“As you should,” Bloodnight snapped. “If you had caused them trouble—”
“She didn’t,” Becky said, cutting off the Matriarch. “I would commend Captain Shadowhand for her quick thinking and dedication to her subordinates.”
Bloodnight looked upset briefly and the others at the table looked shocked that someone had dared to talk over the Matriarch. Putting a professional smile in place, the Matriarch nodded. “If that is the case, I shall commend the Captain later. You are dismissed, Captain. Await my summons in the hall.”
“As you will it, Matriarch,” Shadowhand replied with a salute. She left quickly, shutting the doors behind her.
“Now that that is taken care of, will you join us?” Bloodnight asked, motioning to the two empty seats at the table.
Becky and Alvin took their seats while Kuro stood behind Becky. “Now that the people who can help us understand the dreams we had have arrived, maybe we can get some answers.”
“Your dreams were about the world being vastly different than it used to be,” Alvin said. “We explained some of this to Olmera and Istel yesterday.”
“We told those here the same as you told us,” Istel grumbled. “It is hard for them to accept.”
“More to the point, the dreams kept showing us a metallic device of some kind, calling it a kiosk,” another woman at the table added. “None of us have seen this thing before.”
“Because it hasn’t been placed yet,” Becky said. “The ruler of the settlement, in this case Matriarch Bloodnight, will have to set up the kiosk. Once she does, you’ll all be able to use it.”
“What if I set it here in this room?” Bloodnight asked.
“Then everyone would need to come here to use it, or you could monopolize it, but that will probably end badly for you,” Becky replied.
“You’ll be better off setting it up in a square, where the entire populace can get to it,” Alvin added. “The better off your people, the better off you and your town will be. Your old currency is about to be obsolete. The only thing the store will take in payment is XP, which has to be earned. Those that earn it can then spend it for things from the kiosk or from the crafters and the other businesses in town.”
“Silver, gold, currency— worth nothing?” a finely dressed woman scoffed. “How preposterous.”
“Believe what you want,” Alvin shrugged, “but if you don’t accept the new way of things, you’ll only hinder yourself. The metal isn’t worthless; it can be sold to the kiosk or to any crafter who can use it. The idea of coins or bars having any inherent monetary value is dead, though.”
“What would a man know of such things?” the woman sneered at him.
“More than a stuck-up bitch would,” Becky said sweetly. “If you don’t want to believe what you’re being told, then just wait for us to leave and keep doing things the way you have been.”
“How do I set up this kiosk?” Bloodnight asked.
“If you think about wanting to do so, there should be a small screen that will appear before you,” Alvin guessed.
Bloodnight’s eyes opened a bit wider. “That easily?”
“Once it’s placed, I doubt you can move it easily or cheaply, so pick wisely,” Alvin advised her.
“I have set the kiosk to be across the street from my manor,” Bloodnight said. “I do believe that is in front of your bank, Goldtouch.”
The woman who had sneered earlier frowned. “Why there?”
“So it is close at hand for me, and if you are right, then you will be able to laugh at everyone foolish enough to use it,” Bloodnight said with a smile. “It will also be a constant reminder if you are wrong.”
Goldtouch got to her feet. “I shall be leaving.”
Once the Elf left the room, Bloodnight cleared her throat. “I have asked our visitors to take Champion Skyfall to the Queen, to corroborate what the King has done and explain the changes to the world. The faster we adapt, the bigger the advantage we will have over the King.”
Alvin waited for the excited chatter to die down before he spoke up. “We’ll be leaving in a few hours, but we have business with Istel and Olmera before we go.”
“We can convene tomorrow to discuss things further,” Bloodnight said hastily. “Make sure they are taken care of. I will reimburse you, if need be,” she told the two crafters.
“I will meet you at the inn in an hour, if that is amenable?” Skyfall asked Becky.
“I’m sure that’ll be fine. We might run a little long, but we’ll probably be moving before noon. Find a place to stop about four hundred miles from here,” Becky said. “We’ll get you to the capital tomorrow, barring unforeseen issues.”
Everyone but Bloodnight and Skyfall looked shocked at the idea that they could travel to the capital by tomorrow. Bloodnight bowed her head. “I will have glyphs made for you by the time you return. Is this acceptable?”
“Works,” Alvin said.
“I call this meeting to an end, then,” Bloodnight said, getting to her feet. “We shall reconvene tomorrow morning. Learn all you can about how your craft works now.”
The others rose and bowed their heads to Bloodnight, beginning to file out. Istel and Olmera paused at the doorway, and Becky gave them a smile. “If you want to wait by the Humvee outside, we can give you a ride home.”
“I shall wait,” Istel quickly said, leaving the room.
“I will be waiting, as well,” Olmera said, following the more muscular Elf.
