by Aleron Kong
“Oh, I can understand that…,” she said, “but how does your mouth feel?”
Sion stopped laughing and stared at her in shock. Randolphus’ cough now threatened to bring up a lung.
“Errr, pretty much all of me is closed for business right now.”
“Your loss,” she said with a smirk. “Now if you’re serious about making a kytachi, some monsters are better than others. Water based monsters are generally the best.”
“Like what,” he asked. “Lochness monster? Piranaconda? Sharknado?”
“Hmmm,” she said to Randolphus. “It’s almost like he is trying to be funny…” Looking at Richter, she said, “No sweetheart I mean like a water dancer, water elemental, or a kelpie.”
“Okay, so how soon do you need it,” Richter asked.
“Not until I have finished with the boat. It would be dangerous to attach a spirit to an unfinished vessel.”
“You mentioned enspelling jewels and attaching them to hull. Would that work with the defense +2 that Krom had mentioned?”
“I don’t think so. First of all, you can’t forge a ship. His skill with making enchanted weapons won’t translate to building an enchanted ship. Even without that, and I don’t know much about smithing, but it sounds like he changes the quality of the object he works upon. Something like that would not mix well when you are going to bind a spirit to the boat. Just trust me, Lord Richter. You don’t need to worry about the boat. If you give me five or six jewels, then I’ll handle the rest. What you need to worry about is who will sail it. One of the reasons kytachi vessels are not often made is that it takes an extremely strong will to pilot one. Ideally, someone with the Sailor profession would captain her, they get a bonus to ship related skills. Theoretically, anyone with a strong will could force the spirit into submission, but if you lose the battle…”
“What happens,” Richter asked.
“If you lose the battle, you run the risk of spiritual damage. You could have a piece of your soul ripped out. You could be killed. You could even be possessed.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Richter said. “You didn’t mention anything about possession before!” Now that he was thinking of it, possession might be one of the only ways to permanently kill someone like him. “There have got to be ways to minimize the risk.”
“There are,” she assured him. “I just have no idea what they are.” Richter felt less assured. “I told you that I can build your kytachi vessel. I never told you I could captain one. My Lord, what I recommend is you just let me build you an enchanted ship if you can spare the gems. Whoever you choose to crew the boat can cut their teeth sailing this first enchanted vessel, and improve their sailing skills. I also will fulfill a quest of mine by working on these boats. Speaking plainly, if we wait to build the kytachi, I can build you a better boat and you’ll have more experienced people to sail it.”
“You make a good argument,” he said. “Okay, we will hold off on the kytachi right now. I need the first ship built ASAP. How quickly can you have it done?”
“You said I could have one Mist Worker per day. Can you spare another?”
“After the armory, building the ship is the top priority. How about four a day?”
“More than I need, just make sure I have two at the start of each morning if you please.”
Richter nodded, “How many gems do you need, and does it matter what type?”
“Mid-level gems will work for this. I need five, though six would be better. I can have the ship ready in a little over two months.”
Richter looked at her with some surprise, “You said it would take three months when I asked you a few days ago.”
She shrugged, “Things are a bit different now.”
She offered no further explanation, so Richter just shrugged in return. If he could get his ship faster, then he would take it. Richter pulled out the appraisal sheet Hafiz had made for him. After a quick check, he removed the gem chest from his Bag of Holding. It was what he kept his gems in. He selected three agates, two tiger eyes and one malachite. Shivona caught a glance at the wealth of gems in the small chest and gave a small gasp. Leaning in, she breathed words softly into his ear. After the first few sentences, Richter began coughing. Whatever Randy had must be catching, he thought. When she was done speaking, Shivona stood up slowly and gave him a smile full of promise, before walking out of the room.
Sion looked at him quizzically, “Huh! I didn’t know that someone your color could blush!”
