The funny thing was, I had already figured it out, but I thought it’d a good mental exercise for them to reach the conclusion on their own. Now, I wasn’t using my superior magical prowess or anything, just common sense and the feeling I received when I realized how to use it to our advantage.
The previous day we had raised the earth around the mouths of each intersecting river and prepared channels for diverting the water. What we were going to today was just change the direction of the channels and raising the earth so we could create and direct the flow of each river’s currents. By doing this the right way each different current should push another and vice a versa, creating a self-propelled whirlpool effect.
I had the idea after completing the forge, a memory came to me unbidden of Bernoulli’s Law and a message flashed, which I had quickly accessed.
BERNOULLI’S LAW
An increase in the speed of fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in pressure or a decrease in the fluid’s potential energy.
Then it was like a lightbulb going off. When I learned this in school, I had thought it only applied to airplanes and how they flew but that wasn’t the case at all. Now that I knew magic, I grasped the concept much more clearly. I could apply this principle to water and the flow of magic, marrying the two and creating something brand new.
Just then the two men clasped arms and nodded to themselves, each congratulating each other on whatever decision they had come to. Cunning Wolf nodded to Sage as if giving him the honor of speaking first. The Norse Ojibwe Shaman nodded back and turned to me.
“Cunning Wolf and I have figured out the best way to shift the water to…” Sage began, in that mildly annoying tone he used when he spoke, but I cut him off ecstatic to do that for once.
“You think we should force the water into a whirlpool motion to take advantage of the magical ley lines from the rivers then adjust the plans accordingly so that we have a concurrent magical flow like the one from the forge but with a much larger effect.” I answered, in a singsong voice that basically intoned, what took you so long?
“Ah, yes…” Sage replied, nonplussed and sharing a look with Cunning Wolf, who just shrugged as if nothing surprised him.
After a good chuckle at their expense we really got down to work. I alternated between using my Earth, Fire, and then Water Magic, helping Cunning Wolf and Shadow Bear out and then Sage. We did this for the main part of the day. Each of us taking breaks when our magic ran low. By the time the sun was sinking on the horizon the four of us were exhausted but proud. We had finished the basic walls, waterways, and raised earth works for the upgraded fort town.
The townsfolk hadn’t been idle. They began their days with the two Brothers O’ Conghaile and started SEAL training, then exhausted as they all were began dismantling the current unneeded structures in Thrudheim for use in the new fort plans. It was evening now and the whole population of the town, that hadn’t left with Arun, were either eating or sleeping. Those eating were well on their way to join those already in dreamland.
I didn’t blame them, I was just as exhausted, my stamina and magic power had been at almost exhaustion levels all day. And I wasn’t the only one, Cunning Wolf, Shadow Bear, and Sage were also barely awake. They had done it though, the first part of the construction was done, the hardest part. Now they needed to move on to the second phase on the following day, which the three of them could handle without my assistance. The heavy lifting for that project was done so to speak. But I also needed rest, I had a busy morning as well, I’d be making firearms and artillery.
I said my goodnights and headed back to my lodge. On the way Freak met me and we headed back together. The minute my head hit the furs I was already asleep, before Freak’s snores could even begin to bother me.
That is until the vivid dreams returned. Once again, the Norse Ojibwe home burned in the night, this time the whole city was aflame. I watched again as the monsters overran more of the town, killing and destroying as they advanced. Then they hit the main hall which was another fort on the tallest rise of the town. It was surrounded by a wall from my viewpoint that looked about twenty-five feet tall. There was a palisade around it and men and woman warriors on the battlements. I watched the horde of monster’s approach and then the defenders died. They tried to stop the overwhelming odds and held out valiantly, but in the end, they died just the same.
I watched a trio of giant Kuku smash holes in the wall then kill their way into the final bastion, more screams and death then I woke. Shouts sounded through the night as before. And again, my familiar raised his head and I waved him back to slumber.