“I will be at the inn an hour from now,” Skyfall stated. “I just need to speak with the Matriarch and my soldiers, who arrived outside the gates last night.”
“We’ll be there,” Alvin said as he headed for the door.
“If we aren’t, just wait for us,” Becky added as she followed Alvin, with Kuro trailing her.
“Please send Captain Shadowhand in,” Bloodnight asked them as they left.
Chapter Nineteen
Olmera and Istel were examining the Humvee when the group emerged from the manor. “Where are the steeds for the vehicle,” Istel asked, “and why did you plate it with metal?”
“It doesn’t use steeds like you know them,” Alvin said. “The armor is for protection.”
“We can explain,” Becky said as she opened the back door. “Mousie, take the gunner spot.” Once Kuro got in, Becky turned to Olmera. “If you will take this seat?”
Hesitantly, Olmera got into the back of the Humvee. Once her legs were clear of the door, Becky shut it and went around to the passenger side. Istel was staring at Kuro and the gun, trying to understand the design.
“Istel, if you’ll take this seat,” Becky said, opening the front passenger door.
Climbing in, Istel turned to look behind her at the back seat. “It seems very cramped for a carriage.”
Once Becky had the front door shut, she and Alvin got in. Flipping the toggle to get the Humvee ready to start, Alvin chuckled. “It’s a vehicle of war, not a carriage,” Alvin explained before he started the engine.
Olmera and Istel looked apprehensive at the deep rumble that came from seemingly nowhere. Istel’s hand touched the dash. “It vibrates with power.”
“The power is what moves the vehicle,” Alvin explained as he put the Humvee into gear. “It’s a machine; no animals needed.” He got the vehicle moving slowly, so people could attempt to talk over the engine. Becky was explaining why Kuro was standing in the back to Olmera.
They arrived shortly at Olmera’s shop. Alvin let Becky know he would be back after he took Istel to her shop. With everyone else out, Alvin put the Humvee back into gear and proceeded to take Istel home.
“Did you get a better understanding of your crafting after yesterday?”
“I was able to make a short blade easily, and it was much faster than it used to be.”
Alvin pulled a book out of the air and held it out to her. “Here, take this. It will explain things a bit more. I do have a question for you: can you make Dancer’s Souls?”
“I was able to before the change, and I did focus on swords then, so I believe I will be able to now. Why do you ask?” she asked, taking the book from him.
“Since the Matriarch is going to reimburse you for your work for us, I want your best Dancer’s Souls. I would also like two warhammers or maces. Neither Gothy nor I have any experience with blades, but simple crushing weapons should be fine.”
Istel was silent for a long moment, and was still quiet when he came to a stop in front of her shop. “Only a Blade Dancer can wield a pair of Souls.”
“Kuro is a Dancer,” Alvin said. “She deserves better than she has. If you can make rare blades, that is.”
Eyebrow raising, Istel eyed him coolly. “Are you trying to insult me?”
“No. With the change in the system, I just don’t know if you can do rare items,” Alvin replied. “She already has uncommon blades, so they need to be better than those.”
“How long do I have?” Istel asked.
“At least four days,” Alvin replied. “It will take us today and tomorrow to get there. Maybe we spend a day or two, then a day and a half back here.”
“If you give me five days, I can promise you at least rare quality blades,” Istel said. “I have one set of them in the shop right now, but I would rather try making them fresh. My crafting book said I have chances to produce even better items than I could previously.”
“Works, and if the Matriarch won’t fund them, I will,” Alvin said.
“Very well. I will take payment in XP,” Istel said as she looked at the door, wondering how to open it.
Alvin showed her how to open the door. Once she entered her shop, he drove back to Olmera’s. The male Elf he’d met before greeted him as he walked in.
“They are discussing items in the back,” the midnight skinned Elf greeted Alvin.
“I didn’t catch your name earlier. I’m Alvin.”
“I’m Katar. It is a pleasure to meet you, Alvin. I take it you are not the demon you appear to be?”
“I don’t know about that,” Alvin chuckled. “From what I’ve heard of your myths, I probably am a type of demon. The difference is that I’m not here to rape and pillage.”
“I thought as much, since my wife emerged from your first meeting safely. Did you wish to join them?”
“Probably should… I’m curious, are we the only demons in your myths?”
“No, but we haven’t seen the others for even longer. The short, stout demons with fur covering their faces, the gargantuan fire breathers, and the green-skinned tooth demons haven’t bothered us since before the King and Queen split.”
“I see,” Alvin nodded. “I have a feeling all of those creatures have Gates that open onto my world. We’ve seen the dragons— probably what you call the fire breathers— at least.”
Shaking his head, Katar looked visibly pale. “One of those can kill an entire army.”