CHAPTER 14
Randolphus, Sion, and Richter talked over a few more items. Richter resolved to include Terrod in future discussions like this. Even though the true significance of Companions was still unclear, Richter knew in his heart that they were important. He needed to spend more time with the man and figure out how he fit into this new society. He didn’t think he would be including Elora in discussions yet though, he thought with a smile. Giving birth to a new race had to be hard enough!
Sion gave an update on his task. He told Richter that he had the components to make health potions of various strengths. The other sprite that had helped him with collecting herbs, Fudave, was an apprentice in Alchemy, and the arcane gnome that had spoken up, Beyan, was a journeyman in Alchemy. Apparently, the gnome knew several useful potion recipes including mana replenishment. It took at least day to prepare, but several mana potions would be ready by tomorrow. Sion gave him a smile and told him a few other potions would be ready as well. When Richter asked what they were, the sprite just waved off the question. Richter told Sion that he intended to leave in the morning to unlock his next power. The sprite said he would be ready.
Sion left, and only Randolphus and Richter remained in the room. And Alma of course. She had flown to rest on a sconce set into the ceiling when Shivona had started getting naughty. The chamberlain and his liege sat together in silence. Richter was pretty sure Randy was feeling the same thing that he was, relief and satisfaction at being able to just sit and do nothing for a moment. Randy started scrawling some more of his endless notes. To Richter, it seemed the perfect time to learn about a few topics that had been confusing him.
First, the topics of moral and loyalty. He, of course, understood the basic definitions, but it seemed like they had a specific and quantifiable meaning in The Land. He checked his village interface. Once again the sprawling forest of pulldown menus filled his vision. He chose “City Mechanics.” Sure enough there were two subtabs next to each other. Choosing Loyalty, a timeline appeared in his vision, but instead of dates it had words: Traitor, Faithless, Disloyal, Unreliable, Neutral, Dependable, Loyal, Faithful, and Unto Death. Each had a certain number assigned to it and productivity bonuses or penalties as well. Right now ‘Dependable’ was highlighted. Apparently it took +250 Loyalty Points to reach this tic on the timeline, and it offered a +25% productivity bonus. Morale showed a similar timeline, but the grades were: Rebellious, Hateful, Angry, Unhappy, Neutral, Happy, Delighted, Joyous, Party Every Night! ‘Happy’ was highlighted. The associated factors for Morale were productivity, population growth and something called fighting spirit. Apparently because his people were ‘Happy’ they had a +10% to those three elements. And if he got to Party Every Night… 50% bonus to all three, including population growth?! That’s the kind of party he could live with! He would surround himself with fine leather bound books… and make sure his room smelled of rich mahogany!
All jokes aside, there were clear benefits to increasing both morality and loyalty. Richter snapped his fingers. That must be why the ship would be completed faster now! He made his choice.
You have chosen the Tenet: An Honorable Ruler I. Loyalty +0.5 per day for all inhabitants.
There were other subtabs under City Mechanics: Health, Commerce, Statistics, and that was just to name a few. Two more specifically caught his eye. One was Science. It was grayed out, however, and nothing happened when he mentally clicked on it. The second was Faith. It wasn’t only greyed out, it also ha
d a deep irregular gouge through the word. Of course, clicking that tab also accomplished nothing. It was interesting to see it, though…
The other thing he needed to know about was the bonus experience he received from leveling, “Randy,” he said breaking his chamberlain out his work focus.
“Yes, my Lord?”
“I leveled my Trade skill recently, and before that I leveled Herb Lore. I received experience for both.”
“Yes, my Lord,” Randolphus sounded unsure as to what Richter was asking.
“So why did I get the experience?”
“Ahhh. I apologize for my confusion. To most people this is common knowledge. When leveling skills, you will receive a bonus every ten levels. It starts with 2,000 experience points and each level gives you an extra 2,000 for every ten levels. At level 20 you would receive 4,000 experience points and so on, until level one hundred, when you receive 20,000 experience points.”
