Published at 1st of August 2026 7:55 am

Chapter THREE HUNDRED: Small News at the Pitcherhouse

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Moshk, you bank stalker, Ill have half your thoughts and all your voice for the small news! The speaker was dressed in an open-backed shirt that was gradually shifting colors to match the skys march toward night. She dropped a cylinder as long as her forearm on the table next to Moshks but went to sit at his, turning a chair so that her feet in their silver and gold sandals could stick out toward the pavilions edge. They were just telling us Esh-erdi passed earlier, playing with that terackerin he got for his nieces.

She pointed a ring-adorned finger behind her toward the group shed arrived with. One man and three women were standing at the back of the pavilion talking to the people preparing the nights food and drink. The flyer theyd arrived in was being loaded with a delivery for someone else.

Hes here, Moshk confirmed.

And Lind-otta?

City.

And the human?

What do you need a bank stalkers gossip for, Dazm, if youve already heard it all from others?

So he has brought a human! The betting was on some surprise coming back with them as a souvenir from Earth. I was hoping for a date palm, or something musical for this place. Maybe an elephant, just for a day. Id like to see one in person, but I wouldnt want the creature to be much inconvenienced.

You should just go to Earth yourself with a list like that. And what are you all doing here at our pitcherhouse dressed for a revelers night? Youll make your neighbors feel dull.

The plan was to have a revelers night in Wathe for Kayda. Shes home from working the line on Tympeh. One week in the house with her loving mother worrying over her was too much. Im taking her out to prove I can be fun instead of fussy. She looked back at one of the women shed come with. But as we were dressing, she started reminiscing about this old place like it was the fondest part of her childhood instead of somewhere she complained about if we brought her twice in ten days. So here we are instead to start our night, and youre welcome to compliment us all more.

Ill compliment everything about Hntyon Kayda, especially her patience with someone as difficult as you, Moshk joked. But what is there to compliment you on?

Are Esh-erdi and Lind-otta home for a while now? Dazm asked, only huffing at the gibe. The last I heard was about that issue with Anesidora. I dont keep up as well as I should.

Theyre still assigned to Earth. Half duty, half pleasure at this point. Theyre back here for quick business and a family visit. And for the human, I think. Esh wants to give the boy a treat. A pleasant trip to soothe his nerves after all hes been through is the sense I have of it.

Whats this? Dazm asked. The humans not an Avowed helping with something?

Oh no. Moshk shook his head. Not that at all.

At the table beside them, Dazms group was pulling out chairs and setting down drinks. They each carried cylinders like the one she had brought, all decorated differently. The man opened his and tipped it over, allowing brightly colored game pieces to spill out.

Its that human boy you might have heard about, said Moshk. The one the Quaternary found on Moon Thegund. Only thirteen or fourteen. An Avowed for mere days before he was trapped there with an even younger child. Nearly pulverized by Hntyon Alis-arths power since she didnt know he was there.

Dazm gasped. I had heard the story, naturally, but not that part.

From what I understand, if the Quaternarys first meal that day hadnt been a leisurely one, both children wouldve been buried alive as they ran to her for help. Its luck that they werent, but I dont think good luck finds that human as often as bad considering what happened to him when he made it back home. You might not have heard that part at all? Its to do with the undhs, but its hard to run across an undh who wants to talk about another undhs personal issues. One of their most promising young people couldnt bring herself to choose the highest path and couldnt trust herself to live as a votary, and she skipped over the other options to join the ordinary class and work on Anesidora.

He looked down at an arriving boat.

I know who youre talking about, Dazm said, lowering her voice. Very talented. Very. And Zeridee-undh was such a sweet girl. Id feel better about her eschewing wizardry if she hadnt gone to be a pretend votary in a pretend Rapport like that. Its too close to what she couldve been to be the right step down.

Moshk turned a flabbergasted face back toward her. Are you calling Anesidora a Rapport? Theyre nothing alike!

Of course they arent! But serving a country of Avowed, serving a community of knightsits as votarylike a position as a girl who gave up on being a part of our world could find, dont you think?

I dont, said Moshk.

Well, I do, and its sad. Whats the news about her?

She almost died somehow in that Anesidora disaster. The details are unclear to me for now, but she was with the Quaternarys human. Esh and Lind-otta saved both of them!

Not the same human!

