The house itself if not much to look at, apart from its size. It looks like any regular government building in Kataria, build from grey stone and very rectangular. There are a lot of windows, but they are all closed off with thick curtains. Around the house there are some small indications of a garden, two flower beds and some empty beds filled with dark earth. A small wall encircles the house and grounds, with on top a large metallic fence, with sharp points on top. When Nillian steps out of the coach he immediately notices a small group of guards patrolling around the house, carrying torches and mean-looking pikes.
The coaches stopped precisely before the gate, which is currently standing open. Lord Veloni is already through it, making his way across a small gravel path towards the house. Nillian and the others decide to follow, and the guards from the two coaches step in behind them, keeping their distance but giving the impression that Nillian and his crew are either very important, or very dangerous.
***
Inside the house is nicely furnished, not overly luxurious but still very comfortable. The dining room is made up of one large table, which could easily house twenty people. But for the moment there are only five places set, which are for Lord Veloni and his visitors. The places even have little cards, showing where everyone is supposed to sit. Lord Veloni apparently is not as uninformed as he appeared to be. As everyone is seated Lord Veloni lowers his head and begins to grace. Nillian and the others quickly follow his lead, though they have never heard it like this.
Thank you Lord, for this meal we might receive,
thank your the law and stability, for security and peace.
Thank you Lord for protecting us in this new land,
and that we might live up to it.
On the last word the doors open, and servants come in carrying large trays with soup. It is pumpkin soup, prepared with different spices than Nillian is used to. But the different spices work very well, and the soup tastes delicious. Lord Veloni makes some small talk about Kataria and Nillian's mission, which continues during the main meal of roasted ox with some strange turnip-like vegetables. Nillian is eager to tell Lord Veloni about the latest rumours in Kataria, but when he tries to get some information on Joux in return he stumbles on a blind wall. Lord Veloni avoids questions like that with excuses about that he "spends all day living in and talking about Joux", and that "now is an opportunity to talk about Kataria".
After dinner they follow Lord Veloni into a large sitting room, where they continue their conversations. Ned and Copper keep a bit to themselves, as they are not really comfortably with this kind of situation. Lord Veloni sometimes manages to draw them into the conversation, but mostly it is Nillian and Lyxia who do the talking. After a while drinks are served, but mostly local brews. Not much liquor is imported from Kataria Lord Veloni apologizes, and the local brewers do not yet have long time experience in making good quality liquor from the resources available on Apaga. After a while the company begins yawning, and Lord Veloni offers them rooms in his own house, which Nillian and the others gladly accept. Though the bunks on board the Dr Biene's Request are adequate they do not beat sleeping in a real bed.
***
The next morning Lord Veloni is already gone as Nillian rises and eats his breakfast. But one of the butlers explains what Lord Veloni made for provisions.
"My Lordship made all arrangements necessary. There are guides and guards available should you wish to visit the city or the docks. As you discussed last evening you needed information on Dr Biene's visit here, so there are clerks standing by at the town archives to help you in that respect. And if Mr Copper or yourself want to work on the ... on your ship, he left a list with blacksmiths and engineers who might help with that."
Nillian thanks the butler, and when the others also have woken up he gathers them round. As they munch on their breakfast they talk about their plans and intentions. In the end Nillian quickly summarizes everything.
"So the two foremost concerns are fixing the Dr Biene's Request, so that we can continue our journey, and to find out where Dr Biene went, so we know where to go next. And thirdly we might need to replenish some of our supplies, as we have no idea how long they will have to last."
At that Lyxia gives a small laugh.
"As long as you don't do the shopping then, as then we never know what we are going to get."
"Right, I hear a volunteer for shopping", Nillian jokes back, "and sure enough it is the woman of the group". Then he continues on a more serious note.
"I think I am going to visit the city today, as I am not in the mood yet to return to the cramped rooms of the ship. Ned, Copper, what are your plans?"
"I will start looking at the ship. We might start as soon as possible, as we don't know how much time we got."
"Alricht, than I will an aa go ti the ceity, an visit these blacksmiths. I am curious how guid thay ar ower here, an I can see how muckle trouble thay maucht become. An ye, lass?"
"I think I will stretch my legs a bit. And look around the town, city a bit. Just to get a feel for the ... situation here."
All decided they got their coats, and made their way to the city and the docks, eager to get to work.
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