“Yeah, but I’ve also seen them be killed. Though granted, only if the people it attacked are ready and have the right equipment,” Alvin said.
“There are remnants of one at the capital,” Katar said. “The bones of the beast were used in the construction of the castle.”
“I’ll look forward to seeing it,” Alvin said. “Can you show me to the back?”
“I’d be glad to,” Katar said, moving to the door behind the counter.
Katar led Alvin to the same room as before and left after showing him in. “Hope I didn’t miss much,” he said as he took a seat next to Becky.
“I was asking Olmera about making us each a set of armor,” Becky said. “Having back up armor seems like a good idea, and the character panel does have tabs for different outfit sets. I think it’s so you can have different armor depending on any given encounter… so like, a fire resistance set for the dragons.”
“We should see what at least one extra tab will cost, then,” Alvin agreed. “Are you willing to make armor for us, Olmera?”
“I heard the Matriarch say she would reimburse me, so it shouldn’t be an issue of cost, but more of time. Gothy was saying that you would be back within a week. Before the change, that would have been impossible. Now… it might not be. When I woke this morning, my specialization was reset. I shall be taking armor going forward, as I think it will be in high demand soon, and that will help me make armor faster and better. I can get one set of armor done easily; if things go well, I can maybe get two done in four days.”
“Gothy’s first,” Alvin said.
Becky frowned, but didn’t refute him. “I asked her about my jacket, but it would lower the total armor to make it seem new, and it still has eighty armor left…”
“It might be better to have her make you a new one and then swap when the time comes,” Alvin said. “I’m hoping there’s a leatherworker at one of the settlements. We’ll need someone on the Earth-side of the Gates, after all.”
“We need to swing by the kiosk so you can add it to your network,” Becky added. “That will give them access to our stuff and give the settlements access to their stuff.”
“Do we do that before we leave or on the way back?” Alvin half asked. “If we wait, we can drop some stuff into the auction house over the next few days and rack up a bit of extra XP from those who see the glyphs and want them before they can buy the common ones.”
“Won’t that just be the settlements we know? Who else is going to be checking the kiosk that regularly?”
“Anyone who settled down,” Alvin replied. “We can discuss it after we leave, though.” With a smile, Alvin pulled a copy of the book from his bag. “I wanted to make sure you got this before we go. It might help explain everything a bit more clearly. My elemental compiled it for me.”
Olmera took it slowly. “I thank you. I will need your measurements before you go, to make sure the armor fits as it should.”
“Gothy first,” Alvin said again.
“She already measured me,” Becky replied, sitting back with a glass of wine. “It’s your turn, now you’re here. I had her take Mousie’s measurements, too, in case we get things set up for shipping items in the future.”
Shaking his head, Alvin got to his feet. “Where do you need me?”
“There is fine,” Olmera said, pulling a length of string from where it had been draped around her neck. “Please take off the long coat.”
Alvin had the coat vanish into the shirt. “Alright.”
Olmera was quick and professional. Once she was done, she picked up a sheet of paper and a pencil, writing down his measurements next to two others. “I’ll have at least one set done. If things go well, I might have both done before you return.”
“Thank you,” Alvin smiled. “I was afraid you were going to make me strip.”
“I’m not a tailor,” Olmera laughed lightly. “You’ll likely be wearing my armor over your clothing, so it makes sense to measure you clothed. There will be straps that can be adjusted some to help fit it better to a small degree.”
“I’ll try not to put on fifty pounds,” Alvin replied as his duster covered him again. “We have a few items you might want to try working with that are common to our world,” Alvin said as he pulled the cow hides from his bag. “Maybe this will help you in the future. It gives you something no one else here has access to yet.”
Olmera took the hides with interest. “Hmm. I shall have to see what I can do with them.”
“Call it a down payment if the Matriarch balks at the total cost of what we want,” Becky said. “We should be going before Skyfall waits too long.”
“I…” Olmera paused, looking at them, before she continued, “I wish to thank you. You didn’t have to take the time to help me. I never would have expected demons to be so helpful.”
“Not all demons are as bad as your stories say, but many are,” Alvin said. “We’ll see you again in a handful of days.”
“Let me walk you out,” Olmera said, leading them to the front of the shop.
Katar stood aside, giving his wife a kiss on
the cheek as they passed. “I see the demons failed to kill and eat you again.”
“Alas, you are doomed to deal with me for a few hundred more years, at least,” Olmera smiled at him.
“Ah well, not all dreams come true,” Katar chuckled.
“Now I know why I liked you so much,” Becky snickered.
Kuro blinked at the couple, her mouth opening to speak, but paused when Becky laughed. “I hope we’re still like that after three hundred years, Hero.”
“If we’re still alive after three hundred years, I’ll wonder what the fuck happened that we lived that long,” Alvin snorted.
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