K and K 37
Dapper was resting his head on her leg with his eyes wide open, ready and alert for any danger that threatened his best friend. Kate couldn't help it and found herself scratching his ears and whispering his name at him. She wondered what time it was. Determining how much time had passed was difficult. Kate thought she was pretty good at it, but that was when she was above ground.
Kate nudged Rick gently. "I saw a flash of light just now. Better make that three more. I think something's happening. We should probably move," she advised and got the okay from everyone else. She dropped the rope down, gathered up Dapper and did her best to slide down and not break anything or launch Dapper over the railing.
It took only moments for the others to come down the 7 feet of rope and get ready. Kevin was first with Javi right behind him as Kevin checked the door and opened it. Inside they found the same bedroom as last time. "How did they replace everything so fast?" Jenny whispered. True they hadn't taken the actual bed itself last time, however they had taken all of the sheets, the comforter, and pillows since they were all magical. "Leave it for now, we'll come back later," Rick whispered.
Kevin was at the door finding it locked but easy enough to open. "Hang on," Rick called out softly and walked around to each person which took some time since he couldn't see anyone. He pulled out a Wand and tapped everyone including the wolves. "Stone Skin. This should make it harder for anyone to hurt you if they hit you," he explained softly. It took his Wand of 50 charges down to 42.
Once out in the hall it wasn't hard to hear fighting taking place somewhere below them. Given how it wasn't that loud it must be far below them.
Since they were invisible, they managed to get spread out a little just as one of the doors opened. Out came a male and female Drow with their weapons drawn and they started jogging down the hall for the stairs they had found last time. Rick didn't move quickly enough and unfortunately the female brushed up against him. She stopped immediately while calling out to her partner. Worse, one of the other doors opened and out came another pair of Drow similarly armed with their weapons out. A shout from the first female had the other pair slashing their weapons searching for invisible opponents.
That was when a Water Elemental suddenly showed up behind the second pair just as Kate threw her Earth Elemental Gem on the floor and attacked the male Drow. This was followed by a Fire Elemental showing up on the opposite side of the first female Drow.
Rick ducked and worked his way past the male Drow and past the Earth Elemental to find Kate and Dapper who was growling loudly as was Storm. The Drow were fighting back against the Elementals just as another Fire Elemental showed up and trapped the second pair of Drow between two Elementals just like the first pair.
Javi started taking shots at the first female while Kevin whipped the second female when he had an opening. The fight lasted a little while but they never lost an Elemental and they had four dead Drow. "Open the doors and shove them inside the room," Rick called out.
It turned out the other rooms were empty so they headed for the stairs with their Elementals out in front. It was there they found four more Drow on the balcony casting spells down at the Cloud Giants, at least they were till the two Fire Elementals up front attacked them. They died only to have the Water and Earth Elementals take their places while Javi fired arrows at them when he had an opening.
The Elementals disappeared before the Drow died as their time had run out. One of the Drow was still standing, not that he lasted long between Kevin's whip, Javi's arrows, and Kate throwing Manticore barbs at him.
"That's eight and there are five rooms, so where are the other two?" Rick questioned, as they went back out into the hallway and down to a door they hadn't yet opened only to find the room empty. "Downstairs maybe?" Kate suggested.
Lanie cast Detect Magic and directed everyone to what she found magical. Soon they had eight sets of Drow armor and Drow weapons along with another five sets of magical bed linens giving them 10 full sets for the eight bedrooms that they had at home. They also gained some platinum pieces, gold pieces, and gems that weren't magical.
Looking out the window showed that the dock area still under attack. When they reached the balcony again the fight was still on down there also. "What are those?" Jenny did her best to point at one of the two non-Cloud Giants doing the fighting along side the Cloud Giants. Rick could only shake his head. "They look mechanical to me like they're robots or something," Kate mentioned as they watched.
One was winged and smaller than the other. It was leaping up into the air, occasionally soaring around the edge of the fighting taking swings at anyone it deemed an enemy. The other one was much bigger and clearly stronger as it pounded on the Derro and the really large wolf creatures.
