Chapter Three-Hundred Fifteen

    Rezlar

    The young Lord Mayor does his best to not fidget as he sits at his large dining table. The fight between Rocky and Olander was beyond his wildest expectations, even with Miller quietly making him aware of who Olander was well beforehand. It really makes him appreciate the fight he and his friends had with the boxer, and see just how much further they can all grow.

    He’s still not cut out for actually being an adventurer, but it’s still fun to grow in strength together, and to just hang out. He gets precious little time to do either, and with all the happenings over winter and into spring, he doubts he’ll have an excess of time to spend with them. This dinner is a prime example of that, in fact.

    With Olander making his presence officially known, there’s no avoiding an official meeting, complete with all the trappings of ceremony. At least Fourdock is remote enough that he doesn’t have any other nobility nearby enough to get to the meeting in time. So he does his best to suck it up and put on a polite face as he nods to Miller, signalling for him to let Olander Wideblade into the dining hall for a shared dinner.

    The ashen elf smoothly moves to the grand doors and opens them, speaking clearly as he does. “Announcing the Crown Inspector, Olander Wideblade, newly-acclaimed Champion of Rocky’s Arena.”

    Said champion is fully decked out in his attire of office, armor gleaming and glaive on his back. Rezlar notices the simpler enchanted belt around his hips, as well as the wooden box containing the official Champion’s Belt under the tall elf’s arm. He gives a nod that just technically reaches the threshold for a bow, acknowledging his host while also ensuring his own station is recognized, before his eyes dart around the room for a few moments. He smiles to himself as he strides forward.

    “I hope I’m not being presumptuous in guessing you’d prefer not to stand on ceremony, Lord Mayor?”

    Rezlar does his best to school his surprise, but he can tell Olander is fooled not at all. He sighs and slumps slightly, waving a hand at the seat to his right. “You would be correct, Crown Inspector.”

    “Just Olander, if we’re going to forgo formalities,” he replies as Miller pulls out the chair for him, and he smoothly takes his seat.

    “Then just Rezlar for me as well.”

    Miller exits to get the first course, leaving Rezlar to try to figure out how to talk to Olander. What can he even say? Thankfully, the adventurer kicks off the conversation.

    “I hope the auditors aren’t proving too onerous?”

    Rezlar smiles at that and shakes his head. “They’re no problem at all. I was honestly expecting some form of audit once they processed the tax report. Thedeim has been great for almost every industry in Fourdock, and once the ships are built, we’ll be a bustling trade hub, I think.”

    Olander nods at that. “That’s what it seems like to me, yeah. I’m better at hitting things than in trading, but even I know a thriving dungeon is more of a gold mine than a literal gold mine!” He chuckles at his own joke as Miller brings in a few flaky pastries filled with a vegetable and cheese mix.

    Olander tilts his head in confusion before giving a warm smile. “Ah. They took it very well. A lot better than most others have before, if I’m honest.”

    Rezlar winces at that as Olander continues. “A lot of times, people will want to use your position for their own gain, though some are more direct about it than others. It takes a bit of experience to recognize when someone will put their ambitions ahead of a friendship, and those times... are painful, don’t doubt that.” The older elf pauses for a few seconds, a complex look on his face as he relives a few memories.

    “But it’s not a guarantee. I’ve made lasting friendships while undercover, just as I’ve had crushing disappointments. In the end, I think it’s better to tell them the truth, if it’s possible. It’s good to have people you don’t need to pretend around, and if they turn out to not be those kinds of people, it’s better to know early than late.”

    Rezlar considers that as Miller clears the table of the dishes, leaving their drinks as he thinks. His eyes follow the ashen elf as he considers. Miller seems pretty confident Freddie and Rhonda will handle the truth well, but he’s still worried about what might happen if they don’t.

    He’s knocked from his thoughts as Olander speaks up. “Rezlar.”

    He shakes himself and looks at the older elf, wearing a serious face as he speaks to the younger now. “I know it’s not easy. Sometimes I’d rather fight a murderous dungeon on my own than face something like that. But just like facing down a monster will make you stronger, facing this with the truth will do the same. Even if the worst happens, there’ll be others for you to learn to lean on and trust. Even if it’s a disaster, don’t let it cut you off from others. Because when it goes well, it’s worth all the other pains.”

    “Well said, sir,” replies Miller, and Rezlar doesn’t even jump at his sudden appearance. He’s simply too used to the sudden comings and goings of his butler. “I’ve given the young master similar advice myself, but sometimes one needs to hear from one not so invested.”

    Olander snorts at that. “And listen to your butler. I’m pretty sure giving good advice is one of the main subjects at butling school.”

    Miller dons a small smirk at that. “Ah, have you had a chance to listen to many of my colleagues? Perhaps you might enjoy the profession, once you’re done being the Crown Inspector?”

    Olander shakes his head. “I don’t think I’m the type. I’m more the sort to make messes, rather than clean them up.”

    “Ah, but sir, a proper butler keeps the messes from happening in the first place.”

    The two banter back and forth as Rezlar thinks over the advice. He really does want to tell them. It’s mostly been the fear of them taking it poorly that has kept him from it. But the more he thinks about it, the more he thinks Olander is right about it making him stronger. He’s had people he thought were friends betray him, before he came here. Sure, they were the treasons of children and petty in scope, but it still sticks with him. He really did let them isolate him from people in general.

    But... he doesn’t want to be alone! He nods to himself, resolve firm. He’ll tell them. Now he just needs to figure out how, and when.