The same. Moshk reached for his cup and cradled it in both hands. So Esh took an interest in the boy, and now hes here for a day of healing rest. He was learning to direct the terackerin earlier, and he went to see the rocks with my daughters little class. Theyre coming back this way noway, actually thats them in the distance! Looks like theyre dropping one of the poythe familys children off at their dock.

Dazm and Moshk both stood and leaned to see better down the river toward the group of figures on top of the terackerin. A couple of the people whod arrived with Dazm stepped over to look, too.

Poor Ryeh-bt, one of them said. What a fear-filled introduction hes had to magic and our kind!

Thats truth. But he couldnt have met better than Esh. He seems all fun, but hes dearly kind. I once saw him try to modify a potion to save a lacefin that had been struck by an oar.

Does a lacefin thats been struck by an oar need saving? Dazm asked. Dont they tend to wake up and swim off after a bit?

We shall say that one needed it because it didnt survive the potion, said Moshk. And when the terackerin stops here to deliver my daughter, we shall treat the human Esh has brought with soft voices and no alarming spells. In one of his messages to me earlier, he said hed invited the human on this soothing trip to prepare him for a minor secrecy tattoo, so even something like that fills the boy with such trepidation that Esh goes to these lengths.

The child is traumatized, said a wizard sitting two tables over, who had been pretending not to listen in until now.

Is he seeing a mind healer?

That Porti-loth went with Esh-erdi and Lind-otta, but does he know humans well enough?

His name is Alden.

Im sure it was Porti-loth.

I mean the humans name!

He may not even speak to us. I wouldnt be surprised.

A third of the people under the pavilion were now watching for Esh-erdis terackerin and its alien passenger, either outright or through a subtle eye.

Porti-loths name had caught Moshks attention, and he turned to Dazm again. A date palm is some Earth tree according to the translation. If you were hoping for one of those, you should really see what Esh has had planted recently. When that healer was curing the boy of his physical injuries, he

Shushing hisses came from three different directions.

Theyre close now! Dont let them hear you, Moshk.

You said soft voices yourself.

The watchers were overeager. The terackerin Ploomp was in no hurry. Everyone had to wait through an awkward, self-commanded silence while Esh-erdi, Alden Rye-bt, and the three children came toward them.

Finally, the human was giving the animal docking instructions in a cautiously enunciated voice. The watchers all smiled gently down on him.

Esh-erdi was listening to something his nieces were telling him about their day as Moshks daughter climbed the ladder up from the water to her father. And then the nieces were climbing up as well. There was a barely noticeable stir through the crowd. Esh-erdi must be stopping here for longer than theyd expected. Would the human brave the ladder, too?

He did! Though it looked not much at all like bravery. More like a tall, not-quite-Artonan youth in a rush to get up to where they stood. When he was among them, he looked around.

A couple of people started to welcome him, but Dazms daughter Kayda swooped ahead of them.

Hello, she said softly. Welcome to the pitcherhouse on Wathes Ribbon. Were glad youre here. If theres anything you need or anything causing you discomfort, please say so.

The human boy nodded at her. Thanks. Im here to eat and drink one of everything that wont hurt me, as long as it isnt made of animals. Do I order from you, or do I go over to the counter back there?

The knight, dressed for her revelry instead of in her uniform, shot both eyes in different directions, looking for advice, before saying. Mostmost people would ask at the counter. But I did say Id help. So, I could get you

No sweat, the human said mysteriously. Except the literal kind from me. Sorry. I mean thank you for telling me. Im here to do the pitcherhouse, so Ill order the way most people would.

He marched a few steps toward the counter, then stopped and turned back around. The erdis are planning to have my leftovers, but should I get anything for anyone else? I can carry a lot.

Whydo you think the erdis will only consume what youve left? Kayda asked

Because they said they were just going to eat and drink everything I dont like or cant have much of. So that I dont feel bad about wasting it.

I see. My sausage bread should be ready, Kayda said.

Ill bring it for you. Whats your name?

HKayda.

Everyone whod been paying attention to the interaction was now staring at her.

Hello, Hakayda. Im Alden, he said brightly.

Its just Kayda! I misspoke.

All right. Kayda.

Kayda-lin, I mean!

Kayda-lin, Alden repeated. Got it.

He waited a moment more, perhaps for her to change her name again, then nodded and strode off to the counter.

The knight looked around. I couldnt figure out what to do with my title in the middle of all that. I think perhaps someone gave us a wrong impression of Alden Ryeh-bt.

