by Han Yang
An older version of Becky dropped off plates and ale deftly. The bar was a madhouse and she barely managed a hello in passing, dashing my attempts to introduce myself.
“This is fantastic to see,” I admitted.
“Yes… Well it’s been almost five days of continual improvements. That Ginli gal said she is a Huntas. Which ta us, is just an adventurer, but by the gods and goddesses, she can kill the wilds,” Hudson said with a raise of his mug.
I returned the salute, quenching my thirst from earlier activities. “So… the bad news. Let’s start there.”
“Portin had raised their fee at the docks. Yorik went to sell meat, and yes, before ya tell me you wanted trade ta go ta Hexpa, these are desperate folks. Three weeks is too long ta survive. Luckily the city had a choice. Enforce the new choice or take a Gearnix ratings hit,” Hudson said.
Duke saw my confusion. “Each town has a rating. Hexpa, Portin, and many others are 100. We're 99 at the moment. Someone changed the tax rate while others were out and then didn’t set an exclusion.”
“Wait… We can get a negative view?” I said, between shovels of food into my mouth.
The room silenced when three bears descended the stairwell. There was a gasp when Joana arrived.
Instead of wearing battle gear, Joana wore an extravagant regal dress of blue and gold. Her normally hidden bust was on display and she sashayed across the barroom magnificently. I gulped as she scooted across the booth to sit at my side.
The bears crawled under the table to join us.
Joana gently lifted my jaw with a thank you kiss. “Sorry I’m late. This doesn’t happen in an instant.”
I had about a million questions. However, I felt a bite on my foot. I bent down to see a cub gnawing on my boot. “Ouch, knock that off.” The cute cub huffed before pouting. The sibling went for boot next. “They teething or somethin?” I blurted, wrestling my foot away.
Becky hurried over with three bones and the cubs were suddenly in heaven.
Hudson cleared his throat. “Welcome to the conversation Baroness. We were discussing ratings on the city. If I may take over for Duke?” Joana inclined her head in approval, sliding her hand into mine. “You start at a hundred. Yer actions, depending on how perverse they are, reduce your points.”
“So, like if Portin had a 0 then I’d assume it was a pirate city?” I asked and he nodded. “And they fleeced Yorik?”
“Two day trip each way if ya boost the boat. He raced there and they faced a ten point reduction or allowed him in at the free fee. I guess they wanted to set an example to the new baron of Norn. Gearnix didn’t like them exploiting the poor. A ten point hit was too much. But yeah, going forward, Portin is akin to robbery,” Hudson scornfully said.
“I take it the merriment is sold meat and my hard work filling bellies and coffers?” I asked.
Joana smiled, kissing my cheek before stealing a bite of food. I giggled at her antics with Becky on the way with two plates.
Joana had us scoot over so the girl could sit with us. I was going to protest when Joana squished my fingers tight enough to prohibit any such notion.
We welcomed Becky to the table and Duke said, “That is the bad news. My opinion is they have a spy in town. That spy sent carrier birds to Portin to say we’re planning to dodge their tariffs and can afford to do so now with a monthly train. Next step will likely be attacking the fishing vessels.”
I swallowed a lump of yummy red meat with a frown. “Can they do that, with the rating thing?”
“The ratings are how you treat others you have not declared war on. You should really go to the train station, young Baron. You’ll say you want to go to Hexpa and the manager will point to the map, explain the city, taxes, rates, and rules on the wall board. Then the managerbot will mention what active wars the city has,” Hudson said.
“So… Is Portin declaring war?” I asked with a scoff.
“It’s on their docket for discussion. The thought process is to raid and rob you,” he replied.
I turned to Duke. “Alright, I’m briefed on Portin. What else did I miss?”
“Three thousand trees are inside and the old farm fields are stacked high. Tier two wall degradation has been halted and the walls fully restored. I -”
“Whoa, already!?” I rudely interrupted. “Sorry.”
