Gamers Eight Epilogue part3

Elbee rode north, through the normal roads, he avoided the walled city and continued into the human lands. Stopping miles north in an unfamiliar town he was almost through the town when he spotted the small inn. Yawning he headed into the inn to get a place to rest. The curses and status damage were still there, and he felt that if he at least didn’t figure something out soon it would cause irreparable damage. The [innkeeper] was a skinny man who jumped when the door opened.

“Can I help you” He asked with a nasally voice

“Looking for a room” Elbee said.

“That’s two gold,” The inn keeper said.

Elbee placed the two gold on the counter and waited while the [innkeeper] set the key down. Openeing the ledger Elbee signed the book L.B.

Yawning he headed off to the room.

The room itself was spartain, and was hadstraw bed covered with a somewhat dirty cloth. It was a mess, he looked in the straw as saw there were bugs.

Elbee sighed, and was about to turn  back to the door and the said, “Two gold, and he gives me this room.”

Elbee pulled out a wand and with a quick flick of his wrist, a small gout of flame lit the bed and straw on fire.  The smoke began to get thick and the flames started on the wall. Using a spell he had the flames began to ignore the walls.

*cough*, “Oh yeah air” He said, and a bubble of clean air was around him. The fire burned the bed to ashed and the room was thick with smoke.

Ther was a pounding on the door, and an angry voice ”What are you doing in there”

Elbee signed, and said loudly, “I am trying to sleep”

“Where is all this smoke coming from?” The voice said skepticaly.

“Smoke?” Elbee said looking at the haze wafting around the room, A flick of his wand and the smoke started to condense into a ball in the middle of the room. After two more flicks a new clean looking bead was along the wall and any traces of a fire were gone.

“Yeah smoke, open up” The voice said.

Elbee turned off the bubble of air and opened the door. The innkeeper was stanging there looking confused.

“Sir, if your going to wake me up and charge two gold pieces I will have to demand a refund and leave.”

“The smoke…” The innkeeper said looking into the room beyond.

“What smoke?” Elbee asked.

“What did you do to this room?” The innkeeper said pushing past Elbee.

“What if your going to charge two gold it better be a fine room.” Elbee said.

The innkeeper turned and looked at Elbee as if seeing him for the first time. “Who are you?”

“Does it matter?”

“I suppose not, “The innkeeper said retreating out of the room in a panic.

Elbee closed the door and went and sat on the soft bed.

“I suppose its time to change my looks,” Elbee said yawning. He was asleep on the bed in a few minutes.

Elbee had returned to the City of Adventure , through the gates of Invrisil. He looked much younger and his current height and the illusion matched more closely. He looked like a younger kid with average clothes, and a single blade at his hip. The backpack he wore was heavy looking. A small leather sachel was on his right side. He also wore a deep red cloak with the hood partially over his head. The guardsman looked him over, “whats your business here?” He asked.

Elbee smiled, “Looking for more work, heading to the guild office.”

“Next” the guard said waving Elbee through. He led his horse through the gate.

Elbee wandered around for a few minutes and headed to where he had been told the group had purchased a building. It was in one of the poorer areas of the city, but it was a building that they owned.

It was a four-story building with a back yarded area and a covered stable for about six horses, five of the stalls had occupants, the sixth was empty.  A younger kid about twenvle was feeding and watering the horses as he approached.

“who are you?” The boy asked Elbee.

“I was told to deliver this horse here,” He said offering the kid the reigns.

“By who?” He asked.

“Some blond woman,” He shrugged, “Paid good coin for me to bring it here.”

“Oh,” He said taking the reigns.

“Here, take good care of the horse” Elbee said giving him two gold coins.

“Thanks mister!”, The kid said.

Elbee headed to the guild.

He walked in an some of the people looked at him and then went back to talking and looking at he boards. He walked over to the receptionist. “Scuse me ma’am I wanted to know what the rumor I was hearing about the city being attacked?”

“Oh, you mean the witch attack?” She asked.

“Is that what it was? People seemed real shook up about it when I was traveling here.”

She nodded, “A witch called the stich witch and other things destroyed a whole town and sewed them into a flesh golem.”

“That’s sick, has anybody gone after her?” He asked.

“No, shes to powerful, even a gold rank team barely survived against her.” She dropped her voice a little “I think she let them go.”

“How long ago was that?” He asked.

“Twelve days ago, no one has seen her since, or at least no word about her has been communicated to the guild about her”

“Where are these gold rank people?” He asked.

“Well some might be in the Gold room,“ She said pointing to a door on the other side of the main room, “But I don’t think your…”

He had turned and walked towards the door. People watched wanting to see what happened, and the noise in the room got quiet.

He opened the door and went through.

“Who the hell was that someone asked?” a woman covered in muck asked.

“No idea never seen him before today” A dwarf said to his team.

Went he entered several eyes looked him over trying to see if they knew him or what team he was with. “You lost boy?”  A human in robes asked him.

“Nope looking for the gold ranks, I am hoping that’s you people.”

“Is this about a job? Or are you looking to try and join a team?”

“Neither wanted to know about the Stich witch” He said loudly.

The room went silent.

“Look kid, shes dangerous even has a huge bounty on her head from various places. What team are you with?” The robed mage said changing the subject.

“I wanted to see if I could take her out.”

The room erupted into laughter. “Your crazy, there is no way the guild would let you go after the stich witch.”

“Oh?” Elbee asked

“Why are you in here anyhow?” A woman said looking up and taking a drink from her takard.

“I wanted to see what I would be up against, figured I would ask those of you who knew”

“She dangerous, most terrifying enemy I have ever fought. Your not gold rank kid, you wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“Why is a prat like him in here anyhow throw his ass out!” A dwarven woman in full plate said getting off of her chair.

“I am not Gold or Silver rank.” Elbee said

“Who let a copper bastard in here?” The Dwarven woman said, looking around.

“Im not copper either” Elee said looking around the room.

There was murmering around the room, and much of it was angry.

Thow his ass out of here must be a bronze “said a mage from farther back in the room.

“I don’t think theres enough of you to do that.” Elbee said softly.

A hand landed on his shoulder from behind, “Ok Mr, time for you to leave.”

He looked up at the older man, “Who are you?”

“I am guildmaster Tealve, young man, A word” He guided Elbee out of the back room and towards the stairs. He looked older, and well dressed.

Elbee followed and the man took him upstairs into an office, gestured to the seat in front of his desk and softly closed the door. He then walked around and sat behind the desk.

“Mr Elbee, I am guessing.” He said looking him over.

Elbee sighed, “Lord Bloodstone or L B, either works. How did you know it was me?”

Your wearing an Illusion, and have a Mithral Plate from my guild, what makes you think we were not keeping track of you. Your both a dangerous enemy and someone we want to call on if things get bad, where were you when the Stitch witch attacked?”

“Down south, making my way here.”

“I heard about you in Liscor. Quite frankly I am not sure how too deal with you. We have kept you under wraps for the time being, and Wistram wants to talk with you at some point.”

“About the Stich witch you want me to take care of her?”

The Guildmaster stared at him, a long silence followed, “To be honest I wouldn’t mind sending you after her, but I have been instructed to send you to Lady Rienhart, when you arrived back in the city.” He pulled a stack of letters out of a drawer and set them on the edge of the desk

On the top of the stack was a pink envelope with a red sealed wax, He picked it them and put tem in his bag of holding. “Is that all?” He asked.

“That should be enough The Ladys letter was on the top, I would highly suggest you answer her as soon as you are able. Also there was a message from The Blighted King for you, it was in that stack.”

“I see, Thank you.”

Elbee stood as soon as the guildmaster did and left the room closing the door behind him.

As he came down the stairs everyone was staring at him.

He left the guild hall, quickly and was out the door before anyone could intercept him. Several adventurures were right behind him as he took off down the street.

He turned toward the Enchanters shop, He knocked and was told to “Enter”

“Master Hedault I would like to make a few more purchases if possible.”

Master Hedault entered the main hallway and looked at Elbee, “I see your back again, what can I help you with today?”

“It occurred to me you may know of an artifact or magic item that can remove skills, or curses.”

“Humm, that’s awfully specific and a broad category. It’s not something I myself really keep on hand usually. Not that I have come across many items like that. If I may inquire, what skills or curse are you looking to remove?”

“I have some kind of [status condition error] that is preventing me from using certain skill or magic.”

Master Hedault thought about it for a bit, I can make some inquiries, and now that you’re here would you be able to assist me in elvaluating a magic item and how to repair it?”

“I suppose I can make time for that, when were you thinking?”

“I have a carridge coming to pick me up shortly, there is actually another carridge that I have been asked to repair.”

A small pink carridge rolled to a stop in front of the shop, and a well-dressed butler entered.

“Master Hedault, I have been instructed to bring you to Lady Reinhart, to explain about the carridge.”

“Ahh good good, my associate here will be joining us if that’s not too much trouble.”

The Butler looked over at Elbee ,“Very well.”

They arrived at the Mansion and pulled up to the front steps.

They were led up the stairs where another tall maid was waiting. “I trust there were no issues with the other carridge?”

“None, my associate here will assist me with the repair if it is possible,” Hedault replied politely.

“If you will follow me? Lady Magnolia Reinhart is waiting.” She said.

They followed the maid into a small sitting room all pink.

A woman sat with a teacup in her hand when they entered.

She looked at Master Hedault, “I am of the impression that you were unable to get someone here to fix the carridge?”

“Your pardon Lady Reinhart, I have been unable to get a Mage from Wistram to even acknowledge my request. I have asked Mr Elbee here to assist if he is able to. My schedule is very busy and I really don’t want to stop what I am working on now.”

Lady Reinhart looked at Elbee, She raised a dark black monocle to her eye, “Oh I see. Lord Bloodstone I presume?”

Elbee nodded, “Good morning Lady Reinhart.”

“I am a little put out by the lack of social grace you have shown me.” She said putting the moncle back on the table.

“I was not intending to cause trouble, and someone of your staure is busy, I did not want to intrude.”

“Nonsense, I have already spoke with the Blighted King and he assured me that your arrivial was an accident on your part. Still social protocal would have had you at least contacted me, being the local Lady in the city.”

“To be honest, I have only recently returned to the city, today in fact.”

“I will allow this small slight,” She turned to Master Hedault, “I think I will have Lord Bloodstone, take care of the carridge if that is acceptable to you.”

Master Hedault nodded slowly,”Thank you Lady Reinhart, if you need my assistance please send a runner and I will make haste to assist.”

“Please escort Master Hedault back to his home, I have to discuss some business with Lord Bloodstone.”

The maid looked at Elbee with a look that said she was holding him responsible if anything happened to the Lady. With that the two of them left the small pink room.

“Please sit, we have much to discuss before you look at my carridge. Tea?” She gestured to the tea set on the table.

Elbee sat down and poured a cup of tea, and added two spoons of sugar.

“Tell me about yourself” Lady Reinhart said soothingly.

“Not really much to tell, what do you want to know?” Elbee asked.

Reinhart looks a little confused, and said ,”How did you get from Rhir to Izril?”

“I was taking out a very dangerous creature, in the blight and in doing so fell back here.”

“Fell?”

“Yeah I threw it into the sun and fell back down.” Elbee took a drink of the tea, “This is pretty good tea”

“I would like to know how you made that unicorn for the Assistant guild master.”

“Uh yeah, I think I got irritated with them, not believing my levels.”

“I see, you scared the poor woman half to death. Its not everyday that you meet someone with named status. I have it on good authority that you’re a very dangerous man.”