My thoughts turned to Arun and I hoped he made it in time to help. I left my lodging and headed to get some food. Frigg was at the cooking fire again and she handed me a bowl of stew without saying a word. I nodded and ate as I continued my trek to the forge. I finished eating as I arrived with a pleasant surprise. All three of my apprentice Mage Builders were already there, with the forged stoked and tools ready.
“Hey guys, good morning.” I said, with a two-finger salute.
Various good mornings came back. I stopped next to the forge and looked around approvingly.
“Are you all familiar with your screens and such?” I asked, they nodded in the affirmative. “Okay, you should all be able to make Fiery Hatchets, Kukris, Sabers, Spears, bows, and Fire Steel Arrows now. Smoking Bluejay you shared how you made the Norse Ojibwe’s armor and shields, I made some tweaks and kicked them up a bit. I’ll pass those plans into the forge now.”
Thunder Foot, Lightning Fist, and Smoking Bluejay nodded eagerly, and I pulled up the information and double checked it.
NORSE OJIBWE THREE ELEMENTS BANDED HIDE MAIL
ARMOR TYPE – Hide Banded Mail Steel Enforced Armor
DURABILITY – 300/300
CLASS – Rare
UPGRADES – Earth Strength, Water Resistance, Fire Resistance
WEIGHT – 15lbs
This armor is done in the Japanese style, but with lighter weight metals in place of wood. Infused with Earth Magic for raised defense and durability, Fire Magic for internal warmth and some ability of Fire Resistance, and Water Magic for Water Resistance.
NORSE OJIBWE THREE ELEMENTS HEATER SHIELD
ARMOR TYPE – Iron Enforced Kite Shield
DURABILITY – 150/150
CLASS – Rare
UPGRADES – Earth Strength, Water Resistance, Fire Resistance
WEIGHT – 5lbs
A wooden and banded metal enforced, kite shaped shield. It is infused with the elements of Earth for strength, Fire for Fire Resistance, and Water for Water Resistance.
I sent the information and the window closed. The two brothers pulled it up and I saw their eyes glaze as they read. When they were done, I continued.
“Those are the things you three will focus on, we need enough for every member of the tribe and then for anyone who makes it from Asgard. Work out who does what amongst yourselves, but work together, I want all three of you advancing on every item. If one of you is better at something show the others, capiche?” I asked.
They looked quizzically at me, and I sighed.
“Do you understand?” I said.
They nodded in the positive this time.
“What are you working on?” Thunder Foot asked.
“Me? I’m going to make us some boom sticks.” I said, grinning widely.
TRACK 11 – GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN – CYNDI LAUPER
MOON FLOWER
It took three days to gather the all the Riders, old and new alike, and prepare to head off to fight the army of Nirumbee, Wendigo, Skinwalker, and Cheyenne. In that time, Walking Coyote along with Striding Squirrel had taken over the day to day operations of Crow’s Nest. He showed her what needed to be done and how to assign the builders from the Jicarilla tribe tasks based on importance. The builders had managed to restock all our Fire Steel arrows in that time, replace our spears, and outfit the new recruits with new armor and weapons. They
were also getting a crash course in becoming Riders of Earth and Sky.
All the horses had foaled and now we had double the number of Riders then before. Stone Fox was the leader of the second rank of Riders, and now titled the Third Rider. They had all been outfitted and their horses had grown to full size in just the one day. After horse and rider completed their bonding and were all armed and armored, we decided to head out and finish our training on the road.
During the night there were shouts and exclamations from some of the Riders, all the Elites to be exact. I woke and they all had gathered at my yurt. Each of them now able to use screens. After checking my own screens and seeing Law had acquired a new skill that gave elites the ability to level on their own, I quickly explained their usage and how to access help menus then went back to bed.
On the second day I was trying to decide who to ride, Winston or Fuzzy, when Chieftess Screaming Eagle arrived with a new batch of Jicarilla Builders.
“Chieftess!” I called, greeting my almost stepmother happily, I did really love the woman. Even if my father had died before they married, I considered her almost like a mother.
