The Orisha Lisa brought him breakfast not long after dawn. She explained one of the proverbs painted on the wall. The Alfar of the city of Sacred Grove believed the secret of health and longevity lay in a diverse and colorful diet. ‘Five fruits, two greens, two nuts, one meat.’ It was a prescription for the relative quantities of food groups to consume. Left unsaid under the assumption that anyone of good sense would already understand was that the foods should be of a wide range of colors.

  Lisa seemed quite fascinated with food culture in general, referencing similarities and differences to the standard dietary patterns of Svarga on Maya, Mercom on Terra, and the former nation of Midgard on Aes. She held the culinary scene of Promise City in high regard as it was a fusion of so many diverse influences.

  Hector’s breakfast, meticulously planned to follow the local custom, began with a handful of raw green beans and carrots. The next course Lisa handed him combined roasted hazelnuts and sunflower seeds. She explained that the locals liked to maintain an even mix of raw and cooked foods, all of it as close to the natural form as possible.

  Unlike Breadfruit Village, where Hector spent his time the previous trip to Eden, the people of Sacred Grove did not make stews. That initially felt like an oddity, but Hector reminded himself that this was an entire planet with many different cultures. There was no reason to think that he had the world of Eden figured out because he’d spent a couple of weeks in one isolated village. That was no better than his one coworker at the warehouse who thought himself an expert on everything Canadian because he vacationed in Toronto for a week.

  The meal continued with a small plank of dried and salted breast meat from some bird. For someone who had strong opinions on the proper preparation of chicken, the meat proved a disappointment. No juiciness whatsoever and too much salt. Fortunately, the meal ended with fruit to sake some of his thirst. A handful of strawberries, a handful of blueberries, one peach, a couple cherries, and a handful of raisins.

  “I’d be curious to see what nutritional science says about this diet.”

  Lisa smiled at his comment. “Nutritional science says eat Jinn food.”

  “Yeah, maybe I should just appreciate the experience.” Hector climbed to his feet and studied the surroundings. He intended to cleanse the lingering miasma from the environment whether the locals wanted his help or not. It would also be good domain exercise.

  His retinue located him not long after he began his good deed and followed him about as he decontaminated areas of the city. Then the Wardens joined his procession, smiling too brightly and making observations that he didn’t need to trouble himself with such menial tasks on behalf of the people of their city. They wanted him gone but didn’t dare say such a thing.

  Other city leaders arrived and were far more welcoming. A spry silver-haired level ten woman with the title of Eldest held Hector’s arm as they traipsed about the city, providing commentary that was somewhere between official history and small town gossip. Hector could imagine her being quite popular on the Drunk History television program.

  “There is a full moon tonight. We of Sacred Grove have a celebration every time the moon is full during the dark hours. Nuptials and baby naming. It is considered especially auspicious when the moon rises after the sun sets. Certainly it is more picturesque. We gather at the winding meadow. Any couples who walk the length of the path while holding hands are married for life. Parents hold their young ones up to the sky at the start of the path and announce a name. It is considered such bad luck to share the name prior to the ceremony.” They were all invited to the meadow that night, which Hector could locate due to the fact that he did a walk-through to remove the taint of miasma.

  He was back at the guest hall by dinner time. The city was more or less cleansed and he had been delighted to learn a fact about the Alfar: different from every other type of human, they healed from soul damage over time. There wouldn’t be mass casualties over the coming months as people succumbed to an inimical poison. Indeed, the Alfar he spoke to of that issue found it tragic that those elsewhere in the multiverse were wasting away after winning their battles. When he explained that most warriors decided to go out in a blaze of glory, the Alfar regarded him with horror that the sick were sent to war rather than spending their last days surrounded by loved ones.

  When Hector settled into his seat in the yard before the hall to work his aura, the members of his retinue chose to linger outside with him. They spoke softly among themselves before electing Esther to speak with him.

  “Is it true you haven’t slept in three months?”

  “I have training to do, Esther.”

  “But is ‘three months without sleep’ an exaggeration or a fact?”

  Hector shrugged. “My body and mind are both at the peak of nine. I don’t need sleep.”

  “Then your last nap happened before chugging the platinum elixirs?”

  “I slept enough after my advancement.”

  Esther put her hands on his shoulders to claim his full attention. “None of us know from personal experience what your current situation is like. But Isabel says sleep is an important thing for humans, no matter what level they reach. You need to take a night off at least once a week.”

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “Not only is that unnecessary, I think it’s a misuse of six hours.”

  “Still just as stubborn as ever, I see.” Esther looked back towards the rest of the retinue to gain inspiration. “What if we went to the full moon celebration tonight? Everyone could use a rest. There hasn't been a lot of joy lately. Surely you can see that it might be good for the team to relax and see people going about their lives?”