Who might that have been? Esh-erdi asked, beaming at them. And what was the impression to make you all quietly watch my fellow knight impersonate a waiter?

Everyone looked at Moshk.

******

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Alden was going to do the pitcherhouse.

He hadnt intended to before meeting Zakithee-undh. He did intend to after. Hed told Esh-erdi, and kept telling himself, that it was for his notes. But he watched the riverside pavilion growing larger as Ploomp swam toward it, and what he felt was something like an urge to burst through a wall into the real Rapport III. Not exactly the calm social analysis that was his stated goal.

Im just going to do the local pitcherhouse. Ill challenge my own comfort zone, not other peoples. Im still Esh-erdis guest.

He turned to his host. Its really okay that I want to stop here, isnt it? This doesnt interfere with your plans for the morningthe night?

I brought you here because I hoped youd enjoy it. Take whatever you like from our beautiful home, Esh-erdi said grandly.

Not Ploomp! said Droon.

Ploomp is ours! Brim shouted at the same time, throwing herself forward to sprawl across the terackerins blue back like a possessive starfish.

Dont worry. I know who Ploomp belongs to, Alden assured the twins, his eyes going to the pitcherhouse again.

Ill take everything I can from there. Someone who wants to build home shouldnt be too shy around the pre-existing walls and the neighbors.

While he was parking Ploomp, he decided that a person challenging his comfort zone by doing the pitcherhouse right also shouldnt be intimidated by wizards watching him from above with weird smiles on their faces. It was strange to have an audience while he climbed a ladder, but maybe theyd all consumed something from the more intoxicating section of this places menu.

Im here to get to know you, not judge you. I hope youre all cool. Some Rapport residents might not like to hang out with Avowed. Eventually, Ill have to find the ones who do and make the rest learn to put up with me.

He thought Stuart would approve of this attitude and his efforts.

Ill send him pictures to show him Im working on it.

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Stu knelt amid the students who filled LeafSongs largest insight chamber, listening to an instructor hed never met before today explain the principles that had led her to create a method for intensifying emotions through a fan-cast spell.

This was one of the universitys coveted Innovations in Magic lectures. The students in attendance were mostly above fourth year, with only a few individuals from each lower cohort chosen to benefit from direct instruction in this chamber where the instructors own conversance with her new spell would transfer to them more easily.

The spell was excellent. Though it was no faster than prominent methods currently being used, it was easier to vary the effect, and it was more subtle in its ability to insinuate itself through the subjects automatic resistance to influence. Only moderately more subtle, but that kind of subtlety was valued by people who wanted to occasionally cast this sort of thing instead of becoming experts in this type of magic. The fan spell would be useless to the likes of Healer Yenu, but to the average wizard, it offered something unique.

And it wasnt irrelevant, in the universitys eyes, that it was going to have visual appeal. Almost the whole casting would be done with the fan held in a pocket or stationary outside it, and then at the end a single sweep of it toward the target might be used to turn a faint smile into laughter.

For a few years, it would be a spell that caught attention and marked the caster as a LeafSong-trained wizard, elevating the schools reputation along the way.

Which was why the insight chamber had been opened and students had been selected with care. There were several hundred present, only a fraction of those who would have fought to be here if given the opportunity. Stu sat between Jel-nor and Amantha from his year. They were the only two here he knew well enough to speak to regularly.

Eeaner was probably adhered to the outside of the chamber door, trying to gain insight through the wood.

Hed been buzzing incessantly since yesterday afternoon when theyd arrived at their student house to find the delicately engraved five-leaf fan waiting in a case on their balcony. The lovely black fan was Stus invitation to this lesson and a good enough casting tool that he was unlikely to want a better one unless fans became a particular favorite in the future.

Eeaner might consider it even more unfair if he knew the truth.

Stu would be able to perform the spell after this training concluded, so it wasnt entirely wasted on him. But a student whod had unexcused absences in the past year should have been banned from this kind of enrichment, and hed had several recently. The university just assumed hed been away because he was still serving Emban.

He could hardly tell them otherwise without making the perceived slight to his instructors worse.

I was serving the one who wants to walk with me, our steps lnding together until our journey ends. Thats even more proper. I will feel no shame about temporary deceptions made necessary by the imperfections of society.

