Bob looked over them all, his eyes holding every single one of their eyes.
If it was not for him, then none of them would be alive. Humanity would just be the rogue groups that had fled far away to not attract attention from the Jukal Empire, barely eking out a life in the darkness of space.
He had guided them to events and groups that could change the future of all Emerilians, both those who were POEs and those who believed they were Players.
Deia felt pride and hope well up in her chest. The opportunities that lay before them were tantalizing.
Bob looked at his interface. “All right, got to go. My five minutes are up. I’ll see you all later.” Bob smiled and disappeared from Dave and Deia’s porch.
***
Dave hugged Deia before the teleport pad.
“So, what would you think about expanding our house?” Dave asked.
“Last-minute question much?” She laughed. “Uh, I wouldn’t be against it, but I want to see the plans first. We’re going to need more rooms for all of the friends we have staying over. Also running water instead of you conjuring a shower every time. We’re keeping the porch and it needs to be warm in the winter.”
“Okay, I can work with that. I’ll talk with Malsour and I’ll see what we can come up with.”
“Okay. Make sure you don’t overwork yourself or else I’ll come back here and kick your butt myself,” Deia promised, poking his large chest.
“Very well, my dear!” Dave grinned and kissed her.
She turned and pulled her cloak tight. It was getting cold in the north. Winter was on its way and letting everyone know it.
The teleport pad flared to life, showing mages milling around and the enchanted and magical buildings of the mage’s college perched atop the floating islands of Per’ush.
Dave waved to Mal and Fire, who waited on the other side, the latter hidden in her disguise as a librarian.
Deia passed through the teleport’s event horizon. She appeared on the other side. The teleport pad closed as another event horizon opened. Materials and smiths walked through, heading into Unity. Malsour and Anna waved their good-bye, headed through the teleport pad and out onto the other side.
As they walked through, Kol walked out to the waiting Dave.
“Ugh, terrible trade!” Dave shook his head, smiling, as he greeted Kol.
“What was that?” Kol asked.
“Just said bye to Deia and now I have to look at your ugly mug.”
The two of them looked around for a cart that would take them up to Cliff-Hill’s smithies.
“Sorry I’m not more gentle on the eyes,” Kol growled.
Dave laughed and clapped Kol on the back. “How is the smithy in Devil’s Crater; you been talking to Frenik about materials?”
“Yeah, though we’ve got a meeting with him tomorrow to go over the fine details. Suzy said she’ll be free. I know that you want to fix her staff,” Kol said.
The two of them jumped on a cart. The team master made noises at the horses, which pulled them up Cliff-Hill’s main road.
“Well, most of the staff is still intact. Just a matter of fixing up the runes, maybe modifying it a bit. For my Dwarven Master Smith class, I’ve got to build a couple more weapons to get the next level. I was thinking of making weapons for the Demon Princes and Alkao. They’re the DCA’s best fighters and giving them Weapons of Power will show off our smithing abilities and make those who follow them interested in getting weapons from us,” Dave said.
Kol pulled out an amulet and turned it, so that the enchantments lined up and the sound around them seemed to fall away.
“We have a meeting to attend with the council tonight. They wish to discuss an alliance with Devil’s Crater. They’re in one hell of a spot with nice dungeons within their walls as well as mine shafts and other things. They also want to pick your brain about the Aleph. Be ready for a long meeting,” Kol warned.
“Well, we’re burning sunlight then! We’re going to have to work two times as hard to get those weapons ready!” Dave smiled, excited by the challenge. It had been too long since he had smithed and he was eager to get back at it.
“You know most people take weeks to make Weapons of Power?” Kol said, a proud smile on his face.
“Ah, well, just have to start some friendly competition.” Dave winked.
“Damn cheat of a Smithing Art!” Kol laughed and turned the amulet, so the enchantment was broken and they could once again hear the hustle and bustle of Cliff-Hill.
