The Fire and The Storm - The Nexus of Kellaran #2 novel Chapter 79

Part 13

Quewanak and Povon ambled over to the open side of the semi-circle of leaders and claimed space on the sand for themselves beside Karzog. They then Summoned enormous knives and forks and began cutting off bite-size chucks of meat for themselves. For dragons, they ate in a manner that was so polite and fastidious that it was almost funny.

The Hilian Volunteers chose to serve the leaders’ group, and made sure they were first in line to do so.

“I think it would be just if you four youngsters were able to simply relax and enjoy this fine occasion.” Quewanak said to the young governors between bites. “So if you’d like, I’d be glad to referee the fights in the arenas for you.”

“Thank you Quewanak.” Karzog said around an enormous bite of meat, then swallowed before he continued. “I appreciate that. It was using quite a bit of our concentration.”

“As I suspected.” Quewanak chuckled. “You four do push yourselves to your limits almost all the time, even when you’re supposed to be relaxing and having fun.”

“Usually when we’re pushing ourselves to our limits, that’s when we’re having the most fun!” Helemia giggled.

“What is the nature of the spell you’ve cast on our young?” Senior Dolimatbene suddenly asked. “You obviously cast it slowly so that it’s initiation isn’t obvious, but I can already see that our children aren’t acting normal.”

“It’s called Mandri and Dren’s Moderate Drunkenness.” Reggie explained. “I think it’s a crucial part of the success of our social program here, and I wish I could say it was brilliant planning, but using it was just a spontaneous idea. Your young were all so emotionally impaired that they were incapable of enjoying a good party, and half of them were incapable of socializing in any way. It simulates a moderate level of drunkenness, as one might reach if one drank alcohol until just before it started to have a negative effect on balance and coordination.

“To be honest, I haven’t even tried it on myself yet, none of us four have. I think I’ll do so though, just to be fair. Tonight, but not right now.”

“It simulates the enjoyable parts of drunkenness, with none of the bad effects of alcohol. Which seems to be a fun thing.” Helemia giggled as she watched those cheering on the first fighters on the challenge stage.

“Huh. I’ll have to get you to teach me that.” Dolimatbene decided. “I’m sure casting it is a lot less work than brewing mead, which is the only recreational intoxicant my people have had since we got here. Still, we do make very good mead. Though as you’ve said, alcohol has its problems.”

“Sure. Here.” Helemia told her as she psionicly passed the spell. “You’ll need it soon anyway. I’m sure you didn’t get to be Most Senior among your people by accident, so I’m sure you’ll soon be one of the senior commanders of your people in our military system on the merit of your abilities. Then you’ll need to be able to cast it for your troops every night.”

“Uhh, what?” Dolimatbene said as she tried to respond, obviously disoriented.

“Oh, sorry, I thought you’d be able to handle that.” Helemia said as she removed the spell from the woman’s mind. “It looks like I’ll have to give it to you a lot slower, or just teach it to you the old-fashioned way. Or ask my father to do it for me. Father, if you’d be so kind?”