Dinner wasn’t a solemn affair this night as the children regaled him with what they did today. Afterwards Cage showed them his newest trick by making things disappear in his pocket. The group of five children, two being his, took it as a game to see how he had done it. They were so focused on him, they didn’t see all the parents smiling or trying hard not to laugh.
Megdline waited as she had the morning before when Cage finished his morning with the adults and growing another week’s worth of food for the tribe. He touched down and all four members of his family landed without issue. Daku stayed perched on his shoulder during the flight to get more accustomed to flying multiple passengers. “You seen pretty happy this morning, Granny.”
“Oh I am!” She retorted with enthusiasm. Megdline stood and came over to the group. “I was finally able to get a response from one of my husband’s aids about an hour ago.” She casually held her staff when she stopped in front of them all. “Of the twelve sorcerers who came for you, each had large bounties and a long list of crimes against humanity and the peoples of Emroc and Vlara. The total for their bounties as a whole tally three hundred and one thousand, eight hundred and two gold pieces. If the seven who were killed were alive it would have been around five hundred thousand. And therefore, by our rules Cage you’ve gained all profits.”
“Three hundred thousand?!” Meeka expressed in a shallow breath. When the sorceress nodded Meeka stated “That could possibly buy every house in Kote outright fifty times over.”
Cage could only blink towards his teacher. He never imagined what his actions had created. Being on this world less than a year he’d suddenly found himself exceptionally wealthy. Having that much money certainly couldn’t hurt and could go a long way. “Granny, how do I go about receiving such a gross sum?”
“I merely need your permission to Jump the funds here. Do I have it?”
“Yes.” Then an idea sprung to mind. “Wait…” Megdline lowered her staff with a questioning look. “I’d like to ask if there is a way I could buy raw crystals with some of that money? Oh and I’d like to give you some, plus the two grand of gold you used to buy spider silk for my robe…”
Megdline studied him closely for several seconds before deciding “Yes, I can have someone buy crystals out of the bounty. It will cost you three gold to have another do the shopping for you, but I can make sure you get quality crystals. As for giving me money, I will only take the two for the silk. The rest I couldn’t care less about. How much are you planning to spend on crystals?”
“That I’m not too sure about.” Cage honestly replied. “I’ve never had the opportunity to deal with gems or how they are priced. I’d like to get quite a few so I can learn more about them and how they are so versatile for us. Different sizes would be good for my personal research. Most I’ll be using to add to the island.”
“Since Twilight highly regulates gems of any kind they will be more expensive than glass jewelry or rhinestones. Crystals are the most basic and cheaper type, but they are as effective as any other gemstone. If you’re going to be studying them, might I suggest a variety of sizes with a mixture of flawless to defective so you can get much more efficient at them?” He nodded. “And how many did you say would be needed to make you feel safer here again?”
“Around six hundred.” He responded.
Megdline’s eyes unfocused as she pondered the request and stayed silent for a good minute before speaking again. “Would you be willing to spend around seven to eight thousand for about six hundred marble size crystals, ten of small, medium, and three large of varying quality?”
Since he still wasn’t entirely used to the monetary system, Cage looked to Meeka for help. She noticed his questioning expression with great accuracy. “If you need that many crystals, Cage, that is a fair price for actual gemstones. Commoners cannot afford true gems easily. The crystal you gave me” She showed the one attached to her left wrist. “would sell for about five gold at least.”
“If you say so.” Cage said and returned his attention. “Then I’m willing to pay that much, Granny, along with the two thousand for the silk.”
“Give me about an hour and I’ll have it ready to be Jumped here.”
“Oh, don’t forget. Incoming Jumps will be diverted to the pillars. And the password is now ‘Supernova.’” He said. “I have a few things to do, let me know when all is said and done.” Megdline nodded.
Crossing the bridge Brooke asked “Meeka Love, why do you seem so excited?”
“Can you not understand?” The healer said delightfully. Brooke shook her head. “Well with that much money we can buy everything we will ever need for the winter without even needing to trade. Our worries of starvation or freezing to death are now over.”
“But Meeka Mother,” Rena said. “I have been making carvings for necklaces for almost two weeks to trade. I’ve worked hard. Does this mean I cannot get something for it if we have this gold Dad showed us?”
Meeka realized how deeply the words cut her new daughter. She has been working hard and to have it all be proven in vain would be hurtful. Acting quickly, Meeka shook her head. “Of course you can still trade, Rena. When we go visit your grandparents for the harvest, we all can trade. Just in case it won’t be enough, the money will make this winter bearable.”
“Even if the whole tribe pooled their goods, it would likely buy a horse or a cow. I plan to by several heads of cattle, maybe some sheep and goats.” Cage said clearly while stepping inside the house. “I’ll also be able to buy plenty of iron. We’ll see what we get in trade in a few weeks. I’ll be able to cover however much we will be short. I’m going to get started on Cillian’s bow today.”
“Dad, why would we need goats, cows or horses?” Sean asked.