“Things sure have changed.” Dave looked around the growing town.
It was on the cusp of being a city. The teleport pad was the only one in Northern Opheir. Being so close to Ashal, trade was now staying in the north instead of venturing south. Trade was booming in Cliff-Hill and it showed in the rapid growth of houses and the main market square that Dave could hear from the smithies and factories.
“It’s the look of progress; not everything can stay the same forever,” Kol said ruefully.
“Too true.” Dave sighed.
“Did you know that we’re now exporting to the Egas Nation and Orun Free States? Farmers are claiming land all over the place, driving the adventurer’s guild to build a place here to run all of the contracts for labor, clearing fields and hunting down animals. With the high-leveled creatures around here, we’re getting quite a few adventurers from Ashal visiting for fun. It was a good idea keeping the taxes low. That teleport pad is operating nearly all hours of the day. Had to hire on our own guards now that Cliff-Hill is growing up,” Kol said.
“I heard that a number of people from Ashal are thinking of using Cliff-Hill as a base of operations for their supplies or second homes?” Dave looked to Kol.
“If they’ve got the coin, they’re doing it. Cliff-Hill might be in the middle of a rush of purchases and building, though it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. We are one of the most peaceful areas within cheap teleport pad range of Ashal. The Elves don’t trust many who aren’t their blood. Gudalo has large taxes on their teleport pads. Between us and the teleport pad at Verlun, I say that we’re moving two-thirds of the POEs who go between Ashal and other countries.”
“You said that we have hired our own forces. I gather that the Mithsia Warclans have returned to their territory?” Dave asked.
“Yes. The mayor has agreements with them, as do a number of businesses. We’re technically a free state, paying taxes to them just within their territories. Nadorf and the Kingdom of Opheir might have something to say about that later when the teleport pad gets really established. If we were to call for aid, there is a full barracks stationed at the wall that separates Kufo’tel and Mithsia from the rest of Opheir. There is one Warclan to patrol the wall and do customs. Another to back them up if they need it or come to our aid if we need it. There are more Warclans that look after the patrolling of the large separating wall and hunt down beasts that could be an issue, and raid dungeons and other locations within the wall.” Again Kol used the amulet. “I’ve been checking into the reports from the Warclan leaders. They say that their clans are stronger than they’ve been in decades. After four months, the clans rotate out to different mountains, keeping them fresh and learning more about Emerilia. It’s costly, but with Bob putting in the odd appearance and the military types agreeing, the Council of Anvil and Fire are willing to spend the soul gems and Mana on it.”
Kol turned off the amulet again.
“Also, Zel will probably track you down. After he learned about the new smithy in Devil’s Crater, he wants to put up another factory in Wer’Koum in the Meldari Kingdom. He says that there is a ton of clay there. He can have massive pits there to gather the materials and work it, shipping it through Gorlei Mountains and down to Sia’kri. They’re both massive consumers of the ceramics for cooling during the day and heating at night.”
Dave smiled, looking at all that was Cliff-Hill, knowing that it would change and rapidly. It was energizing to be around people driven to succeed, bo
uncing off one another to push forward.
“First, we build some weapons, then we’ll deal with the rest of this nonsense,” Dave said.
“I can barely remember a time when all I had to worry about was making swords. I miss those days.” Kol sighed.
Chapter 28: No Going Back
Deia hugged her mother and father, a big smile on her face.
“Not so hard,” Mal warned.
“Why?” Deia looked between Mal and Fire.
Fire blushed as Mal wrapped his arm around her shoulders, a proud smile on his face.
“Well, you don’t want to hurt your sibling,” Mal said.
Deia’s eyes went wide as she looked from Mal and Fire to Fire’s belly.
Fire smiled and leaned into Mal.
“I’m going to be a big sister?” she said in a rushed whisper.
“It looks that way.” Fire beamed. “I thought it was hard for you Elves to knock someone up, but this one here is an anomaly.”