“I allocated a fraction of the spoils in the joint account. The mole bear dropped a tetradecagon - fourteen sides - the size of my head. Apparently, eating people makes them stronger… You got lucky you survived. That first shot didn’t even go deep enough to puncture organs,” Duke said and I let out a whistle. “That is just the tip of what Ginli has been able to bring in too. We have so many furs we need more thread and needles.”
“So the city is seeing improvements, excellent.” I grabbed a quick drink before continuing. “And the steambots, are they happy?”
“Indubiously. Their new lord and master is merely someone who wants to see them excel at the tasks they thrive to achieve,” Duke said in a flowery tone of grandeur.
Becky snickered, speaking up, “They’re doing extra work… Ma keeps complaining there is so little to do.”
I smiled. “Ah, well, there are always ways to improve. What else Duke?”
He extracted a map from his side pouch. It was a Norn interior map. “I expect winter to be cold but the wood piles and food storages to be high. Next spring, if fishing is interrupted, we’ll need more farms. Also, right here,” He tapped the map on a vacant spot in central Norn. “This is the mayor's residence.
“As you upgrade this structure it grows taller, increasing the view. I know you were wanting an ocean view, but we can do that and so much more… with mining.”
I huffed, finished my plate and felt bloated. Even downing my ale didn’t help. “Arg…” I let out a blech that earned me scorn besides from Becky and Joana.
Joana leaned forward, sticking her elbows on the table. “In less than a week you’ve saved the walls and helped prepare for winter. The immediate threats are tampered down and you need to set deals with Hexpa.
“How about you take a break? I scanned the goods in the warehouse. The weapons are more for show with custom expensive metal outer pieces that won’t level as nicely as plainer ones. I’d like to spend some of our hydrox to prepare properly. This city is short on venturebots and real animals. Moving ore from the mines… Well, animals would be ideal.”
“So what? Save the mines for later when winter starts?”
She nodded. “Sounds off, but yes. Trade is vital. Also, Ginli needs a break and there is a continuation train that leaves in an hour for Hexpa. We’ll be back right as snow starts to fall and the manor can be built while we’re gone.”
“What happens if some Portin guy comes over and tries to claim my Barony?” I grunted, not loving the idea of leaving already.
Duke said, “There were options for additional information on your selections. Dictatorship is unique. The only way to claim a dictatorship city is to rest it from the hands of a dictator. Normally solved by a duel to the death or just killing the leader.”
I held my hands up defensively. “And you think I should leave?”
Duke nodded. “I promise the town will be safe in our control when you return and any challenges dealt with. We need trading partners more than ever. Our raw hydrox can buy a lot of common supplies this town needs.
“Portin will not make a move so soon. Their vote on measures of war is not even until next month and it will likely fail. Also, Ginli needs to figure out if she is to rule at your side or flee. This will be her opportunity.”
“Where is she and how did I get these foot chewers?” I asked, pointing at the cute cubs. “They’re adorable.”
“I’ll tell the story later. Ginli is preparing to lock the gates. The final logs and hunting remains are being dragged in,” Joana said with a mischievous smile.
“And the cubs?” I asked.
Becky smiled and said, “Baroness Joana said I’d e
arn favor with the Baron if I watched over his guard bears.”
My ability to retort was canceled by a thigh squeeze, so I smiled. I didn’t have to win every argument and this situation was probably the best for everyone. It did explain her place at the table. She was going to be my bear cub godmother.
“Are the trade goods loaded up?” I asked Hudson.
He nodded. “Furs, meat, claws, a few quality cuts that achieved excellent, and then trinkets from the locals. My family and I will be purchasing our own suite.”
“Achieved excellent?” I was confused.
“The sawmill takes a tree and cycles it to create a plank for assembling, say a floorboard. That plank can come out basic, common, rare, excellent, and perfect. Each tier of building requires a specific type of plank.
“You can use higher for a lower building, but no one does. Rare aren’t worth hauling. So we can sell those and it’ll help with restoring the docks or building defenses.”
“Building defense?” I blurted with curiosity.