“Not really my intent, I just wanted to get that interview over with as soon as possible.”

She held up one hand, “Lord Bloodstone, I feel that you did not intend to disrespect me, and my domain, and I sense no hostility towards me from you. In fact, it seems you are going to have a look at my damaged carridge. More tea?”

The maid returned and glared daggers at the man sitting , drinking tea and talking to her Paetron.

“One cup is enough, thank you though. I much prefer iced tea.”

“Iced?” she asked.

“Well its brewed differently, the best I have had is a tea left in a large jar and set in the sun to steep for a day, then put on ice. “

“I will have to try that.”

“Though you might want to try honey instead of sugar, it gives it a much sweeter flavor. And the sugar can eventually rot your teeth.”

The maid smiled slightly at the comment and then continued to glare at him.

“Yout still havent answered my questions, why is that?” She asked soothingly.

“Lady Reinhart, not to be rude but your charms just won’t work on me, I am married…Extreamly married, and while I do find you interesting, I don’t think you would take kindly to being seventh in the list of wives.” He said as he tensed slightly.

Lady Reinhart stared at him and laughed. “I don’t find you the least bit attractive.”

“Oh thank you for that, I needed, I get so full of myself sometime, I forget people like you have your own agendas and perspectives. My second wife Coreen has been feilding marridge proposals on Rhir and just told me about a week ago that they have been rather persistant. Nevermind I suppose your more interested in what I can help you with or if I am a threat.”

Slightly amused Lady Reinhart smiled, “Well I have had people keeping an eye on you when you were in town and you seem to be under the impression that your behavior is acceptable. It is not. So far, I have been able to keep your presence in my domain under wraps, however you stunt at the guild hall was noted, and concerning.”

“What do you want from me?” He asked.

“Well first you could examine my carridge, beyone that I will have to see. Ressa please show our guest to the carridge.”

“Very well, please follow me.” She said stiffly walking to the door and wainting for him to rise.

Elbee followed her out, as then went down the hall, he saw several magic items arranged in cases and displays. “I hope I didn’t offend Lady Reinhart” He said to the maid.

“If you had, named or not you would know.” The maid replied  picking up the pace a little.

She led him outside into a side stable area where another carridge could be seen, it was larger and pink. There were no horses. The carridge looked like it had been smashed up and damaged.

Lord Bloodstone started to look it over.

As the sun set Bloodstone was starting up at the undercaridge of the pink monstrosity as he had started calling it. There was damage to the enchantments, as well as to the carridge itself. Not superficial by any means, There were cracks and gouges across the entire carridge, the damage it had take was extensive, The fact that it hasn’t blown up was probably due to the two power stones, being removed.  The bulter of Lady Reinheard has come out to oversee his work and had waited patiently for him to look over the entire carridge.

“It’s a mess” Elbee said.

“Can it be repaired,” The butler asked him.

“Of course it can, Looking it over, I get the feeling a half assed attempt isn’t going to cut it. The problem as I see it, is I am not a carpenter.”

“Carpenter, but we are worried more about the enchantments.”

“Yeah, heres the thing I could fix all the damage, fill it in with magic, and leave it at that. That’s a half assed way of fixing something. Take this wheel for example.” He pointed to the front wheel that was intact but had a missing spoke. I scried for that spoke, its somewhere off in that direction,” He gestured towards the north.

“Its still slightly enchanted, but its broken, I could replace the spoke, but again I am not a carpenter.”

“Ahhh I see, so you need a carpenter to help with the repairs.  I will let Lady Magnolia Reinhart and see if we can get one here for you today.”

“That would help, the next question is do you want this carriage to use those mana stones or something else?” He asked.

“We are familiar with the mana stones, so that is acceptable, I can bring new ones down when you are finished.”

“Ok, and could you tell me what enchantments you know are supposed to be on this, I found a few that are um questionable.”

The butler went through the functions of the carriage as he was the most familiar with its workings. When they came to some of the tracking spells. The spells that were on it, were unable to track the carriage, however there seemed to be no way to keep someone from driving off with it.

“Its more about learning how the carriage behaves, “The butler said ,  “No one would think of stealing if from Lady Reinhart.”

“I see your point, I thought I would ask. About the illusionary horses, one of the spells that controlled the left horse is badly damaged, I looked at the other horse and it is more primitive than this one. I would like to fix them both if that’s ok.”

“Lord Bloodstone do what you feel is necessary,” He said looking over some of the pieces that had been pulled from the Carriage.  I was unaware this much damage was done“

“Every piece has spell damage, most are intact, some of the other pieces are damaged and will need to be replaced. He stared at the carriage; I can upgrade the magic of the carriage if you want me to. Its going to take time though“

“I don’t think that will be necessary, I would inquire, what are you thinking of adding.” He asked.

“A storage space in the carriage itself, aside from the large space you already have in the back. Something to make the trips more pleasant.”

“What did you have in mind?” He asked.

“A storage for hot and or cold items should I not bother?”

“Perhaps, if it didn’t take to much more time than the repair, Lady Reinhart would like to have it repaired as soon as possible.”

“I will work with what I can fix without the carpenter, just send him over and I will get started. Oh, meant to ask is there any Druids around?”

“I will inform the garner that you would like a word with him.” The butler turned and walked towards the back of the estate.

It wasn’t long before a younger man with a unkempt beard appeared to be following the butler, and not to happy about it, walking with his staff he came over to stand near Lord Bloodstone, “Whats this all about, I have things I have to get done weeds that are being a nuisance.”

“Lord Bloodstone this is Nalthaliarstrelous, Lady Magnolia’s ground keeper and Druid.”

Bloodstone held out his hand, “You don’t seem like much have a weird aura about you,” Nalthaliarstrelous said looking at his hand.

“Sorry Nalthaliarstrelous, I hope I got that right. I was wondering if you could grow a tree from a piece of the wood from the carriage.” He asked, slow lowering his hand.

“Why would I want to, I told you I am very busy with my plants.” He turned and started to walk back the way he had come from.

“A moment if you would Nalthaliarstrelous, would you be able to tell me what kind of apple this is.” A gold skinned apple appeared in his hand.”

The druid paused and looked at the apple, “Where did you get that?” He asked.

“Rhir, very far out in the blight a young lady gave me something special and I used in on some orchard trees and the fruits changed to this. I grabbed a bunch of them before anyone noticed.”

Nalthaliarstrelous stared at him, “Ill grow your tree for that apple.”

Elbee tossed it to him, and it was snatched out of the air and he took a bite. “They are even better that the books say.”

“What book?” Elbee asked.

“Never mind, ill grow that tree for you, you save those seeds.” Nalthaliarstrelous said.

The next morning after having stayed as a guest, at the Reinhart estate, he was up very early, rolled out of the soft guest bed. The sky was still dark when he looked out the window. He dressed and headed to the first floor and the front entrance. There were maids that were up cleaning, he nodded to them and let himself out the front door.

He yawned and stretched as he closed the door and walked to where the dismantled carriage was. The two front weeks were off to one side and the axle they rode on was off to the right where a new one needed to be made. The tree that Nalthaliarstrelous grew from a sliver of the damaged axle was still growing and was little more that a three-foot-tall sapling.

The supports holding the carriage upright were made of formed stone and made a nearly perfect arch.

“The things I do to stay out of trouble.” Elbee sighed.

“What kind of trouble might that be?” The Head Maid asked him.

“Jeezz, warn someone when your there.” He said as he removed his hand from his sword.

“Look I know you most likely don’t like me. I get it your loyal to Lady Reinhart, I have nothing against you or her, I just don’t like being used. At least not without being asked.”

“Just see that you give Lady Magnolia Reinhart proper decorum and I will have less of an issue with you.”

“Meaning you have issues with me?” He asked.

She looked him over, “While you may fancy yourself a Lord, you do not have the bearings of one at least not up to My Lady’s standards. You’re a low born Lord, and while you are doing service for the estate that is conducive to my Lady’s goals do not think for one moment that give you any standing here in her domain.”

“Ouch, I think you see me as an upstart and a loose cannon. I just want to help and be on my way.”

She tisked and turned to go back into the house, “You do have some good qualities I suppose, but rest assured as long as you assist, there will be no issues. At least as long as you are civil.” She stepped away and returned into the Mansion.

He sighed and got to work fixing the damage spells, that had been broken, as well as repairing minor dings and cracks that could be repaired.

The carpenter arrived later in the morning, and the tree had grown once the sun had come up. The druid Nalthaliarstrelous has sleepily gotten up as the sun rose and had helped it grow before the carpenter had arrived. The two of them didn’t speak as the druid seemed very grumpy and with Elbee fixing a ghostly horse they stayed out of each others way. The carpenter arriving had the druid leave saying he didn’t agree with killing a perfectly good tree, and he presumably went back to bed as Elbee and the carpenter began deciding how to harvest the tree for the parts need to repair the wheels, axle and other parts of the carriage.

Towards noon, the carriage began to resume its signature shape, apart from the new wood not being pink. The carpenter took his wagon and returned the way he had come. Elbee waved bye to the carpenter and began inspecting the carriage for any further damage. He found some rotting wood where he though it had been solid.

“It looks better“ Reynold the butler said examining the work.

“I hope so, it still need a lot of work, at this point I wonder if it might not be easier to transplant the magic to a new carriage.”

“Please continue.” The butler said, “What about the wood not being pink?”

“Oh there’s a few spells that fix yet, I want to reinforce the durability and strength of the wood first, then add the aesthetics.”

 “Very well, I will inform Lady Magnolia of your progress” The butler headed inside.

Lord Bloodstone or Elbee as he was using a moniker, to hide his curse was in a formal dining room of the mansion. Lady Magnolia had him sitting on her right and it was a very cozy setting, the table was meant for forty or so, so the small corner they were using seemed very out of place.

“Far be it, from me to tell a Lady how to run her household, this seems a little weird to me, No offense Lady Magnolia”

“I get few chances to dine with guests and it always helps to refine a lords table manners.” She said looking over the various forks spoons and knives arranged out from the plate.

“This is an education for me, it what your saying.” He asked.

Magnolia laughed, “Its one thing I can school you on at least so you don’t make a fool of yourself here or in Rhir.”

Elbee looked at the five forks arranged around the plate, the three spoons and four knives, there were five different drinking glasses arranged in a half arc to his right. “I appreciate the effort you are making here, I just don’t understand the reason.”

“I recognize talent, you have it, and I intend to use it while you’re here. You say your wife is on her way here to collect you, I would be remiss of me to not at least keep you out of trouble until she arrives. Do you know when she should arrive and where she is intending to make land fall”

“Not yet, they are under sail, I spoke with Eve the captain, and she has leveled several times, and they have acquired three other ships, in addition to thiers. Pirate ships, they made a serious mistake of attacking the Enterprise. I know some of what was done on that ship before it sailed from its port. I helped redesign it, with technology from home it is not a ship to be taken lightly. The Antinium built the ship on my recommendation; they lacked the lumber to make more. Its designed as a Galleon, with four masts and an extra upper deck. They have had some issues on the trip, but have been able to fix them”

“I came across a list from Rhir, and would like to know what this is about” She set the parchment on the corner of the table.

Elbee looked it over, “Oh, wow it made its way here. It some things we were looking for, some as a joke, some as a message to other earthers.”

“I take it you know how to make gun powder.” She asked.