He would also not feel shame about setting his eyerings to show him Aldens messages. In the insight chamber, they were supposed to be turned off. Even if a relative died or your student house burned down, surely the problem could wait and benefit from the better wizard you would be after youd been taught by a master in here.

That rule doesnt account for being the only wizard who knows there is a human pursuing the path of highest onus. Things beyond imagining could happen to my friend.

Stu should have been focusing on the final step of his own choosing season right now, as Alden had correctly insisted. But his contemplations kept turning into questions about Aldens status that had him looking for the most recently updated versions of Earths internet and, simultaneously, for historical information about non-Artonan knights. The latter seemed not to have lived happily enough to ease Stus concerns. And there were groups of humans who vomited anti-wizard vitriol into one anothers mouths and mistook it for food.

Ro-den had become sufficiently Earth-famous during his time on the planet for those groups to make drawings of him tied to a pole and set on fire, which was a too-recent human way of punishing other humans who were suspected of magical ability.

What if one of the hundred and twelve people whod given that image their love, as indicated by the symbol for a heart at the bottom, lived on Anesidora and Alden accidentally revealed his auriad to them?

Things beyond imagining could happen. But thats unlikely. He probably wont even send a message. With my eyerings turned on, I can give both halves of my attention to this spell.

A proper student in every way.

He placed each finger of his left hand against the shallow dimples that indicated their correct spot on his new fan when it was in the closed position and touched those points with his authority, ordering the possibility of what he was and what he might soon demand to pool there.

Alden would be able to feel this as Stu did one day. Stu would make sure of it. Even if they were only brothers on their path without that deepest of bonds.

He loves magic. As much as I do. When he advances enough, Ill teach him this spell.

But would it really feel the same? Exactly the same, even when ones self was bound to the purpose of a skill?

Stus next few breaths came too fast. That was rude. He might distract the people near him.

He had so many spells he wanted to share with Alden. Every day, every class, and every memory brought another one.

And I want to see him cast Burrow of the Raintail. A spell nobody else I know casts, his own to master. Ill stitch its name onto a housecoat or pezyva for him when he learns it, since the studding on his knights uniform should be done by the best instead of me.

They hadnt even spoken of that spell as much as they would need to before Alden committed to learning it, but already, Stu imagined that success.

Isnt the insight chamber supposed to keep my thoughts in better order than this?

When he was a knight, the school would invite him to every opportunity in this chamber, whether he was a good enough student or not.

But sometimes instead of castingmany timesI will only be able to listen.

And now his breath was rudely coming to a halt, caught on grief.

Is grief for something that hasnt happened to me yet a sign that Ive found the confidence I must have?

Does Alden grieve for himself like this? Or is it different since he didnt have this same before-time?

That thought held him for a thousand of the instructors words. Maybe he was a terrible student, and Eeaner-ket did deserve the fan more.

He forced himself back into the rightly receptive state. Casting better than Jel-nor was a petty motivation, but he turned to it. Shed behaved even worse than him during the mishnen error, and she was insufficiently sorry about it.

He fell back into the instructors talk and was beginning to think he understood where the explanation would eventually lead. To fan anger or joy like a flame, first perceive how the subject hungers for it, then we

A message arrived from Alden. A picture. Stu stared at it.

That is Esh-erdi. And a river. Different from mine and mothers. And thatis a terackerin. Rapport III. Why is Alden with Hntyon Esh-erdi in Rapport III?

They looked happy. It was all right. There was no word other than, Hi.

Letting the image speak for itself is a fine way of communicating. Im not distracted, since hes obviously well.

But then he recalled how Alden had an urge to tell Esh-erdi all or part of the truth. To stop hiding his true self and gain the approval and the companionship of other knights that he so clearly deserved.

He agreed not to yet. We talked about how it was too soon and not the best idea right now.

He searched the image for any indication that Alden was saying more than hi. Or that he was vulnerable to making sudden revelations.

Its just a terackerin ride. Its nice.

He wouldnt tell Esh-erdi that without warning me. Hes very responsible.

Stu smiled at the picture to put it out of his thoughts. And was successful, eventually.

Some time later, he held his fan in the open position against his chest. He was starting to anticipate the moment when the instructor would allow them to practice a cast on themselves, when he received another message from the person he hoped would not be burned to death or subjected to suffering by an imperfect society.

The hand with the fan jerked involuntarily. Stu almost cut his chin with the edge of it.