  “You complain about me being stubborn and then, as always, figure out a way to make me do exactly what you want. We’ll go to the celebration.” He almost made a joke about her being third in command, but that brought to mind the fact that Conrad was separated from them. Riding on a Jinn cruiser wasn’t the same as being deceased, but hector didn’t want to bring up those who were missing in any capacity.

  Several hours later, as the land grew dark, they went to the meadow to mingle among the people of Sacred Grove City. The crowd was large, though not nearly large enough for the footprint of the massive city. That came from the low population density. There was so much space between dwellings, much of it dedicated to trees and gardens.

  When the moon began to rise, couples of all ages began to stride forth holding hands.

  Piercing snorted. “This is the silliest marriage ceremony I’ve ever heard of.”

  Esther rolled her eyes. “I think it’s romantic. There are no authorities giving their blessing. Just two people who love each other deciding to stroll the path together.”

  The locals had given a spot of honor to their group, granting them a good view of the proceedings. The path wound through the tall grasses of the meadow, giving the impression it had been made by a wandering animal. Several dozens of couples made the journey hand-in-hand. Hector’s thoughts went to his own wedding. It had been a small event. Very casual. Jen was the antithesis of a Bridezilla, choosing simple and comfortable options for everything. Their reception had been held in the hall of a social club because she didn’t want to look too fancy around some of her friends who struggled financially.

  His morose reflections shattered when he caught sight of Riley backing into the meadow, pulling Darius along with her. There may have been a hint of reluctance in his stiff shoulders, but he did not resist her gentle insistence. When they stood upon the start of the dirt path, Riley turned around to face forward and the couple took their first steps together.

  Esther appeared at Hector’s elbow. “See? Good things happen when we take breaks.”

  “Yes, Esther, you were right.” Hector smiled brightly as he played the role of grudgingly admitting he was wrong.

  “This wins me a bet,” she continued. “I unfortunately won’t be able to collect…. To take things in a less morose direction, what about the love life of Hector Thoreaux? He’s a Lord and a Sage now, so prospects should be looking up. Your seer is locked up at the moment, so if we can spring her from jail I bet she would be most grateful to her hero.”

  He chuckled politely. “I think I have other priorities at the moment.”

  “Come on, Hector. How long has it been for you?”

  “Since the last time I was on Eden, actually. But don’t try to act like you’re more active than me in that way.”

  Esther stabbed her finger into his chest. “The Strigoi you bedded. Oh, by the love of chocolate, don’t tell me you miss the monster.”

  “You remember being a Strigoi, Esther.”

  “That’s how I know they are monsters. She couldn’t get inside your head the normal way, so I bet she just acted all needy and then came on strong. Guys are suckers like that. What did she want from you?”

  Hector winced at the reminder of his gullibility. “She wanted me to help with the Ogre.”

  “Which you did. Wow, Hector, way to be a sucker.”

  “I’m curious how you decided to become a Xian if you objected to the morality of the Strigoi.”

  “My father got the memories of a Xian noble. He made them sound very different than the impression you and Matthias give. Effective marketing, you could call it. My father could sell sand to the Bedlam Nomads. Oh, right, those are desert dwelling people from my home world.”

  “Is your father….”

  “Dead. He was never a tough man. More of the fast-talking womanizer type. The memories convinced him he was something he was not and he tried to defend our community when a rift opened. My brother and I left when a group of Arahants passed through. They thought my brother would make a good recruit for the Coalition Army because he inherited the insight of a Sword Sage. I know those are as common as fleas on a dog, but he got the memories of a notable one. Then he didn’t come back from his first deployment.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. What of your mother?”

  “Cancer took her when I was young.”

  “I lost my father to cancer. Though I was far from young.”

  “Fuck cancer,” Esther said.

  “Indeed.”

  Couples had begun to return from their walk on the path. They crossed the line holding their entangled hands in the air, proof that they completed the ceremony. Last in line were Darius and Riley. They both blushed bright red as they returned to face the team.

  “No one may say anything,” Darius said.

  Hector paid no heed to the command and seized both his friends in a tight hug. “Congratulations. I thought it would never happen.”

  Piercing smacked Darius on the back. “Our boy finally grew a pair of balls.”

  “I swear I will kill you,” Darius promised.

  “You can’t. Without me in the group you would be least popular.”

  Hector released the couple and stood back to admire them. Though their journey through the meadow had ended, their hands were still clasped tight. “I’m so happy for you two.”

  “Yes, yes, enough of your sentimentality, Hector.”

  “You know, Darius, it wouldn’t kill you to admit that you love someone.” Hector spoke the words and Riley’s gaze grew intense.

  The newlywed man firmed his resolve as if bracing for something terrible. “Theoretically, there may be several people in my life I care a great deal for.”

  It was good enough. Hector seized his friend in another embrace, squeezing despite the protests. “I love you too, Darius.”

  “Yes, well, you are not my wife so enough of the hugging.” Darius seemed to suddenly realize what he had done. “I have a wife….”