“It is good to see you daughter.” The Chieftess replied, hugging me and I returning the embrace. “You look good, things are going well then?”
“I wouldn’t say that.” I replied, then proceeded to fill her in on everything that had transpired before her arrival.
She listened intently and when I was done nodded quietly to herself in thought. A few moments later she looked at me.
“I will go with you. This is important and we must move swiftly.” She said.
“Chieftess…” I began.
“Mother.” She corrected.
“Yes, mother, I’m afraid you don’t have a mount to ride.” I said, carefully.
“Oh nonsense, that wonderful bear of yours will do nicely. You see, Hasteoltoi already told me in my dreams the other night that the bear was my new familiar and mount. Then when I awoke, I had these character screens and things. Now, I can use them and receive messages from the goddesses. Besides, I met him outside, he is quite lovely, and I can imagine the destruction he causes.” Shining Eagle said, with a mischievous grin.
A message showed in my periphery and I accessed it.
CHIEFTESS SHINING EAGLE REQUESTS TO JOIN THE RIDERS OF EARTH AND SKY? Y/N?
I selected yes and another message appeared.
CHIEFTESS SHINING EAGLE HAS JOINED THE RIDERS… FUZZY FAMILIAR OF HASTEOLTOI HAS BONDED WITH CHIEFTESS SHINING EAGLE… FIRST RIDER FAMILIAR LOST…
I closed the window and looked at the Chieftess, who was staring into space blankly. A moment later she nodded and then looked at me with a perplexed grin.
“Take the day and get comfortable with the interface, use the tutorials as Law calls them.” I said, giving the same speech I had in the night.
Then a loud roar sounded and Fuzzy came striding into the tent. He came up to me and I patted him on the head. He nuzzled me a moment then moved over to Shining Eagle. I headed out and left the two of them to do their thing, looking over the Riders screen as I did so.
THE RIDERS OF EARTH AND SKY (LEVEL – 3)
FIRST RIDER – Moon Flower (LVL 3)
SECOND RIDER – Dancing Lion (LVL 3)
THRID RIDER – Stone Fox (LVL 3)
ELITE RIDERS – Chieftess Shining Eagle (LVL 3), Ice Blossom (LVL 3), Night Star (LVL 3), Soaring Sparrow (LVL 2)
RIDERS – JICARILLA 15/15 (LVL 3), Crow (19/19) (LVL 1)
SKILLS – HORSEMANSHIP (LEVEL – 2), ARCHERY (LEVEL – 2), SPEAR WEILDING (LEVEL – 2), FAMILIAR (LEVEL – 2), SWORDSMANSHIP (LEVEL – 2), BUILDING (LEVEL – 2)
Gifted with knowledge by the goddesses Ateantsic and Shakaru, The Riders are innately bonded with their companion horses and have the skill to ride and care for them as if having done it from birth. The Riders are the first of the ancient horse warriors reborn from legend. The Rider and horse are now able to sense each other’s thoughts at a base level, the ability will grow with level and usage.
I closed the window as I headed to the resource gathering area and my mouth dropped open. Sitting in the cleared area was a quartet of falconets. My fiancé had left them in at the Fortress of Earth. I walked over to the cannon and looked them over, then I realized they were not the same ones that we took from the Conquistadores.
FALCONET OF THE EARTH
WEAPON TYPE – Light Cannon
DURABILITY – 100/100
CLASS – Above Average
UPGRADES – Earth Strength
WEIGHT – 150lbs
DIMENSIONS – 4” by 1” With Under Carriage
Copies of the spoils of war taken from the Spanish Conquistador who called himself the Sun God. This light cannon is infused with Earth Magic from the Jicarilla Builders who created them. This increases the durability of the weapon.
A growl from my side interrupted my reading and I closed the window. Looking next to me, I saw Fuzzy with a widely smiling Chieftess Shining Eagle on his back.