Joana groaned. “I’m trying to get him on a train, fellas. Ginli will cover defenses.”
“I thought you said we had an hour?”
“Uh… we need to have a private discussion in our room first. Won’t take more than an hour,” Joana said with Becky giggling.
“I really wanna hear about defenses. I’m sure we can have our private discussion here,” I replied and everyone but the hybrid steambot rolled their eyes.
Joana stuck her right index finger into a hole on her left hand. After about the fifth insertion it finally dinged on me.
“Oh! That kinda conversation. Yea, I’d love to.”
We excused ourselves for some boot knocking good times that left us both grinning from ear to ear.
Almost an hour later we were rushing for the train station.
“You excited for yer first train ride?” Joana asked with a sauntering smirk. I wheeled her big suitcase she somehow had managed to find items to fill it with.
“Joana, darling. I’d love to visit Hexpa with you and Ginli. It’ll be good to introduce ourselves to our neighbors. Let’s just hope they welcome us openly.”
The toot of the arriving train had us running to get on board for the latest adventure.
CHAPTER 21
Ginli rested her head against my thigh with a blanket up to her shoulders. I sat on a long couch she laid out on, staring at the city that would be my future. Curses from Joana sorting our luggage in the walk in closet had me smiling. She was complaining about the small space.
Ginli sighed, closing her eyes as she relaxed.
“Hey, thanks for all the hard work,” I said, stroking her hair.
She nodded. “I… kinda got a bit carried away after you almost died. The only thing that made me feel alive was risking death.”
I noticed she wasn’t despondent or depressed. Ginli was soaking in my affectionate caress. I… I was conflicted and yet, this is what she needed. I was the one she sought the attention from.
When we arrived at the train station the girls burst into gossiping whispers of excitement. Me, well, I was enthralled by the manager station.
The manager invited me in, showing me a round table map that looked oddly familiar while being foreign to me. I realized trying to reclaim lost memories would only infuriate me so I paid attention.
Hexpa was pointed at and a tablet on the wall was highlighted.
City: Hexpa
Information: Hexpa was founded during the creation of Gearnix. It is ruled by a Democratic Council that maintains peace with a large law force. The tier six walls and opulent beauty of the city make it a great tourist destination. The low danger wilds leave much to be desired for adventurers. Trade is the city's primary goal with no import fees. With a trustworthy rating, it is a well-reviewed city.
Cost:
Summoning - 100 cubes of Hydrox
After Summoning or Continuation Costs:
Suite - 10 cubes of Hydrox
Tonnage - 8 cube of Hydrox
General Boarding - 1 cube of Hydrox
Hexpa Statistic:
Population: 27,392
Trade Import Rate: 0%
Trade Export Rate: 0%
Rating: 100%
Taxation: 20%
Wall Level: 6
Wilds: Tame
Adventuring Restrictions:
Active Charters must be stamped by Hexpa for approval
Taxation Rate for travelers: 20%
Immigration Status:
Accepting: Apply at local immigration office
Hexpa Active Wars:
None
Time to travel: 8 days 4 hours.
Unfortunately I was rushed into the train, prohibiting further questions.
I found the train suite was lavish with a simple style. We paid for our suite that was an empty car slotted onto the back of the train.
There wasn’t much to the space. The front half of the train car was a lounging area with a table, couch, and reading nook. In the back was a single bed with a small privy next to a closet.
“I want to talk about me and then Duke,” Ginli said in a serious tone. “Why do you trust me not to steal everything and flee?”
“Ah, you may not like the answer,” I told her in a soothing tone. Joana returned from the closet with a book. She flashed the cover before sitting to study. A guide to leveling cooking. “I love it, but… I already adore your food.”
“What’s wrong with Duke?” Joana asked and Ginli huffed.
I could tell she was wanting to hear my opinion. “You lived a life of luxury. Your mother is gone. So, could you steal from me? Maybe, but it wouldn’t get you far. Your days of gallivanting are not necessarily over though.”