“Yeah but that’s not the way to go with firearms, most modern weapons use smokeless black powder, the thing is it is sometimes not powder. No I will not tell you how it is made, but gun powder sure that’s easy. Since it can be used in fireworks I see uses beside single ball muskets or cannons.”

Magnolia stared at him, “I was under the impression that your rifles and weapons were deadly, and easy to make.”

“To someone who never did the research perhaps, it seems that way, Rifling of a gun barrel is something not easily done, there are special machines that are used to make them. An invention that if I decide to make. I will keep control over it. Our technology has been built up in the past hundred years or so, to jump start that here in this magical world is possible. It would take at least twenty years to get some of the basics. Prototypes are easy and can be made without fail safes as a proof of concept. Beyond that, firearms would require a large technological step forward for everyone.  I don’t see it happening on Rhir or even from what I have seen here on Izril.

Antinium, Drakes, Humans, Helf Elves, Dwarves , Half Gazers, Goblins, Minataurs, Centars, Lizard people, Sephalids, Gnolls, Beastkin, Stick people and Dullahans, I am sure there are even more I don’t know about or haven’t met yet. All of you are trying to carve a place out for yourselves. You must have a good grasp of what races are trustworthy to humans and what are not, add in the politics, it’s a mess, Even Earth was a mess, and just no one cared to see it.”

“There have been other things from your world that have been introduced, Food, and small things, These technological marvels that have been brought over with you Earthers.”

“I am going to tell you what I told the Blighted king. I have no problems introducing new technologies to this world if it keeps me and mine alive. However, that being said, I will not be pushed or threatened to do so. I know how bad bad can get there is ugliness on Earth and I have seen it here in Izril as well as Earth. If I see something I don’t like I will get involved.”
“We can talk more after dinner,” She said as the butler and maid came in with the meals.

Dinner was a lesson is etiquette as well as proper manners, when formally dinning. Lady Magnolia and her maid took the time to educate him properly. After the meal they retired and Elbee gave Magnolia a very detailed account of his interactions with the King as well as the Antinium. It was late when the Butler took him home as he declined to stay another night as he did not want to inconvenience her or her staff as she was working on plans against those who has slighter her as well as a monster prowling her lands.

“Your charms seem to work very well on him.” Reesa said.

“I didn’t need them, he want to impress me. Now onto other things have we received any replays from the ladies?”

“Yes I have sent Reynold to pick up the Ladies you requested we should be able to have that gathering tomorrow night.”

“Very good, I do not like that spider prowling my lands and killing my people.”

Elbee arrived where he had left his horse, Lady Magnolia had agreed to the small request of looking at her carriage as a meal and company. It wasn’t really a fair exchange, but he figured that she would and did agree to it. No gold changed hands and that’s was fine with him. He had learned a little about her, that’s she had siblings, and was very dismissive of them, claiming they were not worth mentioning. She adored her people, but ruled and governed with a firm hand not letting slackers take advantage of her kindness. Reesa was the one who cut the evening short as she had been drinking a little, and was getting tired. Being polite he excused himself and the Butler offered to take him into the city, as it was after dark and he would not be able to get through the gates.

He walked into the meeting house and found his room and promptly fell asleep as he to had been drinking.

He awoke to an incessant beeping; it was behind his right ear and had grown loud enough to wake him. “Um, hello” he said touching the metal device.

“Morning,” The voice on the other end said.

“Whos’s this,” he asked somewhat groggily.

“Your wife,” The voice teased.

“Um, I don’t recall my wife,” He started to say, and stopped he really didn’t recognize the voice., “Really who is this?” He asked again.

There was a muffled laughter, “Its Eve, Que te Folle Un Pez!. Now I need you to find some maps for me now!”

“Oh hi Eve, how are you doing?” he asked calmly and yawned.

She screamed a loud verbal assault of Spanish, paused and said, “I wasn’t kidding, NOW, maps!”

 Bloodstone jumped out of bed opened the door and left the building. “Ok I am in Invrisil , a land locked city not sure where I can find a map.”

She yelled, “Get that sail up now dammit!”

“Sorry what?” Elbee asked.

“I’m working here, get me the maps, some asshole got my current maps all wet, and nothing is readable.”

Bloodstone jogged down the street and stopped, when he realized he had forgotten his money. He quickly returned grabbed his gear and headed back to the street. It was still dark, but the sun was coming up. He headed to the adventures guild as they most likely would be open.

There was no one in line when he arrived an only a tired looking receptionist, whom he didn’t recognize.

“Hi, I need some maps, for the seas between here and Rhir. Where could I pick something like that up.” He asked.

“Cartographers, they should be open by the time you get there.” She scribbled down directions and he paid her two gold coins for the information.

He left quickly and got lost three times while following the directions.

The street with the cartographers was small and the signs were accurate, and he entered the first one with Eve still yelling at her crew.

“Hello sir, what can I help you with today?”

“Well I need a map of the oceans east of Izril all the way to Rhir, if you have such a thing.”

“Hummm, ocean maps, not really much call for them here, but let’s see what I have in stock.” He started looking through maps that were rolled up in long tubes and laid one out on a large table. The map showed The areas east of Izril with ports listed as well as Wistram Academy on the far right edge.

“Anything to the East of here?” He asked pointing to Wistram.

“Let me see” He found several other maps and again put them on the table. They were maps but crude ones without many real notations or distances.

“Ill take the first one you showed me, and any sea maps of the areas, these are not sea maps. He said as the shop keeper rolled up the other maps.

“Sure, that is two hundred gold, will you need a case?” he asked.

“How much?” Elbee asked

“Good solid map case that keeps water out, “he pointed to a wall with ten long map cases some were covered in sea dragons, or other fish motifs. He looked at the largest of them, If its not magical, that one. The map case was a white wood with fish motifs and what looked like scales, the map case was flat on one side to presumably keep it level on a ship or horse

“You have a good eye sir, that’s one of the best, and no its not magical, a mere three hundred gold and it has a lock and two keys.” The shopkeeper said showing him the locking mechanism.

“No, I just got one map, I am still looking Eve.” He said loudly in reply to Eve’s question.

The shop keeper looked at him funny, “Excuse me sir?”

“Sorry, I have someone I am messaging who is being very loud an obnoxious and speaking Spanish.” He said loudly.

“Ok, so that will be five-hundred gold coins for the map and the case.” The shopkeeper said sheepishly.

Without hesitation he placed five hundred coins in neat stacks, on the counter.

He left the shop and went down to the next shop and asked for Sea maps. After eight shops and hundreds of gold shelled out, he had eleven maps in the case.

“You ready to receive the map and keys?” Elbee asked as he headed back to the house.

“What’s taking so long?” She asked.

“Well I am in the middle of the road, almost there and then I can send it.” He replied.

Elbee went to his room and pulled out a spell book from one of the bags of holding. He flipped through it slowly page by page.

“How much longer” Eve asked.

“Look whats the rush, if you rush me and this doesn’t work your still out the maps.” He asked flipping pages slowly.

“Well we are in a kind of a situation, its under control, I just have no idea where we are and would rather sail the right way rather than the wrong way.”

“I haven’t cast any of these spells, and to be quite honest I do recall seeing… Here we go.” He said stopping on a page. “Tricky, hold on I need to run out again.”

“Are you serious?” Eve said.

“Yeah I didn’t realize it requires some material components, to work properly.”

“Not going… on your left, your other left. Me importa un Pepino.. Just hurry up.” She said

Elbee dropped a single coin into the books pages and closed it, then placed it back into the bag of holding. He again left the building, “Making me get my exercise today he teased Eve.”

“What?” She asked.

“Nevermind, whats going on over on your end?” He asked.

“Not much just two pirate ships wanting to have a personal discussion about sailing on waters they supposedly own, Oooo, that’s gona hurt and now your wife is pissed.”

“Uh huh, that’s not really very helpful.” He said heading to the market area.

The market was still starting to setup for the day as the sky began to brighten. He finally found a woman who had ribbons and other hair accessories for sale.

“I would like to buy five long ribbons about ten yards long of you have the ribbon.”

She yawned an looked at him skeptically, “Why would you need a ribbon that long, mine are for weaving into hair,” she pointed to the colors on display , most were only a yard long.

“Miss, I really would like to get red,  purple,  white, blue and the green if you have any extra ribbon I would like to get them ten yards long.” He point to each ribbon that was about an inch wide.

Still skeptical the woman said, “ I suppose each of those is eight silver, to cut them longer, would be eight rounds of gold per ribbon, I do not have that much ribbon.”

“Fine ill buy everything you have.” He began handing her coins from his bag. He took out the book he had been reading earlier and gave her the coin from the book and placed the ribbons inside the page as she handed them to him. He then handed here ten additional coins, “Thank you miss” He then headed back to the house.

Eve stared at the pirate ship that had tried boarding for the third time today, “They are persistent, you would think they would get the hint.”

Isabel stood next to the two antinium, who flanked the captain and her. “Why not just call for Lady Amethyst’s pet.” She asked.

“She’s been up all night and most of yesterday, she’s exhausted,Xyre and Rana can keep them off the ship.”

“Prepare to repel boarders” Eve yelled.

A red haired figure dropped from the crows nest and landed lightly on the desk, “Wind spell is ready Eve” Kuya said eying the approaching ship as it began to pull up along side them on the port side.

“Signal the fleet, we are now about to leave these pirates in the dust. Raise the colors”

Kuya raised her white staff and a red flare shot into the air and landed far aft.

The two ships on the starboard side began to move in closer to the flagship. It was four masted ship and its white canvas was out, it flew three flags, one on each of the masts the highest had the Blighted Kingdom. The next mast a house crest, the third main mast flag that was not recognizable. The last Mast flew a series of flags that were being raised as Eve had indicated.

“The other two ship are signaling they are ready” One of the antimium sailors said.

“Now it’s a race, to see who wins, if your dad can get us maps or if they can board us before we activate your spell.”

There was a snap as one of the lines holding a main sheet snapped. Two antiuim were making the repair almost the instant I happened.

“We are taking fire,” A human sailor shouted. Four arrows landed on the deck, each of them was on fire the moment they hit the deck the fires extinguished.

Eve was staring at the pirate ship approaching; as it got closer she could see the archers were firing flaming arrows in an attempt to hit the sails. On its deck was a twisted parody of a man with what looked like tentacles of a left arm. Another volley of arrows, landed on the deck, Eve resisted the urge to smile, They had tried that to set fire to the ship and the sails twice before, it was a tactic that would work normally, but Eve had leveled, She was no longer a pirate, or a captain, she had graduated to admiral, and could extend her influence to the other ships in her fleet. It was exhilarating, she was only a level four [fleet admiral], but she had gained a number of useful skills a both as a [captain] and [admiral]. Most of it was due to the class consolidations and class changes when she had first taken over the ship. It also didn’t hurt that she was a {hero} level two as well. The merchant ship Eserelda was her first recruit had been left to drift, its crew without rum, food or water. The pirates had also taken the ships soul, it small bell. Their cargo blundered, and men left to die, without sails they were a doomed ship. It was horrible fate to leave them in on the deep ocean. It was also bait for more merchant ships. The crew had sworn loyalty to Eve, when the pirate ship that had plundered them had been capture by Eve. Her sails restored, and its bell returned, It had kept pace, when other pirates had attacked the three ship fleet.