Richter did some mental math, plus 4, then carry the 1, so… that was another 110,000 experience points for making it to the level of master! Richter had been taking his skill leveling at a rather relaxed pace, but now that he knew it could provide so much experience… well that changed everything! Richter would have to set aside some time for skill grinding sometime soon, but not until some other things were done.
They spoke about other sundry items. Richter asked if Randolphus had a good candidate to go on the trade mission. The chamberlain said he had found the perfect man, a human named Basil. Apparently, he was naturally gregarious and had managed a successful business for years in the Kingdom of Yves. His success had unfortunately made him a target for one of the King’s noble friends. Basil was given an ‘offer he couldn’t refuse’ to sell his business for coppers. The man certainly had an axe to grind against the current government of Yves. It made it easier for Richter to trust him.
More importantly from Richter’s perspective, he was a long-time personal friend of Randolphus. The chamberlain personally vouched for the man’s honesty and said he could be trusted. Richter wanted Basil sent as soon as possible to rendezvous with the ship captain. He removed two hundred Potions of Clarity and set them on the table. He also placed five hundred gold on the table for any expenses that might arise.
Randolphus protested the sum was too big, but Richter disagreed. If he was going to trust Basil, then he was going to trust him. Richter didn’t believe in half measures. Randolphus nodded his head saying he was honored for the faith he was being shown. Richter waved it away, uncomfortable with the older man getting emotional. He focused on what he needed done. Richter had a list of things he wanted to be brought back from Leaf’s Crossing. It included another two months of food rations, more vials, paper and a dozen other little items. Richter instructed Randolphus to poll the villagers and sprites to see if there was anything specific that they needed. He promised that he would take care of it.
That just left one unfortunate item to discuss, “Have the arrangements of the funeral been made?”
“Yes, my Lord. I have arranged for the bodies to be taken up to the meadow. I was actually going to suggest that we leave now.”
Richter nodded and stood up. Together, the two men walked to put their fellow villagers to rest. The funeral went smoothly. There were tears to go around, but the villagers pulled together in support. Hisako and the other sprites were present as well. Sumiko had cast a spell on the fallen sprites. It left their bodies wrapped in golden threads like a mummy. Richter was told that it would halt decay until they could be returned home to be buried in the custom of the wood sprites. The Hearth Mother recited a small speech in the language of her people at the end of the ceremony.
No one felt like saying much after that. They all went in separate directions to retire for the night. More than a few walked to the Quickening to sleep under its canopy. Richter couldn’t blame them. The sense of wellbeing that exuded from the tree was palpable.
Richter walked up to the Hearth Mother. She was surrounded by Yoshi, Sion and the other sprites, “I am leaving tomorrow morning. I need to finish my quest,” he said.
“Will my son be accompanying you,” she asked. Richter looked at Sion, who seemed confused by the question as well.
“Yes,” Richter replied. “Do you not want him to?”
“I am not saying that, but I well remember how dangerous my own quests to unlock my powers were. My son must follow his own path, and it will be as the Forest wills. I have a request, however.”
“Anything,” he said immediately.
“I would like you to take Yoshi with you.”
Both Richter and Yoshi began to argue against that at once, but she raised a hand to stop them. “I am quite safe here behind the enchantments now, and I have recovered fully from the battle. We will be working and fighting together quite a bit in the future. It will be to our advantage if two peoples are familiar with each other’s weakness and strengths. There is no better way to accomplish this than working together to complete a quest.”
Yoshi waited for her to finish speaking, then immediately said, “I cannot leave you alone Hearth Mother. These mists are not full proof as you well know! Anything-”
“Enough Yoshi,” she said sharply. She seemed to immediately regret her tone because then her voice softened, “I know you worry for me, but we must all take chances in the coming days. There have been more incursions into the Forest by those with evil in their hearts than any time in recent memory. Do not forget, if not for the efforts of Sion and Lord Richter, where we now stand could have been the heart of a goblin stronghold. Instead,” she sighed and looked at the Quickening with satisfaction, “we are sitting in the presence of a celestial tree. Most importantly, the other half of our souls has been returned to us. Instead of new enemies, we have new friends.” She patted Richter on the shoulder with a smile.