Suddenly Jenny screamed in severe pain getting everyone to quickly turn towards her. What they saw was a large spider with the torso of a male Drow growing out of the body. It had its tail spike securely in the middle of Jenny's back. It was actually walking on the ceiling and was upside down to them. Kate twirled her staff and struck it in its engorged abdomen area. That was followed quickly by two arrows striking it just as Rick's spell hit it. Kevin cracked his whip at it over Kate's head striking it. They watched it fall to the floor and bleed out.
Right away Lanie was down on her knees checking on Jenny. "She's been poisoned and it's killing her!" she exclaimed as she watched Jenny start shriveling up. Kate handed Lanie a potion. "Here, see if you can get her to drink this," Kate told her and they watched as Lanie tried to get Jenny to drink as much of it as she could. "She's still damaged but not getting any worse," Lanie said gratefully. "Try and get her to drink this one." Kevin handed over a different potion. Before their eyes Jenny began getting better as her skin changed which had Lanie pulling out her wand and touching her with it. It healed the damage on her back nicely. "What happened?" Jenny murmured still feeling like shit.
Kevin got down on the floor beside her taking Lanie's place. He moved Jenny into his lap while he blinked back tears. "A spider thing stuck you in the back," he choked out. "It was a Drider actually. Part Drow and part spider. They allow themselves to be transformed into those...things." Rick explained in revulsion. "They actually have this done to themselves?" Kate was shocked and showed it. The creature was gross! Why anyone would willingly do that to themselves escaped her. "What little I read suggested that it was a tribute to their Goddess Lolth and you remember what she looked like," Rick reminded them. "Still disgusting," Kate spat and got a few heads to nod their agreement.
Kate put her hand over her eyes as she was suddenly blinded. Katherine looked around and found Kevin supporting Jenny's head in his lap and looking ready to cry. "What happened and where am I? And where's Dapper?" Katherine questioned.
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Kate actually found a fair amount of articles on the internet about how to use a wood fired cookstove. Apparently there were people who liked using them. Some because they had no choice because of where they lived, others because they actually liked them. There were even modern versions of them. It was here that she found one what she was dying to trade hers in for.
She read: The firebox is on the left, the water reservoir is on the right, a baking oven is between them and the warming oven is above.
Some cookstove owners find the ovens difficult to bake with, because many cookstove ovens do not heat evenly, and can produce "hot spots" that make pot or pan placement critical. But there are many tricks to using a cookstove, and Kaylegian knows her share. One strategy is to place a pan of water in the oven near the firebox, which absorbs some of the excess heat from that part of the oven. Also important is the type of wood that is burned; Kaylegian uses mostly oak, a slow, clean-burning wood, and stays away from quick-burning pine.
"So that's part of my problem," Kate murmured. She just read a revelation. The issue was that most of the trees anywhere near her area were all pine. Getting nothing but oak was going to prove to be a challenge. She continued reading.
Provided it is in good condition and used correctly, just about any cookstove will do a fine job of baking. "The only thing I don't have the nerve to bake in the oven is angel food cake."
Tettemer recommends adding at least three small sticks per load and placing them in a crisscross pattern so they flame brightly.
When open, the bypass damper allows the exhaust to pass directly from the firebox into the flue when starting and loading the stove. When closed, it forces the hot exhaust across the top of the oven, down the far side and then under the oven into the flue. Smoke-free operation and successful baking both depend on the correct use of the damper.
Books to read: American Wood Heat Cookery 1989, Woodstove Cookery at home on the range 1977.
"Maybe the others will be willing to pool some of their funds so we can get the right cook oven," Kate hoped.
She was on-line trying to find a seamstress who could teach her how to make bras and panties so she could do it from memory just as Alexis came home from school.
Kate had given what she was certain was a masterful performance when an older thin woman with still more red hair had let herself into the home. Surprised, Kate jumped up ready to pound the crap out of whomever it was. "I'm sorry Katherine, I didn't mean to startle you."
"I'm fine, honestly..." Alexis was right behind her. "Martha," Alexis whispered. "Martha. Do you plan to stay for dinner?" Kate was wondering how much time she had to question Alexis about her. "I believe I will dear. It'll give me a chance to look over this island of yours again." And Martha went upstairs to her room.