Why does he have eleven different beverages in one hand? Is that piditsoo? Thats a piditsoo bowl. Humans can have that? And those other things! If he drinks all of those hell piss green in public and think his own auriad is for flossing his teeth!

It was only after much examination that he was able to stop himself from running out of the lesson.

Alden was only showing off his skill. Eleven glasses, bottles, and sipper bowls in one hand. They were all stuck together, preserved so that he could carry them to the people at the tables around him.

Almost certainly that, Stu thought with relief loosening his body. Hes been a waiter before. He must have offered. Esh-erdi wouldnt let people force him to perform tricks with his skill, and hes smiling.

Once again, the message was, Hi.

Hes sharing his weekend trip to Rapport III with me. Thats good. I hope theyre all being welcoming to him. The glass of hahmp juice with ice in it must be his own. He likes ice.

Stu ignored Jel-nors questioning eye and resettled on his cushion.

I did tell Alden Id be fine with him telling Esh-erdi.

But he definitely knows he should warn me first. All is well.

******

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Alden showed off his ability to carry food and drinks in ridiculous ways, to the delight of the children present. In addition to Esh-erdis nieces and Moshks daughter, a family of seven had just arrived from a nearby house to pick up food for their second meal. Theyd brought a pitcher with them and filled it with bundlefruit wine from the barrel on the counter.

After hed finished entertaining the youngest members of the crowd, Alden took his drinks and put them on the table beside a tasting dipper hed been given. Hed take a taste from each drink, using either the small side of the dipper or the minuscule side of the dipper depending on what he was trying. Esh-erdi claimed to be able to consume all the rest. Bets were being made about whether or not he would.

Moshk was sharing his riverside table with Alden and the erdis. Kayda-lin was at the next one over, eating a triangle of bread stuffed with sauage.

So youve become friends with Stu-arth? Moshk asked.

Alden had reintroduced himself that way a few minutes ago, after deciding there was too much of a feeling in the air that he was someone here solely because Esh-erdi was a charitable person. Somehow, Esh-erdi bashing a fish with lacy fins in the head with an oar was similar to him inviting Alden on a trip?

Anyway, Alden had clarified that he was here to learn about the Rapport for his own reasons, too. He was Stus friend. He wanted to know about the Rapports that were, broadly, Stus home.

Hes still saying friend like he suspects I used the wrong word, Alden thought, looking over the bite-sized snacks waiting in front of him, reciting their names in his head and adding details to the notes. Kolpaste that smells like cheesy mushrooms. Sessetimackpickled water plant roots.

Im his friend, he said firmly. And we both want our friendship to be lifelong.

Hes saying the same thing Jeneth-arths son does, Esh-erdi added, leaning around Aldens side to set down a bowl of smoldering grit that must be edible somehow. So theres no need for you to doubt it, Moshk. Alden, you might want to take Kayda-lins seatwhen she has to go back to work serving tables. Theyre playing a game youd be good at. Its not a favorite in the frozen forest of our first Rapport, so Stu-arth may have been deprived of the opportunity to learn it. You could teach him.

Alden stopped examining his hoard of pitcherhouse goodies and peered at Esh-erdi.

Is Kayda-lin a knight?

I just confirmed for you that she usually serves tables! Esh-erdi protested, while Moshk and the woman in the clothes that were color-shifting both made small noises.

Thats why I just realized she must be a knight! You said it with too much funny-mean in your voice!

Half of the people under the roof chortled or laughed outright.

Alden hastily turned and bowed to the other knight, who was blushing and nodding at him in acknowledgment. Should I call you Hntyon Kayda-lin?

Not since I somehow lost my own title trying to introduce myself, she said. At least not for tonight. The pitcherhouse is as casual as a place can be. I love it here. Do you want to learn to play Three-fingered Thief?

Alden looked at all the colorful game pieces. Hed seen the man at the table catching some of them as they bounced off discs in front of each player.

I have enhanced hands, he said. If its a speed game

Then we wont feel like were treating an amateur unfairly! Im DazmKaydas mother and her votary when she allows it. Come sit next to me when you want to try. I always win.

Ill do that, said Alden. Thank you!

But first a sip of piditsoo with the minuscule end of the dipper. And another picture for Stuart. Alden selected the bowl that held the odorless drink and held it up for the photo, giving Stuart a thumbs up to show him how well everything was going.

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