“Because I plan on making another island dedicated to safely house livestock. Several chickens were killed by wolves, I learned today from several hunters. I’d like to widen my diet a bit. I need milk to drink and make cheese. There are a few treats I can make too.” Cage said, heading for his study.
“An island, Dad?” Sean asked. “Why? How?”
His whole family stared at him. “Because our people need to have a place to keep animals away from the few predator on the island. It will be a place where the tribe can always have a source of meat. If the wolves and mountain lions keep finding easy prey like chickens, it will lure them too close to our people. It would only be a matter of time before a child is attacked and killed. Our people would then soon hunt down every predator whether I forbade it or not. If I do not act soon, when winter hits and they get hungry…” he left the rest unsaid to the imagination to figure out. “As to how I’ll make the island… To the west, just off the beach there is a shallow sandbar that stretches a mile and a half before it reaches the reef. I’m going to send large rocks to ring the selected area so that I can fill the void with dirt and sand, enough so that it will make a small island still well within the boundary. Granny said she’s going to help out. She said together, would be about a month’s worth of work. It’ll be close, but we should have the island functional for the livestock before winter kicks in.”
“Oh.” Was all Sean could reply. His sister and mothers were speechless.
“Dad, if you are making my new grandfather’s new bow, may I make some arrows?” Rena quickly asked.
“That would be a big help, Kiddo. Make a good quiver too.” He smiled.
Rena beamed. “Come, Sean Brother, help me make some.” She took his hand and ran outside for the trees.
Brooke said “Love, Meeka and I are working on cloth for the upcoming trade. We’ll be in our room if you need us.”
He nodded and stepped into his study room, but left the door open. Cage went to the open window and altered a nearby branch to begin shaping an intricately shaped bow with a design both pleasing to the eye while assisting with the bow’s functionally and accuracy. Ten minutes is about what it took to create the bow. For the string, Cage wanted to show gratitude to the father of the
woman he loved and opened the chest still containing several full spools of the silk. He decided to pocket one for repairs, a second would be used to create the bowstring. Cage hooked the ends and drew when three hundred lines were woven, but the draw weight was too much, even for himself. He magically altered the bow’s wooden interior until the string came back. At two hundred approximate pounds, it was too heavy for Cillian’s request. He kept working the bow for forty minutes till it was roughly around the mayor’s needs.
“It is done.” Cage turned to see his teacher entering the room. “The crystals were gathered per your request and I’ve had my two thousand already taken and transferred to my bank vault. The cost for everything ended up as seven thousand two hundred and one gold pieces under your name and has been documented to belong to you as Cage, warlock, student of Megdline. You’ll find parchment that needs to be signed stating that the crystals are your responsibility and any unlawful actions will result in a befitting punishment. Let us fly to the pillars why I continue explanation.” Cage put the longbow in his pocket for safekeeping while following his teacher outside. In a few seconds they flew side by side casually so they didn’t need to scream over the wind. “This is just proper procedure, Cage. When you sign it I’ll Jump the document to Twilight’s proper department. Just know, you cannot legally sell any of them or give the crystal away without breaking the contract. If it happens, for each breach will result in a year of being jailed.”
“But how can they track it if it does happen? I’m going to strip all wards if they’ve been used…”
Megdline interrupted. “I made it clear that all crystals are to be un-tampered with, raw, to be natural. The crystal structure and appearance are well documented. Even if you reshaped it, the structure will be easily traced to either the person who created it or if it was natural. If a mage comes across a crystal, they bring it back to find the owner. You are either fined for negligence or if by purpose, jailed.”
“Hmm.” He grunted.
They flew near the pillars together and Megdline Jumped the six large packages wrapped in a brown cloth. The ghostly skull looked at the inanimate packages, but Cage gave the command and used a grip of magic to hold it all.
Back at the beach Cage landed and looked through the filled sacks of gold he’d count later along with four bags containing crystals. Attached to the bag holding the three largest uncut crystals was a rolled piece of paper. He read the simple document along with the disclosure agreement his teacher explained and used a piece of charcoal to sign his name. As he looked over his acquisitions Megdline Jumped the paper back. Cage randomly tested crystals and was satisfied when there wasn’t a single spell placed on any nor was there a hint of mana stored.
Satisfied, Cage left the beach and headed home to get started on the research.
“Sean, did you remember to pack your toothbrush?!” Meeka called from her bedroom.
A fainter, but clear voice returned “Yes, Meeka Mother!”
“So did I, Meeka Mother!” Came Rena’s voice in the adjacent room.
Meeka finished packing and looked at herself in the mirror her man created last week. She adjusted her new leather pants and shirt that had been a gift from a sister tribe member the other day as thanks for the herbal remedies. The brown leather was creatively highlighted in striking reds, black and white colorings and comfortably fit while enhancing her already impressive features. She didn’t know how or when it happened, but it felt odd wearing clothes again. She smiled at her reflection, remembering how Cage told her how it wasn’t unnatural to be naked. In fact, it was too easy to embrace. Meeka slid on her boots and held hers and Brooke’s packs. Peeking around the corner, Meeka saw her son heading downstairs with his pack before spotting Rena in her leather pants and top, trying to get the thigh sheathe to stay put. “Let me help.” Meeka entered the bedroom and knelt before her darling daughter. Rena held still as Meeka helped tie the ends together. “Love, you’re going to need a new one soon. You’re getting bigger.”
