The next few days passed quickly as we all checked on our own supplies. I asked Canach if he had heard back from Anise yet but he shook his head no. "Well, I guess we get to spend a bit more time together then." I joked as he just shook his head. I walked out of the room to take another walk around the city. As I left the entrance I looked around to see a group of people heading my direction from the far end of the bridge. I looked closer as they group began to wave that consisted of two charr, two humans and a norn.
I gave a soft smile and waved back as we all walked towards each other meeting near one of the arches looking over the water again. Rytlock smiled and spoke first. "It's good to see you again, Commander."
I gave a soft chuckle. "Again, an ironic thing to hear coming from a blindfolded charr."
Everyone gave a soft laugh as Rytlock hit my shoulder and laughed, then he hit my shoulder again. "The second one was for the first time you made that joke."
I nodded as I lead them all into the room. Braham still looked a little down while Kasmeer and Marjory seemed to be back to normal. I asked the front desk to bring more chairs to the room and they happily obliged. They even brought us a nice meal to all enjoy. I looked at everyone.
"So I read all the letters you guys sent. Braham was it really that bad?" I asked leaning forward in my chair.
Braham nodded softly. "Yes. It was a very odd thing to see. Even Knut Whitebear came up after the story and offered a round on him. That is something I never thought I would hear him offer. My mother had done so much for Tyria I think I even had one person called me a liar. After that we stayed in my mother's house for a the next couple of nights. We didn't see Garm."
Braham looked down at his drink as Rox spoke. "I stood in the back of the great lodge while all of this was going on. I knew that the norn went on their own but it was odd seeing so many sad for one of their own passing. Usually they are cheerful and such but not this time. I think even Frostbite is worried about Garm as well."
Rytlock faced me. "It was definitely odd. I could feel just how tense and sad that whole room was while Braham talked. The costs of war I guess."
I agreed as I looked to Kasmeer and Marjory. "How about your endeavors?" I asked as Jory sat forward a little bit.
"My family sends their thanks to your quick actions at Fort Salma first of all. They heard of the other losses but realized it could have been much worse if you weren't there. They also wanted to thank you for taking down Mordremoth so Balinda can rest in peace. They were a little taken aback when they saw me and Kasmeer holding hands but never said anything more." Marjory said in a low voice. I could tell her sister still weighed heavily on her. I gave a soft smile as Kasmeer continued.
"It was nice seeing them smile that's for sure. But there is something I wanted to tell you about Commander. While we were gone we decided to head to Divinity's Reach for a bit to check on the Dead End. When we were leaving the city I seemed to have tripped on something hard. I still have the bruise to prove it. But the thing is, whatever it was, it was invisible. I tried to break the enchantment but nothing happened." Kasmeer said looking from Marjory to me.
I sat there a little astonished. "You, the one who revealed the Tower of Nightmares in Kessex Hills couldn't even do it?"
Kasmeer shook her head and continued. "We thought it was odd so we hung around a little longer and came back to the same spot and it was gone. So either I am imagining things or there is a very powerful mesmer in Divinity's Reach." I nodded and thought for a second.
"Do you think if we went there and asked Queen Jennah to help us find them we could recruit them to our team?" I asked as Kasmeer took a drink.
Marjory looked to me. "I don't see where it would hurt to ask. The only thing that can happen is the person says no. Jennah would not pressure anyone into fighting a war they don't want to."
Rytlock agreed. "With that kind of power along with Kasmeer we could even get a legion of foot soldiers under a dragon without them knowing." He gave a soft chuckle as I stood up.
I looked around to everyone. "Alright. I'll head to the Gate Hub and book us passage to Divinity's Reach. Logan, Taimi, and Zojja should be here soon and we can all head to the city."
Rytlock chuckled as he stood up. "Good I'm sure Logan is a little home sick right now. I think I'll take a walk around the city. We haven't been here much since it was rebuilt and I'm curious what all has changed. Plus my time in the Mists has made me wanting of a couple of things." Everyone moved from the table as Kasmeer and Marjory read the letters from both Braham and Logan as I walked out the room. The day went by quick before we all sat down to dinner then quickly went to bed. The room was still as quiet as ever even with so many people in it.
The next day came as we all had breakfast and gathered our things. We made our way around the city making sure to watch the airship factory to watch for when one would dock. We found out that the things Rytlock was wanting was different foods. We stood around a vendor as we all got something to eat as it was close to noon for the day. Braham looked to the factory and then pointed out a ship coming into dock on one of the wings. We all made our way over to the entrance of the facility as Logan, Zojja, and a large golem were waiting outside. The golem slowly opened as Taimi could be seen inside. "Braham! Come look come look." She waved him over as he was taken aback. The golem towered over him as he approached it.
Logan and Zojja both smiled as they were looking much better compared to when we all left the camp. Logan looked to Rytlock. "There's my favorite furball. I just remembered I still owe you a drink from that time in the Citadel of Flames." They walked up to each other as they shook hands.
Rytlock chuckled as a smile appeared. "Surprised you remembered that. Sadly drinks will have to wait for next time."
Logan looked confused as I started. "While Kas and Jory were out doing their thing they stopped by Divinity's Reach. Kas tripped over something invisible that even she couldn't reveal so we think there is a powerful mesmer in the city. We are going to head to Divinity's Reach to see if Queen Jennah could help us find them."
Logan gave a soft laugh while looking at Zojja. "Well I guess you were right. Glad we rested while on the airship then."
I nodded as I looked to the new golem that Taimi had. It looked like a mix between Scruffy and one of the security golems from Rata Novus. She kept going on about all the new features she used while Braham just nodded along. "Taimi, we are moving out alright? Are you certain that thing will get through an asura gate?"
She looked at me. "Commander, of course I thought of that. Scruffy, minimize!" As she said that the golem reiterated it orders and slowly started to fold over itself shrinking down to the size of almost the old scruffy though a bit bulkier. "There, still the same weight but able to move around."
I smiled. "As long as it gets through the gate, we are good. Well let's head to Divinity's Reach everyone." We all started to walk as I held Zojja back a little bit. The rest walked in front of us talking about how their trips went as I looked to Zojja. "Did you hold up your end of the bargain?" I asked.
She didn't look at me with a soft smile grew on her face. "You wound me, Commander. Of course I did. Any info sent back to Rata Sum has her name all over it, even if I did find it before she did. She's a good kid and maybe with this she will get her name know by all Asura like, Gadd, Snaff, and Vekk."
I gave a soft chuckle. "Keep on doing what you do and so will you. You did design the cannon that took down Zhaitan after all."
Zojja gave a soft laugh. "That I did Commander, that I did."
"So I do have a question though. While running through Verdant Brink before we found you both we found the remains of Mr. Sparkles. Do you have plans on remaking him?" I asked Zojja.
She looked down. "Yes, I already sent word to a trusted team to pick him up. I told them to take him back to my lab In Rata Sum and start the repair process. I will be upgrading him with some of the things the Progeny found but until I can get back I won't know the state of him." Zojja looked to the new Scruffy as Tiami kept talking from inside. Braham walked beside her with the occasional "Uh huh" from him as he tried to follow along. Zojja said quietly. "There are a lot of things I can learn from that one."
I looked down at Zojja. "What did you just say?" I asked with a slight chuckle.
A soft blush hit her face. "Nothing and if you bring it up Mr. Sparkles first combat test will be on you!" She said flustered. I let out a laugh as we quickly made our way to the asura gates.