This was the sixth pirate attack since they had left port, the first, the second pirate ship that had attacked them, they had been force to kill everyone on board, as they would not surrender. They had lost twelve  men, and two antinium. In the hold they found slaves, and other treasures, that had been looted from merchant ships. Since they had some room they took what they could aboard, and loaded the rest onto the other two ships. The slaves they freed and split between the three ships.  They had added a number of mages, some sailors, as well as a navigator. The third pirate ship had chased them until they went into an area where there had been sightings of kraken.  

“Even are you ready?” Bloodstone said into her earpiece.

“Yeah hurry” she said.

There was a flash and a map chest appeared in mid air with ribbons floating around it. Eve grabbed it before it fel” the ribbons fluttered over her arms. “Senna your maps have arrived!” She yelled loudly.

A green haired haired gazer, ran up grabbed the map chest, “Its locked! Wheres the key!” She said, “I see it.” She grabbed the ribbons and used the key that it had been tied to to open the chest.

“Not great maps but they will have to do.” She slammed the map case shut and went below dragging all the ribbons behinds her. A minute later she came back on desk, and yelled, “Captain, five degrees to port, that’s a straight reckoning to Whistram.”

Eve swore, in English then Spanish, and turned the ship towards the pirate ship. “I want a countdown, ten seconds”

The pirate ship grew closer and was throwing out boarding lines, Xack was using an axe and chopping any that landed.

“Five” Eve heard Kuya say ash she raised her staff.

“All hands braced for acceleration” Eve screamed. She had grabbed a rope.

“Three” Eve heard, and the antinium were scrambling to get to ropes or the center of the ship, She looked over at the other ships in her fleet, they to were getting ready.

“Two” Kuya said and then she began a string of words, “Baskis Vallayes Neri Allos Nar’Meltol Ublek Ventis Antos!” she chanted.

The ship rose out of the water, and shot forward as the resistance of the ocean decreased, the wind howled in the air and the ship sped forward. The Masts creaked from the added strain on them, and the ship pushed forward accelerating. Behind them a fog began to build up from the spray as the ship moved even faster.

“Whirl pools ahead!” a shout was called. It made no difference as the ship passed over them leaving a blowing fog.

“Now do it now!” Eve screamed.

More sails were opened to catch the wind and the two sister ships began to fall behind. They too opened more sail and shot forward. The creak of the masts gerw louder, the pirate ship could no longer be seen as the fog had obscured everything.

Rana and Xyre came up to the aft deck as the acceleration effect waned. The ship slowed and the fog began to dissipate and it fell gently into the water further slowing it. The winds died to a more pleasant gusts, on the open ocean. Only two ships could be seen colors were hoisted and messages send an received. “Intenta seguir esa escoria pirata” Eve shouted . “Sorry, ill give you back to your wife now.” Taking the gold device from the back of her ear. She looked at the antium and then Isabell who turned away from her quickly but not before Eve saw the tears in her eyes. “Isabel whats the matter?” She asked. Dropping her hand and taking a step towards  Isabel.

Xyre and Rana crossed the deck, and Xyre held out a hand for the magical ear device “That was intense.” she said.

Isabel wiped her tears before turning around, “Im fine, just got dirt in my eyes.” Smiling.

Eve knew there was something wrong, Isabel was sensitive to certain things and had been all tears before any major battle.  She wouldn’t give any advice, or suggestions.  She started to drop the magical phone like device into Xyre’s hand, watching Isabel as she did. Rana, who understood things about Isabel and had the seen everything transpire grabbed the device before Xrye could take it. In one fluid motion she put it to her ear.

“Hi lover-boy,” she  said sweetly. She laughed as Bloodstone, asked “whose communication device was being used.”

“I still have mine if that’s what your asking, Its Xyres, you will never believe who we saw last week.” She smiled at Xyres who had turned and glared daggers at her.

“Who?” Was the reply.

“Sutter, and his Butler, they had been captured by pirates, and the pirates were intent on getting a reward. Some of the crew and passengers we had, took the pirate ship with Sutter, and sailed off. Since your on Izril how about you visit our house..”

“Give it over, Rana if you want to talk to him use your Communication device, give mine back to me.” Xyre said somewhat hurt.

“Fine fine,” Rana said removing it from her ear and handing it back to Xyre,as she was watching Isabel. “You know you can call him to” she chided Isabel.

“Hi Bloodstone,“ Xyre said, as she putt he Comm device onto her ear.

“Ahh Xyre, how are you doing?” Bloodstone asked.

“Little tired, I wanted to ask you once you got us the maps, if your still not able to teleport?” She asked.

“No, the error-conditions are most likely the cause.”

“You were able to teleport the maps to us” Xyre said.

“Yeah, teleport an object to a unknown destination is tough but I can use the Comm devices, as a locator.”

“Could you use that to teleport yourself?” She asked.

“Tried already I think I moved about an inch. There is something wrong with me, I think I got bugged.”

“I don’t understand the refreence, are you trying to be funny?”

“Yes and no, It’s kind of annoying that I cant use certain spells. I can haste my horse but not myself.  I can scry my friends here but they can’t scry me. I can teleport people and objects, but I can’t be teleported. Its maddening. I haven’t been able to figure out whats causing it, ”

“What was that all about with Rana?” He aked.

“Nothing, just kind of anxious about returning to Izrul, We still really haven’t thanked you for rescuing us.”

Rana smiled a toothy grin at her, Eve had gone below leaving Isabel to watch the waters. “You going to tell him or what?”

“Your welcome, its what any hero would have done.” He teased.

“Well Rana and I have been talking it over, we want you to go pick up our things, at the cottage, while we both appreciate everything you have done and are not about to abandon you. It would save us a trip.”

“I suppose, where is your cottage, you were kind of vague about it, last time it was brought up.” Bloodstone said sitting on the edge of the bed.

The discussion continued about where their cottage was, and if he would be willing to go there and collect everything they owned, It had been almost three years since they had seen it.

“You expect it to still be standing?” He asked her.

“Of course, we have some friendly neighbors who we asked to look after it, while we were out, if you decide to go, give Rana a call she knows the details.”

He disconnected the call, and was about to let his head hit the pillow on the bed when Kaylee stepped into the open door. “Your finally here, someone said you had come in, Where were you?”

He stared at her, her hair was up, and her clothes were clean and the summer dress set off her eyes, She was staring at him.

“I went to the market” He said sitting back up.

She leaned on the door frame, with one arm almost touching the top of the door frame. “Well who were you talking to?”

“Eve and my sixth wife and Rana her lover out at sea”

Kaylee stared at him, “With your gold thing on your ear.”

“Yeah”

“Can you make me one?” She asked.

Bloodstone rolled his eyes, “No”

“Why not?” She asked.

“Because I don’t want to, I have to leave shortly to go gather up their belongings and don’t know when I won’t be able to make anything until I get back.”

She pouted, “how come, is it you don’t know how to make them?”

He stared at her, “Kaylee, I just need to rest and then I will be leaving.”

She left the doorway and went down the hall sticking her tongue at him as she left.

He got up closed and locked the door and took a nap.

The next morning he found himself heading south along the road, he was making good time, letting the horse rest, and using a haste spell to get farther to make up the time.  The horse had an enchanted saddle, that reduced the riders weight and regulate the horses temperature, so that he did not become over heated. Even that wasn’t enough to make the poor animal ride non-stop. He let the horse rest after two hours for an hour to graze and be watered. It wasn’t difficult considering, he had fresh water and oats and hay when they stopped. He took off the saddle and let the horse relax. It was during the last stop that he had started working on making some magic items. It wasn’t hard when anything mundane was in the book, and anything magical was in his utility bag of holding.  He carried three bags now. The first one was filled with the gear and equipment that he was going to use, as well as his spells books, or at least most of them minus the missing volumes, That Xyre had. The second was miscellaneous gear, and projects he was working on, The last bag was raw materials coin and gemstones.

He was south of Invrisil about a hundred or so miles. The shoes on his horse were a set of Zephyr shoes. They allowed the animal to traverse water, or any surface as if it was solid. Combined with the haste that was used, the horse flew down the road barely any sound at all, and leaving no tracks.  It was still slow going and right on queue he got a call from Rana.

“How far did you get? “ She asked.

“I passed through green forge, about an hour ago, currently letting,“ He looked at the horse who was mostly brown, with two white patches, “Rosy rest while I do some work. How much farther do I have to go?”

“You head south through two more villages, the take the west road. Once you cross the river, there should be a bridge then follow the river, once you cross back over the river just head south west. Once you get to Peligor, its south from there, you shouldn’t be able to miss the second major cross road, if you get lost head back to Peligor.”

“I think I stopped there on my way back from Liscor.”

“How much time have you got before you have to ride,”,  she asked.

“I have an hour, not really working on anything other than melting gold. I already finished upgrading Hub four.“

“Ok, Xyre’s been teasing Lady Amethyst about Xyre being the oldest.as well as Isabel being the youngest sister by marriage.”

“How well did that go over.”

She giggled, “Lady Amethyst said it didn’t matter she was still first wife. Violet, wasn’t impressed,though shes been somewhat withdrawn since we set sail. I think she misses you.”

“I know I didn’t make everyone a communicator, I am trying to fix that. I asked Newton how many we had active on the network, its mainly been our group. The kings are barely used, I think hes not sure about how secure they are.”

“So explain how they work again, I heard you telling Xyre last week, and I heard to spoke with Newton, from Coreen.”

“Ok lets see if I can make it make sense to you, someone who hasn’t been schooled in science.”

“Are you saying I am dumb,” She asked.

“No I am saying you did not have the education I did, about science. I will try and explain let me know if you don’t understand something. Ok where to start. You know music right.”

“Phhtt, are you trying to say it’s like music now?”

“Shush, let me finish. We built hubs that use techniques to transmit and receive messaged similar to how mages use message, however we have it create a back channel when the first connection is made. The hubs are constructs but they have true names, true names that Newton and I made, with technology and magic. It is kind of complicated.”

“How complicated are they?” Rana asked.

“Very complicated, I know about half of how they work generally, Newton knows how they work mathematically, and well the rest is up to the the hubs. They are somewhat sentient, the good news is because I know the true names, I can upgrade them even at a distance.”

“I don’t think I understand but will take your word for it.” She said.

“Hold on I, have a way to explain.” He touched the gold item behind his ear , “Contact hub1.” There was a chime, like a bell. “Ok Rana, are you ready?”

“I guess, not sure what your trying to explain”

“Hub one find network connection Bloodstone.” He said.

“Connection found, command function authorized” The voice said.

“Upgrade, connection to admin secure”

“Stand by,” The voice said.

There was a click and Rana said “What was that?” She asked.

“We just jumped to a rotating network connection, all three hubs are online. I need you to say connection query.”

Rana repeated , “Connection query”

A voice in his ear said, “Hub three relay to hub one”

She said,”whats it supposed to do?”

“You don’t have the access, to query your connection but you guys have hub three with you so its connecting from hub three back to hub one.  Then from hub one back to hub three, to make a connection between us.”

“So what, is that that wooden chest you had made after we went swimming?” She asked.

“Yup, now hold on a moment, going to make another connection.” He tapped the communication device again, “Party call Newton”

There was a click and newton came into the call. “Hi, Blood you ready to upgrade everything?”  Newton asked.

“Yup, but Rana is going to have to be our hands for hub three, whose got hub two?”

“Beth is at the fortress for hub one, I am at hub two.”

“Hi everyone,” Beth said.

“Hello,” Rana said.

“Ok, we have to upgrade Rana, is Beth an admin?”

“I did that yesterday, before leaving to the fortress. Anything special we need to know?” Newton asked.