She looked at Yoshi again, “Please be ready to leave with Lord Richter in the morning. Help him accomplish his quest.”
The sword adept bent his head in acquiescence, “As you wish, Hearth Mother.”
“Daniella, will you go as well? This quest could benefit from someone with brains,” Hisako said with a wry smile.
“Of course, Hearth Mother,” the cute sprite said with a smile of her own. Sion gave a faint groan.
“Then we leave in the morning,” Richter said. “Sion, finish preparing the potions. Yoshi, let’s do some sword practice.”
The look on the sword adept’s face was almost worth the pain that followed.
Yoshi decided that this time, practice would consist of multiple sparring sessions. Richter first sparred Sion, both of them holding stout sticks. The sprite soundly trounced him up and down the meadow. His Companion was, of course, trash talking the entire time.
Unexpectedly, Yoshi had saved him by saying that Sion needed to work on his own forms and they faced off against each other. It was Richter’s turn to be amused as Sion was whacked in the backside more than once. Then entered Daniella. With a cheery smile she asked if Richter would like to spar. He made a mental promise not to hurt the small woman. He soon found out that his promise wasn’t necessary because apparently she had already resolved to beat him like he owed her money.
It wasn’t the most humbling experience in two lives to be beaten soundly by a three and a half foot tall woman, but it was up there! She moved like a ghost. Her two blade style was strongly reminiscent of the sword adept’s fight with the bugbear raider, leaving no doubt who had trained her. He face planted at least five times! At one point he was pretty sure he shouted at her, ‘Stop laughing at me!’ That may have been a hallucination, though. Richter was relieved when she finally stepped back and thanked him for the exercise. That relief only lasted until he saw the other sprites standing in a line, patiently waiting for their turn to ‘spar’ with the Master of the Mist Village.
Richter was nearing the end of his patience as he sparred with the last sprite in line. Yoshi had been watching his practice silen
tly. When he started his fight with the last sprite, however, he started ordering Richter to use certain forms. The names came faster and faster, and Richter’s training allowed him to follow. Before he knew it, he was standing over his sparring partner with his stick pointing at the sprites chest. A cheer rose up from the other warriors and even his vanquished ‘foe’ smiled ruefully before excepting Richter’s help to stand again. They shook hands and parted with no animosity. Yoshi just walked up and said, “That was less horrible.” Then he walked off.
Richter’s mouth dropped open in shock. He spread his arms wide and looked around as if to say, ‘Yeah boyyyyy!’ Sion just shook his head and turned away with a laugh. Daniella followed close behind him, already restarting her constant monologue on the sprite’s many faults and how he could improve if only he would listen.
Laughing quietly as his friend’s stoic demeanor, Richter walked over to Hisako. He made a quick request to which she readily agreed. Thanking her, he decided to keep moving before the heat left his muscles. Prior training sessions had taught him that as soon as he slowed, his muscles would cool down, and then the aches would begin. He collected his map from the sprites, and then began to jog down to the village. While he was moving he saw a minimized unread prompt, he had advanced his sword skill by a level! Pleased with his progression, he made his way down to the village. The sun was going down and he wanted to speak with Sumiko and Gloran quickly before passing out. Luckily, Futen showed up while he was jogging, and Richter sent him to gather the high elf and the Life master to await him at the Great Seal.
When he got closer to the soon to be site of the rebuilt smithy, he heard raised voices and arguing. Sighing to himself, he jogged over. Krom and four other dwarves were shouting at each other. Every word uttered got louder and brought the arguers closer together. Anyone could see this was about to come to blows. In fact, judging by the lack of other people around, Richter was the only dummy running towards this conflict.