“But, Meeka Mother, Mother made this when I was five…” Rena pouted.
Meeka tapped Rena’s small nose. “I’m not saying get rid of it. You’re getting older as we all did. Keep it and give it to a daughter you’ll have one day. When we get back I’ll help you make a new one.” Her boar top wasn’t yet ready. The bottoms for pants were what she finished last night with Brooke.
Rena slid her wooden handle knife in the tied sheathe outside her pants and grabbed her new flint-tipped spear several inches taller than herself. “I hope to have a daughter one day, Meeka Mother.”
“Rena, you are the shining jewel of the tribe. You will have many mating challenges for you will grow into a beautiful woman.”
“Like you and Mother?” She asked with bright, warm brown eyes.
“No, you will be more beautiful than the both of us together.” Meeka promised.
Rena beamed at the words. “When is dad going to be back?”
The healer stood and helped the recent birthday girl gather the yew bows and trinkets Rena made with her brother’s aid. “He’s not. We are going to him. He’s down with the tribe finishing the last few issues and readying the boats for us to leave today. We’re going to need to walk to the beach.”
“Okay.”
Downstairs, the two spotted a mated quartet family. Meeka asked “Are you sure you do not want to come?”
One of the three women shook her head. “We are staying. Most of the tribe is going to trade. Chief Cage is very persuasive and has made it so our people, children included, will be going to trade. Some of us need to stay and watch over our home. You and the priestess were generous to allow us to live here while you are all gone. We will stay and keep the home safe. Anyway, my love is too pregnant to travel and we do not want her sick.” The woman rubbed her sister-mate’s well rounded belly with a smile of envy.
“Sisters, if she goes into labor, contact us. If there is danger do likewise.”
“We will, Meeka Sister. The priestess made sure we knew how to call the chief. If the baby comes, we will call.” The proud pregnant woman said.
Meeka smiled and stole a glance to her woman and son hoisting their goods. “We’ve got to leave now. I’ll make sure to bring some leather to you.”
The four bid farewell as Meeka, Brooke and their children stepped outside in the predawn lighting. Brooke too wore clothing, altered from Rena’s first design so it fit properly now, in almost identical make and patterns as Meeka, but instead of a sheathed knife, she wore a tomahawk to either hip. Meeka found it hard not to stare at the curvaceous woman she loved. It was the same whenever she spotted Cage’s male magnificence.
Fall arrived in full force as they looked over the island’s changes. It had almost become an entirely golden island as all the leaves readied for winter’s coming. It was a welcome sight so early in the morning as some leaves began to fall.
Outside and as they crossed the bridge there came an approaching golden light which ended up being Megdline flying in. The sorceress and Familiar landed. Frill meowed when he saw the four and Megdline said “He says good morning. We’re about to leave.”
“To where?” Sean asked, hearing enough in her tone to realize she wasn’t going to accompany them.
“I’m going home to spend some time with my husband. It’s been almost a month since we took care of those mages and Cage has little left to learn from me anymore. He has one final task he needs to do to before we are no longer teacher and student. It can wait a week while all of you are at the Fall Harvest. I likely won’t be around as often anymore. Frill and I are going to begin traveling the lands again. This past month I’ve been content, but I must go back to adventuring soon.
“It got boring really quick, making that island for the livestock. After Cage completes his graduation task I’m going to likely return to Vin’re’s Adventure’s Guild to scour the land.”
“But you will be coming back?” Rena asked slightly timidly.
“You cannot ge
t rid of me that easily.” The sorceress laughed. “I’ve made quite a few friends lately and I’ll miss the companionship. When I want the company, I know where I’ll be welcomed and find a good laugh… Now, off with you. Cage and the others will be ready to set sail by midmorning.”
“We will see you soon, Megdline.” Brooke said. “Take care… Come loves, we cannot make our people late.”
Megdline and Frill waved the four off before entering their home to lock it down so none could enter it while she was away before leaving in a flash of light.
Just before descending the stone stairs, Meeka looked ahead to the west where one could just see the edge of the newest island. Most of the land is brown dirt, but several large trees were magically uprooted and transplanted to the island along with many patches of grass which would quickly spread in the rich soil.
To the top of the mountain, when it could be seen through a break in the trees, Meeka faintly spotted the grown tree home of Hammit and his mates. They came by not four days after the attack, claiming they’d scouted the whole island. Cage had asked many questions and the four answered him with such precision that she’d rarely seen her man so impressed. As promised, he grew them a home and said he had figured out a way to safely protect them from lightning and dangerous winds. In two days they had a home of their own and stood as sentinels of the island. It was made out of a large pine, but the size was small compared to the chieftains home, but they found the simplicity to their liking.
Laugh of Destruction (Book 3 of the Death Incarnate Saga) Page 31