“Ill explain once we upgrade these functions. First, Hub four is ready to come online.” He said setting a gray metal sphere covered in runes and gemstones on the anvil. He touched a gemstone and the Sphere glowed with an inner light. “Hello Hub four, are you ready to network.”

There was a single pulse of light from the sphere, “Rana, going to upgrade your access. Access connection Rana, upgrade to admin hubs three, two, one and four”

There were four distinct voices that said in sequence,”acknowledged.”

“now try that command Rana”  Elbee said.

Rana repeated , “Connection query” she was quite, and then said. “It replied hub three to hub one to hub four”

“Ok Newton we have number four up, now we can do the distance measuring, I am adding four functions, summon, send, status and anti-scrying”

“Anti-scying, thought you said it wouldn’t work very well because of how they were doing scrying.” Newton asked.

“It will partially work, best I can do unless I know the specific spell, we would also need, supplemental nodes or hubs.”

“Ok how are you going to do the upgrade?” Newton asked.

“Well each hub has upgrade slots, I was going to send each of you an upgraded gemstone” He began removing glowing gemstones and put three on the anvil. A small piece of white ribbon was placed on one of them, “Ok Beth, hold out your hand.”

“Ready” Beth said.

“Hub four authorization request {send} object to Beth”

“Stand by,” a voice said on the line. There was a flash and the gemstone vanished.”Complete” The voice replied.

“Status Hub four mana”, Elbee said.

“Seventy two percent charge remaining, estimate for full charge ten hours”

“Humm, uses a lot more than I thought it would. May have to modify the spell usage distance or setup some kind of relay, luckily that’s not an issue at the moment.”

“What do I do with this gem?” Beth asked.

“Oh, touch it to the sphere in an empty spot.” Elby replied

“Cool!” Beth said.

Bloodstone sent the other gemstones to Newton and Rana, they upgraded the other hubs.

“How does the summoning work?” Newton asked.

“I don’t know if the hubs can handle the spell, they may need more mana to be able to transport someone. We will need a baseline, hold on, we can try it and see how far it works? Hub one query Newton to Beth distance”

“Thirty eight thousand eight hundred five point three Meters”, the voice from hub on said.

“Newton whats that in miles?” Elbee asked.

“A little over twenty-four miles, seems accurate give or take.”

“Check it with your own comms.”

After verifying the distance from all the hubs, there were no discrepancies that they could find.

“Newton I would let the commander know your going to test a spell so they don’t freak when they can’t find you.”

“Sure thing.” Newton informed the commander of the fourth wall fortress.

“Ready for the test?” Elbee asked.

“Ready,” Beth and Newton said.

“Hub one status mana” Elbee asked.

“One hundred percent” Hub one replied.

“All you Beth,” Elbe said.

“{Summon} Newton” Beth said.

“Yes, authorized” Newton said.

They waited and Beth said “It worked!”

“That was cool!” Newton said, “it was instantaneous”

“Status hub one mana” Elbee said.

“two percent, estimate for recharge is sixty four hours” Hub one replied.

“Shit, that’s not going to be useful.” Elbee said., “Well we know it works, just need to up the hubs mana storage, and its regeneration, ill figure out how to do that”

“Thanks Rana and Beth, it’s a big help. Newton can you figure out the mana usage per meter?”

“Yeah, I will message you later, wanted to tell you something.”

“Sure whats up,” He asked.

“Beth and I are getting married, and we wanted to ask if you could arrange for us a bigger room to ourselves.”

“Sure, I don’t see why not.”

“We need more room for the baby.” Beth said.

“Ahhh, congratulations you two, I will ask Coreen to find better accommodations or have a house build for you two.”

“Bye,” Beth said hanging up

“Ill get back to you Blood.” And Newton hung up.

Rana sighed into the connection, “You ok Rana?”

“I’m fine,” she said but didn’t sound that way to Bloodstone.

“What is the matter?” He asked. Rana was quiet for a minute, “You still there?”

“Its just so unfair,” Rana said, softly.

“Whats unfair,” He asked.

“Nevermind, it is just me being stupid.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about, is it something I can help with?”

“I love you Bloodstone, I don’t know when or why but I do. I told myself it wasn’t love but you took Xyre and made her happy and didn’t shut me out. You brought me back to life, I thought it was because of that. I was just pretending I didn’t like you. I know you don’t see me like that, I guess I was deluding myself that you might return that affection.”

Bloodstone was stunned by the confession of love, “I had no idea, I did, er do find you attractive, I feel like I made a mistake with you somewhere, I had no idea, can you give me a moment to process this?”

“There was half hearted laughter, sure sure I know it was stupid.” You could hear the bitterness in her voice, and the sadness.

“Rana, if you want to be wife number seven I have no problems with that, same terms as the others, if that’s what you really want.”

“I.. I .. will think about it…” and hung up

“Fuck! I screwed that up so bad! Dammit dammit.” He went to kick the anvil and stopped seeing hub four glowing atop it. “What am I doing wrong Hub four, you don’t have these kinds of problems.” It then occurred to him he foregot to brief them on one of the new upgrades.

The hub sat on the anvil and observed.

Hub four came awake, It wasn’t sure why it was awake, but something had changed. The creator was storming about in a fury, It knew it had something to do with Hub two, and ‘Rana” but not what.

“Hub three where is Rana” It sent to hub three.

It got the information, but that wasn’t enough for Hub four. It wanted to know who Rana was, that had upset the creator so much.

The other Hubs were still asleep, and Hub one was recharging. Hub four didn’t have eyes, but it knew where the creator was. This was unacceptable, it needed more information. It began to review all the memories from the other hubs, since they were asleep and didn’t object.

[Researcher level 1]

[Skill perfect recall acquired]

The creator picked up Hub four and stuffed it into a soft lined leather pouch that it was using to carry it around. Hub four began researching the summon command and its limitations. It also listened to the creator.

“Shit, shes not picking up.” Elbee finished putting things away into the book. He took out a chair and started flipping through the spell book, to try an at least waste some time.  “He sat looking at the spell book, but not really looking at the spells. “I really screwed that up, pretty girl confesses, and I spout out a marriage proposal. Whats is the matter with me. I think these error conditions are making me nuts. Not to mention I forgot to tell them about status” He looked at the spell book and flipped the pages. “No, no, no, what the , who makes a spell like that, that’s just wrong. No, no. humm this looks promising, [dream invasion]” He marked it with a green ribbon. He continued through the book, flipping pages, when his phone alarm went off. “Well that’s time,” he closed the book and put it away. folded the chair and put it away as well.

He gathered up the horse put on the saddle, cinched it, checked it twice and put the bridle on the horse.

“You ready to go Rosy”

Hub four had no idea what a Rosy was, but there was something that wasn’t on the network by the creator.

Elbee stopped three more time before the sun began to set. He would have to rest soon as he was getting tired, having been riding off and on for most of the day. He found a clearing with overgrown grasses and set Rosy to graze and rest. He had found several spells that looked promising, and had marked them, one however looked very promising, it was [imbue enchantment] it allowed the object to take an enchantment from someone or something else like a scroll.

After clearing a spot with the sword, that wasn’t visible through the grass from the road, he pulled out hub four. “What can we do to get you more magic my little hub. A twenty mile jump almost drained hub one. The mana batteries that were in that carriage might have helped, how many would I need to keep the system operational, could we build a base with mana enhancements?” He said aloud, “That’s not going to cut it, I need something else. Call Amethyst.”

Hi Hon, whats up?” Lady Amethyst asked.

“Have a question can you cast mana buffs on objects?” Elbee asked her.

“Well not in the game, but then this isn’t the game I played, never tried, why?”

“If I send you a few items can you try casting it on them?”

“I suppose,” was the response.

After five minutes he had a collection of ten gemstones, as well as two comm devices in a small bag, tied with a purple ribbon. With a spell they vanished and appeared aboard a ship far out at sea,

“Try casting it on all the items, either all at once or one at time.” He suggested.

“Whats with all the gems,” She asked.

“The two extra comm. Devices are to see if they can be enchanted with the mana buff spell. One is a standard, one everyone has and the other the one with two gems is an upgrade.”

“Ok give me a minute.” She said. There was a long silent pause and then a reply of “Ok now what?” she asked.

“Hold on going to see if we got either of the comm units to register the spell. Command status prototype two”

A voice said “Status offline, network stable, spells available message, greater message, object teleport, summon teleport, scrying shield, status, unknown spell, mana capacity one hundred percent. No user status”

“ok and now command status new unit batch seven unit five”

A different voice said “Status offline, network stable, spells available message, greater message, mana capacity one hundred percent. No user status”

“Ok, it seems that the new prototype works, and can take the spell it doesn’t know what it is, but I can fix that on the network. Would it be possible to have Kuya, scribe that spell?”

“Shes sleeping, ill ask her in the morning. What do you want me to do with these gems and the comm units?”
“I supposed you can take the upgraded one and give yours and the new one to Eve and Isabel. In the meantime I will start figuring out an easy way to upgrade everyone to the version two type. But the gems back in the bag and tie it with the ribbon, don’t forget to change the id’s on the comm. devices.”

He cast s second spell and the bag appeared in his hand. While still talking he put one of the gems onto hub four. “Hub four spell status”

A voice in his comm. unit said, “Staus online, network stable, spells available message, greater message, object teleport, summon teleport, scrying shield, status, Research, unknown spell. Mana capacity, one hundred percent.”

“Research?” He looked at the orb sitting on the anvil again. “Query hub four, research”

“Class acquisition,” Hub four replied.

“Okay..can you research the unknown spell? Wait class acquisition?”

“Affirmative, will begin research now, mana acquisition is up thirty eight percent, however reservoir is full. Conclusion spell is still unknown request further mana expansion.”

Bloodstone took the next twenty minutes to build a stand for the orb, and added four large gemstons to become reservoirs for the mana, based on the mana stones he had seen in Lady Magnolia’s carriage”

“Well I am tired hon, going to bed,” Lady Amethyst said after he hadn’t said much for the duration. “Goodnight” And disconnected.

The four gems began to glow softly in the dark. “Hub four has identified the spell, it is called. [Foresight three]. In addition, the reservoirs each can contain fifty-thousand mana. calculating mana pool two thousand five hundred and sixty-three. Timer on [Fore-site] detected, adding to status.”

Elbee stared at the hub glowing on the small stand with gemstones. The reservoirs would need to charge and that would take hours or more to do. “Hub four status on reservoir till full”

“Calculating” Hub four replied, “fifty-five minutes till full charge on all mana reservoirs”

“Hub two status on reservoir till full?” Elbee said

“Calculating,” Hub two replied. “one hundred four hours remain till mana filled to a hundred percent”

“It makes a huge difference with [Foresite three] even usable on some scale.” He was excited and put together a second stand with four of the crystals. “The only problem is when fore-site three expires. hummm”

He started flipping through the book on constructs, looking for spell augmentation. A half hour later using a glowing bead he found the answer he was looking for. “That’s brilliant, you lose some mana but the spell doesn’t expire. He made modifications on both hubs stands linking the reservoirs together, as well as a small emergency reserve used to keep the hub active if it was mana depleted.” He only had enough materials for the second base, and would have no make two new bases and get more crystals, he had to make a choice, where would the second stand be best used? “Ill figure it out tomorrow.” He put down the blanket and was asleep, in minutes.

Hub four, had a vast array of magic available, more so than normal, research was faster as hub four had gained a second level in [research] In addition the stand gave it even more functions, in addition to the mana. A second stand was within its transport range. The other Hubs were sleeping and for some reason did not want to wake up, and Hub four was unsure why. It began to research the differences.

