of the gazebos Quartz had donated to the clan. It looked the perfect picture of serenity, with the still pool inside it and the warm brown wood and red furniture. By the door there was a plaque with loopy pink writing, commemorating the generous donation of Quartz. Querida couldn't help but open the door and sit down on the sofa, enjoying the warmth of the sunlight streaming through the glass.
Querida was almost asleep when she heard a scratching at the door. She opened her eyes to see the manticore sitting by the door, eyes wide in an obvious pleading to be let it. With a smile, Querida slid off the sofa and swung the door open. The manticore stuck its head it, sniffed the air, and then padded in and curled up on the rug next to the pool, purring contentedly.
"Do you have a name?" Querida asked it, settling back down on the couch.
"Not in your tongue." The manticore admitted. "But I wouldn't mind if you gave me one, if that is easier for you."
Querida was shocked. From what she had heard, it was a great honor to be allowed to bestow a name on a manticore, or any beastclan or familiar of similar intellect.
"How does Tess sound?" Querida asked after some thought.
"Tess..." The manticore rolled the name on her tongue with a purr. "I can tell that name has great meaning for you. I appreciate the gift."
"It was what we would have called my brother if he was a girl." Querida admitted. "My parents were pretty set on the name Quintessence. Quin for a boy, Tess for a girl."
"It is an honour to have such a name, thank you Querida." Tess said softly, grinning her sharp grin. it still unnerved Querida a bit. It seemed odd that such a dangerous creature had taken a shine to her.
"Will you go after the festival?" Querida asked. "You are not bound to this place, are you?"
"I am free to go where I please. I followed the forest, I did not come with the other familiars who have gathered around this tower for the celebration of life." Tess admitted. "But if you go, I will go, and if you stay, I will stay by my side. I feel a great heart in you, and a gift deep within. I wish to see how this plays out, and to offer you a certain level of protection."
"I would be honoured, Tess." Querida said, humbled. "I would be glad of your friendship."
"Then it is settled." Tess grinned again. "Our pact has been made. Now, may I ask, what is your quest? I have seen you wandering these woods often, you seem to be searching for something."
"Well, you see-" Querida pulled out the book and her words caught in her breath. The rose quartz on it was glowing, and the book was warm. Tess looked at the book with an intense curiosity, the pink light reflecting in her eyes. Slowly, Querida opened to book to see a new entry, the ink still wet and gleaming pink.
Dear Apprentices Three,
I am ready for you to find me.
You have all gathered by the Tower celebrating life,
Enjoying freedom from your strife,
But now your rest is done
And the real work has begun.
Today your destiny begins.
Find any Gazebo and jump into the pool. They have been enchanted to look much more shallow than they actually are, but any piece of rose quartz from my journals acts as a key to open the portal. You will find yourself in my lair. Remember to keep this location top secret. I have many enemies and I don't want my secrets to fall into the wrong hands. Come quickly, this message will not stay long before fading.
So come to me,
The Merchant,
The Lover,
and The Seeker.
I look forward to meeting you.
-Quartz
"So this is your quest. You have not chosen a simple one." Tess purred thoughtfully. "This will be a lot more interesting than I thought. Let's go, and see what awaits us."
Quartz stood in the round reception room, looking at the round marble portals that lined the perimeter, awaiting the arrival of his potential apprentices. He did love a good competition. Not only did it help enforce loyalty to him, it really brought out the best in his potential apprentices. However, each time he had attempted this, they had all failed him. Many had died trying, and he had been unable to save them. Hopefully, this time would go differently. If he wanted to best his own rival, he needed to build up a strong resistance.
Suddenly, there was a flash of blue light, and a wet ridgeback appeared on one of the marble platforms. He looked confused, and he was dressed in rags, but there was a deep determination in his eyes, and a glint of the naive idealization of youth.
"Kulshan, welcome." Quartz said with a smile, ten switched to a coatl hum, indistinct to the young dragon before him. "A lover, seeking to impress the dragon his heart desires, willing to do anything to win over his one true love."
Before the ridgeback had a chance to respond, there was another flash of light. This time a bogsneak appeared, looking at first triumphant, but his grin faded to a scowl at the sight of Kulshan. He was clearly sizing up his competition.
"Thorburn, greetings." Quartz grinned, switching once again to his coatl tongue. "A merchant, desperate to rise above his station and achieve the success he hungers for more than life itself."
Thorburn dipped his head in respect, but there was a blaze in his eye, like such an act of submission went against his very nature. Just as he lifted his head, there was another flash of blue light, and Querida stepped off the portal, followed by a manticore almost as big as she was.