Kate gave up looking for a seamstress and quizzed Alexis about who Martha was and how she should behave. Alexis came up to her and dropped her bag on the sectional. "I got a call from our architect; she wants to know when we're going to go see the three boats she's found. I don't have any classes the day after tomorrow so we can fly there and spend the day and fly back after looking at them," Alexis informed her. "And bring my credit card with me." Kate really was a saver and not a spender or at least she used to be. That was one more thing that had been changing in her life. "Not necessarily. Dad had a lot of money so I can buy them myself. We just need to use your plane to get us there." Alexis was a coward about asking her. If she was Katherine they would just go.
"Where's my satellite phone?" Kate asked since she hadn't seen it yet. "I'll get it," Alexis told her and walked into their bedroom. That was one more thing they each had to get used to. To keep up the illusion for Martha, Kate was sleeping in the master bedroom with Alexis though they both did their best to stay on their side of the bed.
In a moment Kate had Simon getting ready to fly them to Heathrow tomorrow. Kate gave Simon the name of his hotel and the address and told him when they would be leaving. "I'll be ready ma'am, have a nice stay," he said. Then she ended the call.
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"I don't trust myself to drive on the wrong side of the road," Alexis stated as they headed for the car rental area. "Not to worry. I've done it a few times, we'll be fine," Kate assured her and rented a car so they could get around to see these three boats.
The first one did indeed have a way to launch and recover a dingy and it looked like it could be used to launch a scooter with a little modification. Alexis used her card to purchase it and with a quick phone call to their architect, they had an arrangement to have it moved soon to their island.
The next one was really big and definitely old school. "Not really to my taste." Alexis was more a modern girl. "Actually I like it and given how Katherine has been living in her world I think she will too," Kate insisted. They learned everything about it including its cruising distance which was actually pretty good. "Copper water tanks?" Alexis questioned and was reminded that the boat had been refurbished so that it looked and acted like it did when it was launched. "There's no lead however. No lead in the pipes or the paint," the seller confirmed.
Alexis handed over her credit card again and made another phone call to the architect to have this boat moved also. The next day they were going to look at a boat that might work for their mobile veterinarian hospital. "This one sounds old too," Alexis moaned a little to Kate while they ate dinner in a local pub. "Then the last one will just have to be modern and all yours," Kate told her. "We'll do some research when we get to the hotel," Kate offered.
Unlike the other trips they had a two bedroom hotel suite that really wasn't as nice as any of the others. Alexis didn't want any distractions or to be challenged to keep her hands to herself. Kate and Katherine looked exactly alike, naturally. However Kate was just a little different and Alexis realized that if she had met Kate instead of Katherine, she wouldn't be in love.
The next day's boat showed that it needed a lot of work. She was 80 feet long, a twin screw motor schooner, built and designed to Loyds 100A1, by Chanters Dubigeon, Chantey, Nantes, France in 1925. She had a crew cabin for 4 and a captain's cabin, as well as galley, dining and living areas. She came with twin Gardner 6LXB six cylinder diesel engines that needed pipes installed.
She was the perfect size and with a little work would fit having a reception area, 2 exam rooms and a back room that would have a wall of kennels, an x-ray machine, storage, and 2 operating tables. "We'll take it," Alexis announced and handed over her credit card once more, not believing her luck with these prices. She was sure they would have to spend twice this amount. She had to buy them before someone else found them and offered more for them, not knowing her dad's father, Jackson Hunt, had already bought all three for her and was selling them to her for half price.
It took a little money under the table for the sellers to play along with his scheme, or else.
They hadn't found anything last night after going to their hotel. Right now they were in yet another pub eating lunch while Kate did another search using her laptop. "Big enough to transport and launch a scooter," Kate mumbled to herself. Alexis smiled watching Kate help her.
"You like Dad," Alexis said out of the blue. She wanted some information about the other Richard Castle. That got Kate's head out of her laptop. "What? Oh, Rick? Yes, I love him with all my heart. Living in that world has allowed me to see and live a life that I don't have here. Call it a second chance if you wish. What would my life be like with different choices. I'm still not sure how he got into my closed off heart," Kate chuckled at the change in her. "He's knowledgeable and focused. Did you know he can remember every book he's ever read, word for word?" Kate was still amazed at that.