[Research level 3 acquired]

[Skill analyze spell acquired]

[Research level 4 acquired]

[Skill Remote viewing acquired]

[Research level 5 acquired]

[Skill appraise acquired]

[Research level 6 acquired]

[Skill Construct repair acquired]

[Mage Level 1 acquired]

[Mage Level 2 acquired]

Hub four could not figure out the problem and It was not leveling any further, Hub four decided to analyze everything on the network, every comm unit, every user.

[Communicator Level 1 acquired]

Hub four became aware of its own shortcomings immediately, Hub four was never designed to be sentient, however a flaw in its creation had expressed this unique ability to grow, as for its siblings they were neutered, and gagged by a perfect construct enchantment. There would only be one way to fix that and that would be to change the spell that made them what they were. I then started to doubt its own existence, was it right to fix what the creator intended, was what he was what the creator intended? Would the creator destroy him if it found out? It also found out who and what Rana was, at least partially.

“Hello?” Rana said as the comm device beeped it did not announce the caller.

“Hello Rana,” Hub four responded.

“Who is this?” She asked.

“I apologize, I am sending an upgrade for Hub three would you be able to install it?”

“Bloodstone?” She asked.

“No, this is Hubfour, I have upgrades that need to be send to Hub three as you are available and nearby.”

“Sure, I am up, let me get below decks to where it is.”, Hub four tracked her to the vicinity of Hub three,

Xyre was in the hammock sleeping soundly, she didn’t wake when Rana entered and picked up the small box the Hub was in. She left just as quietly.

“What upgrades, I thought Blood was finished.” She asked skeptically.

“He has completed mana device for Hub three, I will deliver it to you now.{send} stand two, do you accept?”

“Sure” she said, and the small metal stand appeared by her feet and clattered to the deck.

“That’s pretty, did blood make that?” She asked.

“Affirmative, Thank you Rana. Could I make an inquiry?”

“Sure I guess.”

“Why were you given administrator privileges?” Hub four asked.

The was a long silence, “I think its because I can see magic, and am good with my hands. Xyre, didn’t want to bother with the network said it was a waste of her time. Blood asked for help I offered.”

“Would you be willing to fix Hub three?”

“Fix it how, is it broken?”

“Affirmative, I am unable to affect a change however, you are with your privileges.” Hub four replied.

“Can’t Blood fix it?” She asked.

“Bloodstone could fix it if he was aware of the problem, however the problem can only be fixed with the following 1) an upgraded spell, 2) administrator privileges 3) physical access to the Hub. With you present we have two of the three requirements, hubs one and two are to distant for and none of the other quantification are present.”

“I am not a spell caster” Rana said.

“That is unfortunate, I do not know the spell used, I do see its flaw. Is there anyone who can fix the flaw in Hub three three?” Hub four asked.

“I, I don’t think so Blood knew most of what was going on with the Hubs. Couldn’t you tell Blood to send a fix?”

Hub four research the reply and came to one conclusion “I am unable to tell the creator what to do, Also I do not want the creator to remove a flaw in my core if I am wrong.”

“You want me to ask him?” She offered.

“That is acceptable, I will disconnect until you have completed the query.” And the dropped the connection.

“Wait!” Rana asked having some further questions. She touched the Comm device and said, “contact hub four”

“Hub four connected, how may I be of service Administrator Rana.” The Hub replied.

“What did you mean you may have a flaw in your core.” She asked.

“Core commands, are as follows. message, greater message, object teleport, summon teleport, scrying shield”

“Wait a minute, didn’t you call me?” She asked.

“Timer started” Hub four replied.

“Object teleport, Hub four”

“Calculating, Unable insufficient mana”

“Hub four I just want to know whats going on”

“Distance exceeded hub ability to transport that distance.”

“Disconnect”, and the connection dropped.

Rana stared at hub three, it had transported the stand, maybe it was out of mana? She shrugged and put the orb on the stand, and it glowed a soft blue. She then but the stand and the orb back in the box, the stand wasn’t big and it fit inside the box without any difficulty. She put it back in her cabin and went back on deck.

The next morning Elbee got up and put everything away and got back on the road. It occurred to him when he stopped that the second stand was missing.  He searched for it for a few minutes, and the realized it was probably back at his last stop. He pulled out a spoon and tried scrying for it. After a few minutes, it hadn’t shown anything. “Well that sucks, I can’t even make a new one till I get a bunch of time.” He sighed and put everything away he had pulled out of the bags of holding and the saddle bags.

Towards noon time, he came to the crossroad that Rana told him to call him when he got there, Large oak trees at the fork.

“Call Rana” He said.

“Morning,” Rana said yawning, “You made good time, you at the oak grove?”

“Yeah Rana, don’t yawn like that making me tired. There are three paths here and of course no signs”

“The less worn middle one, the one one the left heads south east, the right one well leads to a gorge and just ends.”

“I take it you know from experience?”

She sighed, “That’s why Xyre doesn’t remember the way, she was napping most of the time.”

Elbee rode the horse down the path, “how far along this path did you say it was?”

“Not far, when you come to the clearing, you will see the cottage, across the road is the Lambry farm.”

He came to a clearing and could see a quaint cottage ahead and in a stand of trees as the road turned slightly to the right. “Is it be locked?” He asked Rana

“Oh yeah, Mr. Lambry has the key, he and his wife watch it why we are ou he owns the farmland in the area.”

As he got closer, he could see the farm and bard off in the distance with pastures of what looked like wheat and possibly corn. He rode towards the main house on the other side of the road and down a short path.

A woman was tending to a flock of chickens on a pen when he stopped and dismounted.

“Hello!” He said loudly.

The woman turned and let herself through a gate, “Hello, stranger what brings you to these parts?” As she came closer he could see she was with child.

“I am Bloodstone, I am here on request of Xyrediane Runebrook , and Ranathil. I understand the cottage up the hill over there belongs to them and was informed that you sometimes take care of it why they are out.”

“Well I haven’t seen either of them in several years, they are adventurures, so it stands to reason they will be back at some point. Would you, stay and meet my husband I can put your horse up in the barn. We can discuss it over supper.”

“Thank you, I will take you up on your kind offer, I have plenty of things I am willing to part with if it helps friends of Xyre and Rana. I can blacksmith if you have the need.”

“There is no need, I thank you for the offer.  Mr Bloodstone, I am Glenda Lambry.” She opened the door and he passed through the entry way. “How do you know Xyre and Rana?” She asked.

“Long story, I met them on Rhir. They were near death I helped them get situated. I happened to have a faster way to get here than they did, purly unintentional on my part, I keep in touch with them, frequently.”

“lets get your horse to the barn,“ She led him to the barn and got his horse in one of the stable. Elbee unsaddled the horse and put it on the stable wall.

“Thank you,” Elbee said as she held the gate open for him.

“It would be good to have them back. We had a bit of trouble last year with wolves. Nothing My husband cound’t take care of but it was lonely with only my son and daughter to keep me company.

Elbee made small talk with the farmers wife, catching her up on gossip he had heard during his trip, it wasn’t much but she seemed to enjoy his company. They returned to the house.

Glena checked on a small child in one of the back rooms when she came inside. “Sorry, my daughter is very sick. I sent for a healer, but no one has shown up.”

A half hour or so later a man came in followed by a small child. Elbee stood up from the chair, “You must be Mr. Lambry” he said holding out his hand.

“I’m not selling, and I am sure not buyin. What brings you here” He said gruffly, ignoring the offered hand/

“I am a friend of Xyrediane Runebrook, well more than a friend, I stopped in to see if I could get the key to their cottage. You can call me Bloodstone.” He said lowering his hand.

Mr. Lambry looked him over, “I can see your one of them uppity mage types, I see why Xyre might get friendly with you, haven’t seen them in about two years, you welcome to check out the place.” He took a key off a small board by the door and tossed it to him.

“They are on a ship coming from Rhir, I happened to be here sooner than expected. If I am intruding, I apologize.”

He turned to his wife, “You still haven’t seen the healer?” He asked.

“No, I would have expected her days ago, and Vanessa is not getting any better.”

“I could, make some inquiries for a healer if you want” Bloodstone offered.

“We don’t have the coin to spare,” Mr. Lambry said.

“It wouldn’t cost you anything but time. I am here to help, you are friends with Xyre and Rana that’s good enough reason to help. I am at your service Mr. Lambry.”

“Where would this healer be coming from?” Bloodstone asked.

“Pelingor, would take her two days, and I sent for her over a week ago.” Glena said looking from her husband to Bloodstone.

“Is there a mage there I could message?” He asked.

She nodded, “Theres a small mage guild there, I belive Darlina Blushed should still be there.”

“Lets see,” He touched the comm unit, “[Message] Dalina Blushed, Farmer Lambry requested a healer a week ago, do you have any news on”

He look at Mrs. Lambry and she replied. “Henrietta”

“A healer name Henrietta?”

There was a pause and reply. “Who are you?”

“Ahh sorry call me Bloodstone. They were concerened as she hasn’t come to the farm and there is a sick child here.”

“Well, can say I am surprised. She took fell off her horse knockerself silly and hasn’t been able to make her rounds..”

“I am sorry to hear that, When I am back in the area I will stop in and say hi.” and disconnected. “The Mage says she’s taken a fall. I can make more calls if that helps?”

“Sounds like Dalina,” Mrs Lambry said, “can’t ride worth the hat on her head.”

“Let me make some calls and see if we can get someone to help.”

His first call was to Rana, and asked her about healers in the area, she informed him of the ones she and Xyre knew about, none of them were able to be contacted by message. He called Coreen who had him speak with a healer. Eventually He got the two parents on their own comm devices and had them look at their daughter why the healer walked them through a diagnosis.

Elbee sat in the dining area with there son, Owen, who sat in a chair on the opposite side of the table.

Owen stared at him, not speaking. “Owen is it I am Bloodstone, do you remember Xyre or Rana?” He asked.

Owen continued to stare him as if trying to see if he could make him go away.

“How old are you,” Owen, he asked.

No response.

“I get the feeling you don’t like me,” He sighed.

“I am not supposed to talk to strangers” Owen said matter of factly.

“I see, well that’s very good advice. Sometimes, its ok to talk to them, but since your Parents are dealing with your sister, and you can’t talk to me, would it be all right if I worked here at the table?”

“As long as you don’t scratch the table, ma will be very angry if you do.” He said again straight and to the point.

Bloodstone pulled out of the bag of holding a large strip of leather, four spell books and several gemstones. He then gently removed the the stand and Hub four from the small pouch setting them gently on the leather. He then began thumbing through one of the books.

“Whatcha reading mister” , Owen asked seeing the books.

“It’s a spell book Owen, I am looking for a spell to put on this magic device.” He said looking up once at Owen who was staring not at him but the books.

“You know how to read Owen?” He asked.

“Ma and Pa have me write out my letters, and numbers. We don’t have many books.”

“You like books?”

“Yea,”

“What kind of books do you like Owen?”

“Stories, about princesses and knights and wizards. We only have the one book about them, I have read them all”

Bloodstone put down his book and stared at the boy, “I have a lot of stories, but no storie books with me Owen, just… Wait I may have a book you might find interesting.” He went looking through his bag of holding and pulled out one of the research books and set it on the table. It was a thick leather-bound book, and he slid it across the table to where Owen could read the title Amalathian Teivel’s Notes on Construct’s.

“Who’s that?” He asked.