She shifted onto her back to stare up at me. Ginli was beautiful in a different way than Joana, and very attractive with her sharp features. A fact she probably used to exploit people with. Hell, even I was seeing the effect beauty had on others with my shadow, Becky.
“Explain, please. And I didn’t mind hearing that.” Ginli shifted the blanket, replaced my hand to keep stroking her hair.
“So you steal from me and you can splurge and then what? Make sage investments alone in a penthouse. No… not your style. I do think you’re changing and open to more of it…” I hesitated to keep going. “Let me tell you girls something that concerns me, about me.”
Joana set her book down, swiveled her seat, and gave me her full attention. The train gave a choo-choo before lurching forward.
When we picked up speed, I watched the tiny town of Norn transition into trees. The evening sky shot a golden hue into our cabin and the tips of the trees below glowed magnificently.
“I… saw orange on Duke. I know I saw orange on his head and also while creating his brain processor. I keep having gnawing memories tugging to come back, but escaping my grasp. Memories since my arrival are disappearing,” I said and they both frowned. “As in, not from a crash that makes zero sense I survived from. With those being the facts. I'm surprised you trust me.”
“Any idea what the memories even relate to?” Ginli asked with concern.
Joana nodded. “We should record things for you going forward.” She shot up, heading into the bedroom. “Grabbing a pencil and a notebook. Alright let’s record what we can.”
“Well, it starts with the Mistress, at least I think it does. I knew something of my origins and resisted telling the interrogators. I don’t know what it was. No matter how hard I try, the memories escape me. I get a feeling my story is all false, and at some point in the future I want to visit Ocarna,” I said, running my fingers into a knot of hair. I gently undid the clump carefully.
“Okay got that, what else?” Joana said.
“I knew why I saw the orange, at the moment it made sense, or had an idea of where it came from. Now I don’t.” I waited until her pencil stopped. “Who is Darcy and why do I name my blunderbusses after her?”
“I thought she was a lover or sister. Maybe
a mother,” Ginli said.
Joana nodded then shook her head. “Not a lover. We may have a unique situation... I’d like to believe that if Bradley washed up in Portin remembering us, he’d be flirting with girls. Sister or Mother.”
I opened my mouth, then shook my head. “It just slips. Everything I’ve learned about Gearnix I retain. Except for Duke’s origins. Which brings me back around to what I was getting at with you Ginli.
“I don’t need to pretend I’ve changed. I have. I’ve adapted my dialect, heel, even your slang is less prevalent to me. I hear yer, ta, ya, as your, to, and you. I’ve grown used to customs somewhat. Oh, and I’m nervous around you and Joana.” I was planning to keep going when Joana held a hand up.
“Do you find three people being in a relationship wrong?” Joana asked me.
I nodded. “It’s not normal.”
Ginli said, “Close your eyes. Good. Think back to the restaurant at my old home. The seating around us. I remember you fixated on seeing Leon and Lei,” she said, guiding me through the memory. “Those guests, you briefly studied them. What do you see? Try to recall the way in and out.”
I kept my eyes closed and said. “That one is easy. There were mostly couples and then groups with friends.”
“The groups. Focus on them. Explain the ratio of men to women,” Joana said.
I recalled a fancy gentleman around three lady friends. A hawkish looking woman with excessive augmentations and five male friends. The majority was two friends having lunch with… I saw two men, each holding hands with a single woman.
“Oh… I take it there is no rules on marriage. I have been fighting this awkward two ladies thing, thinking it’s wrong. Is it not?”
Ginli snickered. “I’ve been in relationships both ways. Many ways,” she all but purred out. “Completely legal in almost every Gearnix City. You could ban it if you’d like but the people would still do it.”
“Well, thank you for clarifying that. Makes a few sights I’ve seen in passing make more sense now. Joana, write this please.” I steered the conversation back to my changes. “I was so assertive and certain around Joana at first and now I blush when she bats her eyes. My initial days I knew nothing in Langshire would matter.