“Okay, I might be a few hundred years old, but still don’t want to hear about my dad’s prowess in bed!” Deia grimaced.
“What, aren’t you and Dave looking to have a kid?” Mal asked.
“Ugh, so not the conversation I was thinking of having.” Deia held her face in embarrassment.
“Come on, tell your mother.” Fire grabbed Deia’s hand.
“Can we go somewhere that’s not out in public?” Deia asked.
“We do have that meeting to go to,” Mal reminded Fire.
“Okay, we walk and talk and you tell me about all you and Dave have been up to. I can only see so much and most of the time, it’s you and the two who are supposed to watching over you getting into trouble,” Fire chastised as the teleport pad connected to a different island.
Mal got the two women in his life moving, pushing them through the teleport pad as they talked.
“Well, we’re engaged to be married, but we’ve been using contraceptive magic so that nothing can happen. With all that’s going on, we don’t think now is the time to start raising a family. Plus, we don’t know what would happen to the baby if I was to die in battle and respawn. I might have to just stay out of the fighting altogether if I was pregnant,” Deia said as they stepped onto a different floating island.
Fire put her arm in Mal’s as they walked. “Sensible, but what about the wedding?”
“Elves’ engagements can take a decade before being confirmed,” Mal said.
“Ugh, you bunch of pragmatists!” Fire complained.
“Well, we live for a long time. We want to be sure that the person we marry is the one we want to stay with forever. Elves mate for life.” Mal gave Fire a deep look.
“So, are you two going to finally tie the knot?” Deia asked.
“Uh, well, we don’t think that now is the best time.” Fire grimaced.
“She’s scared that the rest of the Pantheon’s going to find out and then try to use me and you against her,” Mal said.
“Oh, they can try.” Deia smiled. Her eyes crackled with power as they seemed to be living flame for a few moments.
“See, I told you she has your temperament,” Mal said with a pleased smile, looking between the two of them.
“Well, I hope she has your ability to study without sneaking off into the studying cubicles,” Fire shot back.
“That sounds like a good idea.” Mal looked to Fire.
Fire smiled, biting her lip.
*Cough*, “still here…” *Cough* Deia coughed. Fire and Mal didn’t look repentant at all as they looked away.
I’m never going to see a library the same way. Deia shook her head.
“It’s clear that you’re going to be fighting against people and groups that are larger and more powerful than you. To that end, it’s about time you learned some spells that can fully utilize your power,” Mal said.
“I just finished fighting off the Dark Lord’s Demon Horde,” Deia complained, looking to Fire.
“Don’t look to me. Who do you think’s going to be your teacher?” Fire smirked.
“I’m going to be learning Fire spells from you?” Deia said, excited.
“Yes, but we’re going to have to go somewhere else for that. You both have a few people to meet,” Fire said.
Mal gave her a thoughtful look, but wasn’t able to ask her anything as they reached a massive compound with a metal tower reaching up into the heavens.
Fire led them through security and wards to a magical elevator that brought them to one of the highest points in the tower. Scribes and mages of the highest ranks wandered the halls. They reached an office, where a secretary was waiting. Four golems stood in the corners of the room.
“The arch—ah, Mal!” The secretary broke out into a smile as she looked up.
“He’s buried in paperwork, but I know he’ll make a minute or two for you. Just make sure that Alamos doesn’t find out.” The secretary activated an enchantment that released the security wards on the door.
Mal smiled, nodding to her, and held the door open for Deia and Fire.
“Oh, um, hello. What are you—Mal! What’s going on? Who are these fine ladies?” Jelanos put down his pen and adjusted the glasses he wore.
“Hmm, seems your wards are still decent enough.” Fire changed out of her glamour as a librarian and into an outfit of red leather.
“Lady of Fire!” Jelanos’s smile became even wider as he walked around the table and hugged Fire.
“Hey, not so hard.” Mal fell into the role of protective father.