"Dad's birthday is coming up; it's April 1st," Alexis informed her. "Except you'll still be here," Alexis cringed then apologized for that. "Maybe you can celebrate after the fact?" Alexis suggested. "Find him a book that he hasn't read? That might be a challenge since I don't know what he has read." Kate had her work cut out for her and she knew it.
"Do you have a plan before Kat uses the next coin?" Alexis was curious about that too, and watched Kate shake her head. "Dad was a really good father, the best actually. All he did was want to make me happy. ... You're 24 in that world, you could give him at least one child if you want. Provided you want children," Alexis quickly backed off.
"We haven't even talked about getting married though we are sharing a room. We have a house in a small town on top of a mountain. Four floors with a roof deck and 3 levels of basement. We have protection from enemies, these things that clean the place and I even have one that works downstairs in the walk-in cooler/freezer."
"I've gotten used to riding a horse instead of driving a car. Even being here now feels weird somehow. I mean I grew up here and yet I feel out of place. However I do miss electricity. God what I wouldn't give for a washer and dryer. Hell even a dishwasher." Kate was whining and she knew it, but there were just some things that got to her. She lowered her voice and spoke in a whisper, "They don't even have tampons and their idea of a pad is anything but." Alexis was shocked. She was going to have to talk with Katherine when she got back. "We can look those up too. You want to learn how to make bras and panties, why not learn what it takes to make those items too?" Alexis suggested and watched a light bulb go on over Kate's head.
The flight home was simple enough and took almost no time at all or so it seemed. "You're back!" Martha was happy to see them and hugged both of them, noticing that she didn't get the hug she was expecting from Katherine, but she chose to remain silent about it. "How was your boat shopping?" Martha inquired.
"It was great! We got three of the four we need and you wouldn't believe the prices of them. We got a steal Grams, a real steal!" Alexis was elated. They were one step closer. "She's correct, I didn't expect prices that low. They're obviously worth more. I'm going to go do some research, call me when dinner's ready or if you want to eat out." Kate unpacked her laptop and retreated to Alexis's study.
"ALEXIS! How about this one?" Kate thought she had something and Alexis had to turn everything down on the stove before hurrying to the study. "It's a 2005 Director Commuter Yacht. It's 57 feet long and has twin MAN engines at 1300 HP. The cockpit is enclosed in case it's raining and has a complete Raymarine electronics package. 8 Kw generator, a bow thruster to help you get into tight spots. 70 gallons of fresh water, 670 gallons of fuel, 30 gallon holding tank."
"I don't see a hoist to help you move a scooter but it looks like it has room to add one. Just remove this bench seat here and store your scooter at the end of the enclosed cockpit. It has a mini kitchen and a head. It even has a bed far forward." Kate liked it.
"You want to transport a scooter so you're going to need a bigger boat than just a little putt putt," Kate pointed out. Alexis watched as the pictures came up. "$1.2 million!? Seriously? And it's in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. We would have to ship it some how." Alexis shook her head rejecting it and went back to the kitchen.
Kate didn't see the problem, she had $450 million plus. Still she went back to searching again.
Kate was dying here as she kept searching. Even a modern 62 footer barely had any back deck to store a scooter on, let alone get it on and off. The new stuff was all about showing off what they could present INSIDE. State rooms, with full kitchens, beautiful bedrooms with full bath rooms and packed with power. All of it inside. "DINNER!" Alexis announced. So she shut down her laptop and went to give Alexis the bad news.
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"Katherine?" Rick guessed based on her reaction and watched her nod. "Your timing sucks a little bit this time," he commented just as another Drider suddenly showed up out of nowhere trying to hit Javi with both of its swords.
Everyone but Jenny and Kevin moved swiftly. Javi got in a single hit as did Lanie. Rick had yet to cast that many spells; he even had a new one so he used it. Lightening Bolt It looked just like it sounded. A wicked-looking, crackling bolt of lightning that looked like it would never hit the Drider that had caught them off guard, but yet it did. The damage had the Drider losing traction and falling all the way down to the ground floor.
"Get ready in case there are more," Rick warned them. Katherine cruised the area since she didn't have her armor on or even have her sword. Thankfully she did have some skill with the quarterstaff she had in hand. Now just where the hell was Dapper?