"Querida, heart of a lion." Quartz didn't even bother greeting her in draconic. With such a companion, she stood apart from the other two by a mile. "They say it is a grand thing when a manticore chooses a dragon companion." He told the young wildclaw, forgetting again to switch from his native language. There was a flash of jealously from the other two, and Quartz suddenly remembered what he had called them in for.
"I may not know much about what it took you to get to this spot, but the fact you are here says a lot about you all. You all show great potential, and I need strong, brave dragons on my team. Even if you don't end up as my apprentice, you may still earn yourself another position in my service, each with its own challenges and awards." Quartz explained. he loved giving these speeches, and to see the eager light flare up in the eyes of those desperate to prove themselves. "It is you choice if you wish to work together or compete against each other, but I will not tolerate sabotage against one another. Loyalty is of the utmost importance. Now, I wish to get to know each of you. Querida, may I speak to you first? Kulshan and Thorburn, you two may go. I will speak with you tomorrow."
"Sit down." Quartz gestured to a seat in his sitting room. The room was adorned with less artifacts than his last mansion but his collection would only grow. With a tentative excitement, Querida took her seat, and Tess curled up beside her, eyeing Quartz with an even, unblinking stare.
"Why me?" Querida couldn't help but blurt out. The question had been stewing in her since Tess had chosen her, and now this? He was looking at her in the strangest way, like he was... impressed? But it was she who should be impressed with him, surely? What did she possess that he liked so much.
"There is something very special about you. A gleam in your eye, a spirit that cannot be broken. You have known challenge coming here, yes?" Quartz asked, pouring Querida a drink. She took it, but was too entranced by all that was going on to take a sip.
"I got separated from my family. My parents were taken hostage by some of your guardians in your light mansion. They thought it was abandoned. They didn't know it was still being guarded." Querida explained. "I've never been much of a thief myself, though my dad taught me a few of his tricks. Since then, I've been traveling alone, until Thorburn found me. He brought me here to Windkeep Tower, and well, you probably can fill in the rest."
"And how did you come by this lovely creature?" Quartz asked, eyeing the manticore, who eyed him back. "A great testament to your potential, is it not?"
"So I've heard." Querida said, shifting awkwardly. "Would you be able to release my parents?"
"I have since fallen out of touch with my partners at my light mansion, but I will do what I can to arrange that, provided they stay away from my mansions in the future. I do not take well to light fingers. Though, with the right direction, yours can come in great handy." For a moment, his eyes gleamed with a hunger, but it faded before Querida could be sure.
"What do you want with me? What can I do for you? To prove myself?" Querida asked, wondering how she fit into all this. Surely she didn't belong in this world, but she wanted to, desperately. There was a cool charm around Quartz, like he could give you everything in the world if he wanted to. Like he could help your dreams come true. Querida didn't know what her dreams were, but she was sure Quartz could help her discover them.
"Well, that just remains to be seen doesn't it?" Quartz asked with a smile. "But in the meantime, I have a preposition for you."
"What is it?"
"I am in need of an apprentice, an heir, that much is true, but there is something I have been seeking far longer. A partner." Quartz explained.
"A romantic partner?" Querida asked, startled. "But we barely know each other! I can't agree to that!"
"No no no, you misunderstand." Quartz flicked his tongue. "I need a partner, but the connection does not necessarily have to be romantic. There is no need for marriage vows. if you fall in love with someone else, you are free to pursue a relationship with them. All I need is your support, your wisdom. You are still young, just reaching your peak years, but you already have a strength about you, and a heart. I tend to get... misguided at times... and I need someone to balance me out, to see where I've left weakness in my plans. Now, nothing is set in stone. You still need to prove yourself, and you do not have to decide now, it is simply an offer for you. A way for you to achieve the greatness your spirit demands."
"What about Thorburn and that ridgeback?" Querida asked. "Why me?"
"Because they are too easily distracted. They both see this as a means to their end. You, however, are seeking nothing else but to better yourself. I like your spirit, and your heart."
"But you barely know me!"
"I know all I need to." Quartz pointed out. "Think about it. You don't need to give your answer right away, but the position is open should you want it."
Querida shakily got to her feet, Tess following her and rubbing against her to support her. The manticore sent Quartz an untrusting look, but said nothing. "Thank you, Quartz." Querida said quietly. "I shall be sure to think over your offer."
@CleverDual @Alwaid @zzzhorses @Skyeset @ScrivenerRook @Kizzan @clarax @lilastar @tigressRising @Disillusionist @Aetherstorm
This update has gotten a lot longer than I was expecting. I hope you enjoy it! We finally have everyone all together! This isn't the end of the arc, there is still more to come, but this is where things really start to get interesting. it's time to start revealing what Quartz really wants.
Hope you all have been enjoying the Greenskeeper Gathering! I know I have!