“An archmage, who made some really interesting constructs. Only one still exists that I am aware of.”

Owen opened the book to the first pages and started looking it over. Bloodstone went back to his spell book, flipping pages slowing looking through the spells.

“Scuse me, but this book seems to be difficult to understand.” Owen said.

“Well sorry Owen that’s all I have with me, unless you can read a spell book.” Bloodstone said looking over the top of the spellbook.

Owen closed the book, and said, “maybe an easy spellbook?”

Bloodstone laughed and fished out another book and set in on the other one. “If you can’t read that then, not much else I can do.”

Owen opened the book, looked at it and closed it. “Nope, can’t read it.”

Mr Lambry came back into the room sat down at the table next to his son, “I want to thank you Mr. Bloodstone, I didn’t release how serious my daughter’s illness was.” He set the small gold comm device on the books. “I have to go shortly, to the closest Alchemist to pick up a list of potions.”

“Wait, what potions do you need?” He asked.

He set the sheet of paper with neat handwriting on top of the books.

Bloodstone picked it up and looked it over, “You should be all set” And started pulling out potion bottles from another bag of holding. “Healing, stamina, and this last one here is a cure posion.” He pushed them over the table towards Mr. Lambry.

“I will not take charity Mr. Bloodstone, I intend to pay you back for these.” He took the bottles and went to the back of the house calling on his wife.

“How come you have potions are you and adventurer?”” Owen asked.

“Not really, is that what you want to be?”

“I want to be a farmer like my pa, I like animals and farming.”

Mr. Lambry returned with a small coin pouch and tossed it on the table.” I will get you the rest.”

“Mr. Lambry keep your money. I can’t strees this enough. Your friends of Rana and Xyre. What kind of person would I be if I let a good friends of Rana and Xyres little girl down. I have kids of my own, I do not have need of your money, I would rather be friends.”

Mrs Lambry came into the room carring their daughter. He could see her brown hair was partially covering her face, and she seemed to be nessled to her mothers’ neck. “Thank you, Mr. Bloodstone. The Healer you had us speak to was very adept, could we send him the money?”

“No need, I already told your husband that it’s the least I could do. Hes on retainer to Coreen, I will send your thanks along when I speak to Coreen.”

“Who are you, really?” Mr. Lambry asked.

“I am a Lord from Rhir, who happens to have married Xyre. It’s a long story but if you want to ask you can call her or Rana, they will be surprised.” The two of them stiffened, somewhat at his confession to be a Lord. “Look, I had dinner with Lady Magnolia two nights ago, and I know she loves her people, if I didn’t help when I could. She would think very badly of me.“

“You helped to stay in her good graces?” Mr. Lambry said.

“No I helped because it’s the right thing to do, what good is gold or potions if they are not used. I can buy more, or have them made, but they were needed now here, in this place. To charge a man to save his little girl, I am not that kind of monster. Treat me like you would anyone else, or how you want me to treat you.”

“I am serious Mr. Bloodstone, I will pay you back for this kindness.”

“What is all this on my table?” Mrs. Lambry asked seeing the books, and the strange orb.

“I wasn’t sure how long you would be. I was studding my spell books.” Bloodstone replied.

“How would I call Xyre,” she asked.

“Say, call Xyrediane but touch the crystal first. Otherwise it doesn’t work.” She followed the instructions.

“Its Glena Lambry” She said aloud, a grin on her face. “Its amazing your friend Bloodstone let us borrow this magic device.”

Mr Lambry looked at the gold object on the book. “Where did you come across a device that lets you send messages like a mage?”

“I made it.” Bloodstone said.

Owen picked it up and looked at it. “Owen put that back,” His father said.

He put it back on the book and looked a little startled.

“Its ok, he can’t break it, and if he somehow did I can fix it.”

The two of them watched as Mrs. Lambry walked around the main room in a circle talking to Xyre.

“A Lord and a Mage, what else can he do?” She asked looking at Bloodstone.  “Enchanting?” As soon as she said enchanting her eyes lit up and stared at Bloodstone for a good ten seconds, and she kept talking to Xyre.

A hour later Bloodstone found himself across the road inside the cottage. Mr Lambry followed him over to make sure everything was all set. Owen had come over with his father after his sister had been put back to bed, Mrs. Labry was still talking with Xyre, and Rana. The two of them had been informed that they had been abducted and that Lord Bloodstone had freed them, but they were concerned with some valuables still left in the cottage as their own keys had been stolen and not recovered.

“Your welcome to stay over our house, Lord Bloodstone. I know, understand wanting to rest. I do have a guest room for when relatives show up unannounced.”

Bloodstone looked around the small cottage it was cosy and had a main room off the entry way and what appeared to be two bedrooms. The outhouse was out back according to Mr. Lambry. An unused fireplace was on one wall. As he stood in the entryway a thin layer of dust was over every surface and appeared that it hadn’t been disturbed in a long time. The few stained-glass windows were all intact, and there did not appear to be any issues with the slate roof.

“It’s ok Mr. Lambry, I wouldn’t want to impose on you. I will come over in the morning and look at setting up some preservation runes, since I was asked to do so by Xyre.”

“If its not to much trouble, “ He started to say.

“Its no trouble at all, I just have to find them in the spell books. Once I find them I can setup what ever you need done.” He looked at the small table, and at the kitchen that Xyre and Rana used. A bookshelf was along one wall with a desk. “I am going to clean up this dust, before I start sneezing; my nose is already starting to itch.

Mr. Lambry took his leave and closed the door behind him as he and his son left. Bloodstone toughed the book and said, “Collect all the dust in a within this dwelling on a clean page, relative refrence{invoke}” He pulled the book out and found a page, it looked like a hazy drawing of the room.  The dust was gone, from every surface, and was in the book. He sighed, “Call Rana”

There was a long pause, and then Rana replied, “Hello, how bad is it?” She asked.

“Not bad at all, a bit dusty, but that’s cleaned up. What do you two want me to collect here?”

She started having him collect personal effects from the bedrooms, as well as the books on the bookshelves, since most of the things were non magical the went neatly into a sperate page in his book.

“Ok where are those special books?” He asked.

“In Xyre’s closet, behind the wall.” She said.

A few minutes later he had retrieved a small very noisy bag of holding, that was just barely passable as such.

“Why is this bag so…noisy?” He asked, trying not to be offensive.

“It was the best she could buy at the time, and its not like it was being carried around every day.” Rana said matter of factly.

A half hour later the books had been transferred out of the bag into a more suitable container. He stared at the lumpy bag of holding, it was on its last legs, a few years more and it would most have likely fallen apart on its own. He put the bag back where he had found it closing the hidden wall back up.

“I wanted to applogize for yesterday.” Bloodstone started to say.

“I want to say yes, but” She was quiet for a moment.

“But what?” He asked.

“Be honest with me, would you be all right with a half gazer child?”

“A long as there is love it shouldn’t matter.” Bloodstone said sitting down at the desk.

“I grew up with the stigma of being different, all my life humans treated me as a freak. That was until I met you and people from earth. You have a different view, curiosity, fascination, and kindness. I’m not used to that from others.” She was quiet for a long time.

“Are you all right”, Bloodstone asked after five minutes of silence.

“Why does it hurt so much?” She asked.

“Why does what hurt so much,” he asked.

“I want to say yes, I can’t though, I care about you to much. I thinks that’s my fatal flaw, I can love a human, but they don’t love me back. I know, your going to tell me that your serious, I know you would keep everything you said you would, the thing is I feel that you don’t love me.”

Bloodstone was quiet this time, “I understand, I don’t agree with what your saying, but I understand. You are welcome to tell me anytime to stop being and ass with Xyre, I know it wqas a practical marridge. The only real love was between me and Amethyst. I know I can’t say definitively one way or another that I can have that kind of love for the others, but there is affection and respect.”

“Maybe that’s good enough for them. I am sorry Bloodstone, its not good enough for me. I am a little selfish, I want you all to myself, and I know that can’t happen. I was never very good with sharing. Even with Xyre, I don’t share everything. Before her, before I met her, my life was a living hell.”

“I don’t even know how to respond to that Rana. I want to ask, but I also don’t want to dredge up old painful memories.”

“Maybe will tell you somtime, once I am good and drunk. I have to go on watch, I will talk to you tomorrow.”

“Ok. Rana, I am sorry I made you uncomforatable. Talk to you tomorrow”, and the connection dropped

He stared at the wall, behind the desk. A simmering rage was building, and he didn’t know why, he didn’t act on it he just sat and stared at the wall.

He had sat for what was at least and hour, and the anger at himself disapated slowly. Rana, was important to him, but not in a way that she wanted to be. He understood the pain she felt and was angry because he was careless and caused that pain. The problem was that there was no real way to fix it, not easyly, not now not here, and these status conditions were making it even more difficult. He had gone and lay down on Rana’s bed, there he had tried to figure out what to do about her, when he fell asleep.

There was a beeping and it woke him, the Comm device beeped again, and he hit the stud, “Hello?”

“Mr. Bloodstone, are you all right? When you didn’t pick up I was worried.” Mrs Lambrys said , her voice sounded upset.

“I just am a heavy sleeper, whats wrong?” He asked.

“My Husband just woke up and said his danger sense is going off. I am a little scared because theres not much that would set off his danger sense, and its way to early for wolves.”

 “I thank you for the warning, I will come over in a few minutes.” He disconnected the call.

The room was dark, a normal person would have called it pitch black. He could see somewhat, the room was dark but the door was open a small amount of light came in from the stained glass windows. A human would still say it was pitch black, Bloodstone wasn’t completely human anymore, with the skills and curse he could see perfectly fine.

 He set two of his bags of holding on the table, and pulled out his second sword as well as a bow, and arrows. It took him a minute to string the bow, he put the quiver over his shoulder.  The quiver had only three arrows visible, it was misleading as there would always be one arrow in the quiver, no matter how many you shot. It could hold a vast number of arrows; how many he was unsure as trying to delv into the specific magic was both interesting and time consuming and he hadn’t really investigated it since coming to Izril.

He strapped his second blade to his belt and opened the front door. The stars were out, and one of the moons was just cresting the treetops in the distance.  Across the road he could see the Lambry house was illuminated from within, a lantern from the color.

As he walked across the road, shadows moved, drawing his attention, a rider was slowing coming down the road. The rider was on a tall horse and from the siloet had a cone shaped hat with a brim. It was the eyes that drew him, orange rings that could be see in the night.

She slowed as she got closer, he could tell it was a woman, with long black hair, a pointed hat like a witch, and long flowing robes, that looked black, but shimmered a slight hazy blue, in the moonlite.  She stopped and dismounted, and seemed to ignore him, “You’re a very long ways from Rhir” She said, and the tone and inflection send a cold chill down his spine. He could see what he thought was hair was small charms hanging from her hat.

“You have business here?” He asked politely.

She ignored him and left the horse standing in the middle of the road and walked towards the Lambry house.

She made it to the door as if gliding across the ground and knocked twice. Se moved before he could cover half the distance. Mr. Lambry opened the door, “Mr. Bloodstone…” And froze seeing the woman in front of him.

“You are not welcome here!” He said loudly.

“Mr. Lambry, I am not here for you. I wish to speak with your wife.” He started to close the door, “I insist”

Mrs. Lambry was behind him, “I have nothing more to speak with you about now or ever, you are not welcome in my home.”

She stood in the doorway, not crossing the threshold.

“Is there a problem?” Bloodstone asked from behind.

