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Steph raised an eyebrow at Peter’s terrified demeanor.

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“Seriously?”[/color] she asked Peter with a chuckle. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“[i]You’re[/i] afraid of heights? Your home town was built on top of a mountain!”[/color]

“Y-Yes, that’s true,” Peter conceded. “B-But I never really ventured outside all that often, and I [i]never[/i] got close to the c-cliffs…”

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“I guess that explains it, then,”[/color] she noted, although she still found it amusingly ironic.

Steph’s attention was soon drawn back to Sarah, who was asking about Draygon and his intentions. It was something that had been poking at the back of Steph’s mind as well. Who [i]was[/i] this Draygon, and how was he able to create monsters like the harpy she’d fought back at Tinkertown? From what she had been able to gather, the so-called “Wizards” were simply people who had learned how to utilize some facet of old world knowledge or technology. Was this the case for Draygon as well? If so, then he had certainly acquired a knowledge of science far in advance of that displayed by the rest of this depressingly medieval world. However, before Sir Gravy could answer Sarah’s question, or Steph could give voice to one of her own, they were interrupted by the arrival of a youthful squire.

“P-Please pardon the intrusion, Sir Gravy,” the squire stammered, clearly out of breath. “But I come bearing a message from Master Tornel. He has instructed me to request that you…” His voice trailed off as he noticed the two young women present. “O-Oh, good heavens!” he exclaimed, prostrating himself in supplication. “Please forgive your lowly servant, mighty Oracles!” he pleaded. “I did not mean to disturb you with my presence!”

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“D-Don’t worry,”[/color] Steph told the messenger gently, more than a little taken aback by his reverence towards Sarah and herself. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“You didn’t do anything wrong, and there’s really no need for you to be afraid of us,”[/color] she added with a reassuring smile,  while kneeling down and placing a hand on the squire’s shoulder. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“We’re regular people, just like you.”[/color]

The young man gasped as he felt Steph touch his shoulder, but calmed slightly upon seeing her kind smile. Now that he looked at her face, she didn’t appear to be any different than a normal person. And yet, she was an Oracle, a divine messenger of the Ancients! How could she be so… [i]humble?[/i]

That thought was quickly banished when Sir Gravy spoke up.

“Young squire! You spoke of a message from Master Tornel! Out with it lad! What new task awaits?!”

“M-My apologies, sir! M-Master Tornel wishes for you to escort the Oracles to their chambers and watch over them until the feast tomorrow. I would have informed you sooner, but I was told you would be in the library, and when you weren’t there…”

“Not to fret, young squire!” Sir Gravy reassured him. “Your quest to locate us was successful, and you have imparted the message entrusted to your care. You have done quite well indeed! What pray tell is your name, young squire?”

“S-Squire Toast, sir.”

“Well, then, Squire Toast, I shall be sure to mention your exemplary service when next I speak with both Master Tornel and His Majesty, the King!”

“T-Thank you, sir!”

“Think nothing of it, lad!” the paladin replied with a hearty laugh. “A job well done deserves to be recognized!”

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“Wait, you mentioned a feast?”[/color] Steph asked.

“Why, yes! Of course! Master Tornel is preparing a grand banquet in your honor! There will be music and entertainers of all kinds! Master Tornel has demanded only the best for our Mighty Oracles!”

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“Tornel’s setting this up?”[/color] Steph asked dubiously. She tried not to scowl at the mention of the wizard, but after his earlier treatment of Sarah and herself, she found it hard not to regard all his actions as highly suspicious.