“Oh my, this is amazing! We are in love, aren’t we Fuzzy Bear!” She cooed, rubbing the bears neck and scratching him fondly.
“I’m glad the two of you are getting along so quickly.” I said and meant it, then I motioned to the falconets. “I see you brought us some, toys as Law would say.”
“Oh, my dear those aren’t the only ones. The Mage Builders learned how to copy the originals, something Law taught them before he left. I also brought some of those harquebuses and an extra team of builders to build a road behind us on our expedition. They should be here by tomorrow. We shall have supplies and superior firepower, shock and awe and food, the War Shaman calls it.” She said, from the back of Fuzzy who growled in agreement. “Or was it, Swords and Plowshares? I cannot remember your father was better at…”
She trailed off and I shared a knowing look with her. We had both grieved for my father and her betrothed loss but every now and then it still hurt. That just meant they were still with you in spirit. A moment later we shared a hand squeeze and she cleared her throat.
“Yes, well I’m heading to the local smith because we must get fuzzy armed and armored. Hasteoltoi has sent me the plans in my dreams and I’m to give them to the smiths here. I’ll see you later.” Shining Eagle said, and then she and the bear trundled off.
“The goddesses work in mysterious ways.” I mumbled to myself, but I couldn’t be angry, it was a boon to have the Chieftess here and the weapons, especially the weapons.
Not to mention I didn’t have to choose between the horse and bear. I continued onward and made it to the paddock area where all the Riders had gathered. Training was underway and the veteran riders were teaching the noobs, Law had taught her that term. Some were firing arrows at targets other were fighting with hatchets, blades, and spears. Riding techniques were also being taught, as groups of mounted warriors galloped back and forth playing a riding agility training game.
The game was simple, there were two teams each armed with lances. A small ringed ball was tossed in the center of the field between two goals, which were only a foot wide, and were placed on each end of the hundred-yard long and fifty-yard wide area. I pulled up the game information as I watched the two teams compete.
QUINTAIN SOCCER
A game created by using the old style of training, which a knight would try to hit a target called a quintain, while galloping towards it at full speed. The challenge was changed to teams, and the object turned into a small ring and ball also known as a Pavo. The two teams would then compete against each other to spear the target and toss it into their team’s goal, all while avoiding the other team. Whichever team scored seven goals first won.
I closed the window as the game heated up. There was a post with a counter on it, manned by a small girl, the current score read six to six. My sisters were the captains of the separate teams and their rivalry was as fierce as ever. Actually, all three of us sisters were extremely competitive. If I could challenge them both I wou
ld. My thoughts were interrupted as the game reached its climax.
Ice blossom had speared the Pavo and was galloping full speed across the field towards the goal. Night Star was hot on her heels the rest of the players were too far back to help. The two sisters raced along, pulling neck and neck, Ice Blossom trying to keep her sister from knocking her lance and the Pavo away. They sprinted the last dozen yards and Night Star tried one desperate swing of her lance, but Ice blossom launched the Pavo off her lance and it sailed through the small target.
Cheers and good-natured ribbing ensued, then my two sisters broke off and trotted over to me, dismounting and letting their familiars roam free to get some food and water. We greeted each other as they approached, and I motioned them to come with me, and we began walking.
“The game was well played, what’s the tally between you two now?” I asked.
“Five to four, in her favor.” Night Star growled.
“Oh, stop it, we are still both zero and counting versus you Moon Flower.” Ice Blossom said, changing the direction of her sister’s ire.
“That’s right! When are we playing again?” Night Star asked me.
“It will have to wait till we get back. We leave tomorrow. The Chieftess has arrived as well so we just need to figure out a few new details out and then we’ll go.” I explained.
“Chieftess Shining Eagle? That’s good, Dancing Lion was missing her family. Where are we going now?” Ice Blossom asked.
“That is some more good news. The Chieftess came bearing gifts.” I said.
“Presents… I love presents!” Night Star exclaimed all traces of her earlier pouty demeanor gone like a puff of smoke.
I Am Gamer III Page 8