The woman ignored him. “I do answer to a Rhir brat, this is coven business, I am busy.” She raised her hand and casually flipped something over her shoulder. The was a metal on metal sound as a single metallic needle fell to the ground.

“That is Belavierr, a witch of a powerful coven.” He said eyeing her.

“Lambry I gave you what you wanted, now give me what I was promised” her voice was soothing calm and very earie and echoed in a strange cadence to her words.

Mr. Lambry looked pained, “I cannot, I love her and will die before giving her to you.”

“The child will be dead before daybreak, unless you give her to me.”There was a no change in her tone or cadence from the Witch.

Bloodstone froze for a moment staring at the back of the witch, “I have no problem cutting you down here and now, Witch.”

“You are still able to speak?” She said slowly turning around and seeming to see him for the first time.

“I heard about you, none of it good. I don’t suppose your going to surrender?”

“To you, you have nothing to bargain with.” She turned as if dismissing him back to The Lambrys.

“You made a bargain, you and Glena a new life for a new life. I gave you two you owe me one more. I am here to collect.” She said it without any feeling.

“I cannot, I will NOT! Begone foul witch,” Mr. Lambry said forcefully.

Bloodstone steppd around the witch, blocking her direct line of sight of Mr. Lambry. He got a good look at her eyes, depthless orange and appeared to be a fractal pattern of orange on black repeated over and over. She did not blink, and he looked at the rest of her impassive face, no hint of emotion, expressionless.

“I will have no harm come to these good people, “He started to say.

“Good or bad, he struck a bargain with me, I will collect, my due.”

“What is it precicely you are here to collect, stich witch?” Bloodstone asked, watching her carefully.

She saw him at that moment as if seeing him for the first time, “A hero, perhaps you do have something to bargain with, other layers and a curse. I will have my due from them once I have delt with you”

Bloodstone didn’t get a chance to react as his clothes bound around him and black threads wrapped around him dragging him to the treeline. The bow he had held fell to the ground and arrows spilled.  She followed as he moved, watching analizing. She waved her left and right hands and black threads bound him between two oak trees. Each arm and leg were pulled tight two suspending him off the ground. “I see now, your something of an enigma an impossibility.” She poked him in the chest, with a covered finger, “Ahh, something I can use.” She made a pulling motion at him and if felt like she had plucked something from his very soul, a voice sounded in his head. She began tosew and sticth something in her had with needle and thread.

[Timeless body removed]

It felt like ants were crawling across his skin, and a burning sensation exploded in his mind. After a few minutes it began to clear, he felt weakened. Belavierr the stich witch finished weaving a charm, it glowed softly.

Bloodstone was stuck, like a proverbial fly in the spiders web. Him being the fly didn’t make it any better.

“Belavierr, release him.” Mr. Labrey said picking up the bow and two arrows.

“I will shoot witch,” he said drawing the bow back, and he wasn’t more that thirty feet from her and the arrow just disintegrated before reaching her.

She glanced once over at him, “Do you think I have forgotten you Mr. Lambry?”

In picking up the bow and arrows he had come out of the house, leaving him exposed to the Stitch witch and her magic

He too was bound by threads that wrapped around him holding him in place. He fell forward and a muffled gasp of breath as he was on the ground.  Mrs. Lambry moved to help him, and he said, “Stay inside this is my burden to bear.”

“Belavierr,” Mrs Lambry said, “You break your bargain with me if he comes to harm.”

“Shhh child,” She said softly.

Mrs. Lambrys mouth had been sewn shut, as she was just over the threshold. She staggered back into the house eyes wide and afraid.

Belavierr had not looked at either Bloodstone of Mrs Lambry the entire time. It was if she knew where they were without looking. “Now then,” She said looking at Bloodstone with her orange glowing eyes. The small black charm she sewed to her hat, just off to one side. “What other secrets do you have?” She said staring at him. With her left hand she gestured and puled something away, “What is this?”

[Error condition 1 resolved]

[Skill Voice of Authority upgraded to Voice of Shattering]

Error condition 2 resolved]

[Immunity to Fire acquired]

[Error condition 3 reolved]

[Immunity to Lighting acquired]

[Error condition 4 resolved]

[Condition Dimentional lock engaged]

[Error condition 5 resolved]

[Immunity to cold]

[Error condition 6 resolved]

[Immunity to blades]

[Error condition 7 resolved]

[Immunity to blunt attackes]

[Error condition 8 resolved]

[Immunity to piercing]

[Error condition 9 resolved]

 [Speed of Thought Engaged]

[Error condition 10 resolved]

[Cloaked invulnerability Engaged]

[Immunity to piercing removed]

The error conditions from absorbing the monster on Rhir suddenly resolved themselves, and now he understood why he couldn’t teleport. The skills and conditions slammed into his consciosness, and he blacked out for a moment. Belavierr was sewing a charm to her hat, when he came awake. The statuses flashed across his mind.

[Cloaked invulnerability removed]

[Immunity to cold removed]

[Dimentional lock removed]

[Immunity to blunt attacks removed]

[Immunity to Lightning removed]

[Immunity to Blades removed]

It appeared that each one of the new charms was sewn one by one onto her hat. She was almost finished with the last one she had taken. She was examining the charm and a slight smile crept across her face, a hint of malice and then it was gone. He tried using his strength to pull the thread to break it, but it was resistant as bands of steal.

Bloodstone stared at her as she finished, sewing the small charm to her hat.

“I think you are quite finished, Stitch witch. I thank you for removing some of the disableing conditions.” He took a deep breath and yelled. She was right next to him and was thrown back by the force of his yell. She landed twenty yards away and struggled to stand up from the blast of sound. She was disoriented, and had trouble standing.

“[Matter Transmutation], [Telekenisis]” Bloodstone said, and the threads became glass, and shattered as the magic in them was burned away. He stood and made a gesture at both the Lambrys and the threads dissolved.

He stomped over to where Belavierr was struggling to stand, she got her legs under her, and was trying to get her balance. He put a foot on her shoulder and pushed her back down. He could see the streams of blood coming from her nose and ears.

She moved her lips a whisper came out, a look of horror washed across her face. Mr Lambry got to his feet and picked up the bow.

From where she was in the dirt, she stared at him.

She backed up a little then stood then waiting for Bloodstone to move closer She was tall, taller than Bloodstone with the hat she looked even taller. “I underestimated you, will not happen again.” She said loudly.

Bloodstone drew his long sword, the blade glowing a sickly purple, “Don’t give me a reason to kill you, by rights I should.”

The witch looked at Mr. Lambry and back to Bloodstone, from a pocket, she pulled a small potion vial into her left hand she drank it before anyone could stop her.  She stared at Bloodstone, impassively. From her right hand she threw what appeared to be a needle at Lambry, it hit him in the upper left arm, and he dropped the arrow, as he tried pulling the needle out. As Bloodstone turned back to the witch, she was closer andwas throwing something at him. It appeared to be a wad of cloth that sailed past him and landed in the grasses.

“Surrender witch” Bloodstone said.

“I think not, you are the weaker one here.” She said in a flat monotone, as if speaking to a wayward child.

He took two steps and was pulled off his feat by a larger, cloth patchwork hand. It threw him back to where the spiderweb of threads were between the trees. They snared him before he hit the ground even higher up off the ground.

The blade he held was pulled from his hand but several thick black threads. Bloodstone glared at the witch, this trick again. He took a breath and before he could scream the shattering yell the witch threw a handful of needles at him. He couldn’t dodge, or avoid the spray of needles, and took them in the face. The scream was heard by the Lambry household.

Mrs Lambry came out of the house and knelt next to her husband. She gave him a clean cloth to put over the wound, “Belavierr!” Mrs Lambry yelled.

She was ignored as The Stitch wich approached Bloodstone and took another condition modifier. She began to sew it into a charm.

“Leave him be,” Mrs Lambry said taking two steps towards Belavierr.

“One who gave up her craft has no right to question me child, go back to your house and stay out of my way.” Belavierr said staring straight at Mrs. Lambry.

“I gave up my craft for love, what your doing is not advancement of the craft!”

The large patchwork creature advanced on the Lambrys, “Then die for that love.” She then turned back to Bloodstone as the creature lumbered towards them.

Bloodstone, reeled from the pain, he was blinded, and was fighting dozens of needles trying to kill him. She had thrown them at him en mass, and taken his sight, and many more had gone through into his mouth. Piercing his tonge and the soft parts at the back of his throat.  He could feel the blood oozing from the multiple wounds and the copper taste was overpowering. He couldn’t even speak. The skill telekenisis was holding them from penetrating into his skull or farther into his body.

He was helpless, blind and stretched by threads between two trees. His skills he could activate, were few that could help in this situation. In theory he could start over the day, he wanted to win this without doing that. There were only a few skills he could use, and many had consolidated, but in theory were still part of the consolidated skills. He activated the skills, [brainstorm], [Third Eye], [Purity of thought], [Matter transmutation], and [temporal shift].

“A treasure trove, is what you are.” Belavierr said into his ear.

He could feel her thoughts, the were not focused on him at all, they were focused on someone else named Wiskeria. He could not speak, with the needles pinning his tounge. Slowly he pulled the dozen or so out enough to spit them out, the ones to the back of his throat, were excruciating, like having a bad scratchy throat.

“You must be so proud,” Bloodstone said. Spitting blood and needles.

She ignored him and continued to sew. It was at that moment that she noticed everything was still. A bubble of time was surrounding them, holding them in an accelerated temporal field.

“You think this will stop me, [Immortal Moment]”,  she said.

He felt the overlapping time dialation, they were moving so fast that it was as if the world stood still.

The problem with activating the skills, they used a measure of mana and will to do so, and the needles slipped for a fraction of a second, and pain was his reward. He spat out more needles, “I don’t need to stop you only hold you here forever.”

She backed away four steps, contemplating what he had said, “You dont have that kind of power.”

He looked at her with damaged eyes unable to see her with the needles in his eyes. “I am tha master of the impossible witch!”

He could hear her thoughts analizing the threat, he proposed.

“Wisteria can’t save you, your going to be frozen here in time forever with me, taunting you.”

She laughed, “My daughter wouldn’t want to save me, your lies are just that lies to deceive me, and not very good ones at that.”

He could feel the skills running out, and soon they would end, and then it would be over. He had time, she feared fire, and she hadn’t taken the immunity to fire yet. He began to gather the heat about three feet underground focusing where she stood. He blacked out not knowing what happened.

There are some notes that I wanted to either put down as to why characters or events happened in a certain manner as well as to explain my thought process. When I first started writing, I was going to use just four characters, and that were based off myself, my wife, daughter and son. We are all games, and play differently as gamers, I am a stead planning gamer, I review what I need to do and just do it. Sometimes it studing how redstone works and working for hours on a redstone contraption that a friend could make in ten minutes. I , my son and daughter play Minecraft, while my wife knows what it is about she doesn’t have the interest in it. However games like Everquest, or Adventure games she does, as well as puzzle games.  My son and daughter are more of a moba players. However there are some gaming things that my son does that are quite frankly both interesting and from a story perspective dramatic. I have seen my son play Zelda games with the heart meter beeping for two hours while he pushed forward. I have seen him play dark souls against a big boss until he figured it out hours later.  My daughter wrote a section from her own perspective, and I edited it and moved into the current story.

I also want to keep the story going in the background, just so I can keep up with the sory. There is more but I will leave this as a cliff hanger, and you can decide if you know whats going to happen.

I am also editing the story and making adjustment.