“I think the baby will be all right.” Deia hit her dad.
“What?” Jelanos pushed himself away and looked at Fire and then Mal. He adjusted his glasses and looked at Fire. “Ignil?” His eyebrows rose.
“About time you figured it out!” Fire broke out into a wide smile.
Jelanos’s jaw dropped as he looked from Mal to Fire and then over to Deia and then back again. The similarities between all three of them were easy to see.
“Close your mouth, else you’ll attract flies,” Fire chided.
“Remember when we were in Tawre…looked the exact same.” Mal laughed.
“Well, uh, what?” Jelanos said, at a loss for words.
“Ignil was one of my pseudonyms when I was a little younger and bored, desiring to travel the world. It’s where I met you, Alamos, and Mal. There was a little bit more to why I disappeared than Mal and I had a fight.” Fire looked to Deia, a mix of emotions on her face, finally settling into pride and happiness.
“You’re a demi-god of Fire.” Jelanos shifted his gaze to Deia and looked her over.
“I just found out a few weeks ago,” Deia confirmed.
“I think that some explanations are in order, and I don’t know about you all, but I’d like to sit down instead of standing around,” Fire said.
They talked and chatted well through the day. Mal and Fire secured Deia access to everything that she could want, as well as for her party.
“I have to say that as a fellow adventurer from the mage’s guild, some of the things that I have been hearing about the Stone Raiders just seems impossible.” Jelanos looked to Deia.
“If we could tell you half of the things that we’ve seen and done, you’d think I was insane.” Deia held up a hand, stopping Jelanos from asking more. “I and my guild have agreed to not share what we know until the parties we were working for agree to it. That said, I know that there are some people who would be interested in learning from your institute.”
“Well, I do like a mystery.” Jelanos smiled and rubbed his hands together.
“You only like a mystery if you get a chance to pull it apart and find the truth behind it,” Mal argued.
“Same thing, right?” Jelanos laughed.
“Well, Deia and I need to be somewhere. I’ll leave the two of you to talk,” Fire said.
“Don’t overexert yourself.” Mal rose.
“Oh, shut up, youngster. I can look after myself.” Fire swat him lightly.
“And many more to come.” Fire gave him a kiss.
Deia found the ceiling very interesting at this point as Jelanos let out a laugh.
“Deia.” Fire held out her hand. Deia took it as Mal stepped back from Fire and Deia.
A spell formed around them. The room disappeared and Deia found herself in a cave that had been turned into a home. Mage lights kept it bright. There was an edge to the cave, with red light seeping in from below.
Deia looked out over the lip of the cave.
“We’re inside of a volcano?” Deia looked at the heat rising from the volcano floor below. The heat might have killed others, but to a demi-god of Fire, it was rather nice.
“Welcome to the Densaou Ring of Fire, and my home,” Fire said. There was a beating of wings as a massive face as big as a bus appeared.
“This one must be yours; she has that same stubborn streak as you, Mother.” The Dragon had an amused look on its face as it grabbed onto the side of the volcano and looked at Deia and Fire.
“Don’t try and scare her, Denur,” Fire tutted, unable to hide her smile. “Deia, this is your older sister Denur.”
“You’ve raised some fine children in Induca and Malsour. I am pleased to call them friends,” Deia said.
“I am glad, sister. I do not think that they even realized how much they would become entrapped in the world at large. They quite enjoy their guild and being in a party with your rather colorful friends.” Denur smiled.
“She wants to grill you about Suzy.” Fire took a seat.
“Now she’s going to be all guarded, Mom; ask when there’s no suspicion!” Denur pouted, before sniffing and leaning her head forward. “Mom, there’s something different about you.”
“You didn’t tell her?” Deia looked between her new sister and mother.
“Well, I have been rather busy and well, I haven’t been home in a while,” Fire started.
This is Our Land (Emerilia Book 5) Page 26