Ero Skill Tree

Chapter Eighty-Four: The Evening Ends

Altria and I had been standing at the back of the party, just watching the everyone socialise, for about half an hour. All of a sudden, the entire room's attention was drawn to the far end. Someone had started banging a spoon against a glass, as if they wanted to give a speech. The crowd in the room moved a little and I could finally see who it was that had drawn everyone's attention. Once everyone was quiet, she began to speak.

"I hope you don't mind me saying a few words Serin?" Lisa asked before she began.

"Not at all, please do." Serin said giving the go ahead.

"Thank you. I promise it won't be long. I just felt as the head of the guild here, it would be appropriate for me to say something... So, on that note, I know that everyone here knows what these four achieved on their last quest. Seeing that the victories against the forces of the Demon Lord are far and few between, I'd like to raise a toast to the people of the hour. Please join me in congratulating them."

Lisa stopped talking and there was a round of applause from the room as everyone in sight raised their glass in appreciation to us. It was something I really wasn't expecting to see. After everyone quietened down Lisa continued.

"I don't have much more to say, but let us all hope that this is only the first in a series of victories from them. I know it's too soon to be looking far ahead, but I would like to hope that this is just the beginning in a change of fortunes. Thank you."

Lisa stepped back into the crowd and the party continued just how it had been before. She really only did just say a few words. Still, it was nice to hear.

The party ran on for a few hours after Lisa's speech. I spent a lot of the time trying to avoid being the centre of attention, hanging back and drinking with Altira out of the way. Every now and then Lillia and Serin would come and find me. Either to bring someone over that wanted to know more about what happened or about me, or to pull me away to talk with someone in the crowd.

At some point, when I had returned from talking to a group of noble women Altria had disappeared somewhere. I just expected that she had found someone to talk to herself. By this point the party was starting to thin out a little as the guests gradually started to leave. Only the more enthusiastic members were still here. After some time, Altria returned.

"You decided to socialise in the end?" I asked as she joined me again.

"Not really. I was just organising something." She replied.

"Organising what?"

"Oh, you'll find out sometime." She said a little aloofly.

I felt like questioning her more, but before I could ask any further questions, I was interrupted by Serin and Lillia returning.

"I see you two are both still hanging back here." Serin said as she joined us.

"Well, this isn't really my sort of thing..." I answered.

"I know, not to worry. You did speak to everyone that you needed to. The party will be over soon, I was wondering what you all wanted to do after?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well, I've had rooms prepared for all three of you. So, you are welcome to stay here if you wish?"

I was quite keen to see what the bedrooms in such a fancy place were like.

"Thank you, I wouldn't mind staying over. Saves me heading back to the guild." I answered.

"What about you two?" Serin said turning to Lillia and Serin.

"I'll take you up on the offer." Answered Altria.

"Okay, I will too if everyone else is staying over. Will be better than getting a carriage back alone." Replied Lillia.