Rise of The Runelords - David Drake's Saga

by Raulfur

This is the Rise of the Runelords series as told by of David Drake, an American pagan who got tricked into the adventure. This series shows how he comes to understand the world and his journeys through it. The first three posts detail his companions, Faunra: a time displaced elven Magus, Dame Rebekah: a child of crusaders, and Jonathan: a skinwalker monk/kineticist. Still ongoing.

18. Day 14 or Let's all go to the Theater

Day 14: Celebrate! Toilday the 2nd Lamashan, 4707

I have to say, I had expected her to be gone when I woke up, and she was. I nodded and hoped that we could continue our business partnership without problems. If it would be a problem, I would leave her all of the notes and requirements for the process, and everything that I could think of to ensure that everything goes swimmingly with future builds. I made my way out of the large two-person bedroll and pulled myself to the hallway with the rope. There was a noted there that said that they had let us rest, and that I should head up when I am ready.

I had hoped this didn't get any worse than it was. My brain was filled with thoughts of all of the different ways that I could make enough money to make my way to Magnimar, and start over there if need be. I did still have a horse and tack, so it might be a quicker journey. I had given this town a lot of tricks and ideas from my time. I'd have to reach deeper to get anything new to proffer to a new town. I slowly made my way to the ESR, to change out into my workday clothes. I noticed that Savah's outfit from the night before was there, hanging off of a peg. My immediate thoughts went to hoping that I had not hurt her so much with everything that I had said, that she decided that she needed to ditch everything that might have reminded her of me. That would make things extremely awkward to work with her, and I didn't want to break my word with her. Even her armor and gear was here. There was a knock at the door, and I had expected it to be Jonathan or Dame Rebekah, or even Faunra, coming to tell me how things went down when Savah left.

I was surprised when I opened the door that it was Savah, in what I could only describe as a cotton onesie. She smiled and rushed into the ESR, leaping on me, wrapping her legs around my stomach. I reflexively grabbed under her posterior to support her. She said, look, look at it. Rynshinn got it done. It's the base layer for the armor, tailored to me. It'll be underneath the armor that we make today. She kissed me furiously on the cheeks and forehead before stopping and whispering that my hand was dangerous close to an area that might make her think that I wanted more. I panicked and froze, trying to figure out a way to get my hands someplace safe. She giggled and said that, "Oh, I don't' think that that's a hand after all." I tried to gently drop her as I realized that I was only wearing my boxers at that point.

She laughed and told me that she had not thought about trying to notice that before, but now she would have to keep an eye out for it. She smiled and told me that she remembered what we had talked about the night before. Savah added quietly that what we "were" had only been a thing for less than a week. She added that it takes longer to make a good suit of leather armor. She said that she wouldn't even consider it a waste until we hit full plate levels of time spent, and that I was providing her with a lot of fun and entertainment. She whispered that she wouldn't go any further than what we had already done, but that I shouldn't expect that this reduced or eliminated any of the other "relationship obligations" that would have to be maintained to help keep up appearances.

She started to strip out of her onesie while I was still in the room. I tried to make my way past her to get out to give her privacy, and she quietly told me that everyone thought that we were together in that way. If I rushed out of here when she was changing that might cause people to question if it was a ruse. I was trapped, and I knew it. I quietly thanked her for her insight and turned to face away from her. She giggled while she changed, and said something about there being "no time for that now" and "later, we have work to do" loud enough for anyone nearby to hear while she got dressed. She whispered that I should probably be getting dressed at the same time, or else she would leave with me still in my short pants, sporting that, for anyone nearby to see.

I quickly got dressed, which resulted in a fair amount of incidental brushes and touches. She seemed to be enjoying this a bit too much from where I was standing, but she said that it had been a long time since anyone had seen her as anything other than a merchant, and that playing a game and having some fun would be good for her. Before she stepped out, while I was still tightening my belt, she noted that I still had to repay her for the pajamas with a wink. She headed out with a swagger in her step, and I could only hold my head in my hands for a minute before making sure that everything was set up right before heading out.

I left the ESR and headed down to the new break room. Everyone was around the break room at that point already digging in to the meal provided by our resident chef, Jonathan. Savah was there, grinning and patting the seat next to her. Dame Rebekah, Faunra, Jonathan, and Chelger were all seated around the table eating. I joined them and I saw that Dame Rebekah and Jonathan looked a bit uncomfortable. I grabbed a bit of food and asked Faunra if she had heard anything from Shalelu. She looked like she thought I should have already known, but for politeness sake, told me that she had received word from Shalelu. The goblins were infighting at Thistletop, but that this might clear up at any time. She continued to tell me that Shalelu had added that she would continue to keep an eye out and would call us up if anything changed. I thanked Faunra for the rundown and continued eating in mostly silence.

We all got ready with the different things that we needed to deal with. Savah was helping out where she could, but she needed to go run her store, so she took off and took Faunra's armor and Dame Rebekah's shield to add to her Goblin Slayer collection. She kissed me on the cheek before heading out and said that she would drop by later when the armor was created for the fitting and trials. She left with a swagger and the tension decreased a little. Dame Rebekah came up to me when there was a lull in what I needed to do to make everything ready to question me.

Dame Rebekah confronted me almost immediately when I was available. She dragged me into a nearby room, slammed the door shut and looked me in the eyes. She launched into me about lying about how I felt about my family, my home-world, and my honor. She railed up one side and down the other about how I wasn't worthy of being in this group if I was going to betray her trust like that. I waited until she stopped, and asked her if she was to confirm it. I asked her who told her that I had had sex with Savah. She told me that no one, that she could tell by how we were acting. I asked her if she could tell when I was lying. She angrily noted that only sometimes. Well I told her to try to listen to me now. I told her that I have not had sex with Savah, and that I have no interest or intention in doing so at any point in the foreseeable future.

I continued on by explaining that on Sunday, Savah and I had a talk, where she told me that others in town might likely try to do the same thing that Shayliss did with Jonathan towards me. She also said that they might not be as blatant or direct as Shayliss. I told Dame Rebekah that Savah had offered to act as a kind of pretend romantic partner to keep others at bay. I added that I thought that it was logical at that point. It would keep me out of the social quagmires that I might end up in otherwise. I figured that a well-respected business woman would be a fairly unassailable person to go against, especially since she knows her way around a sword. I continued on, telling Dame Rebekah that I had never intended for this to go as far as it has, because I still love my family back on my home-world. If I didn't, I added, then I would probably jump at the chance to explore this world in great detail, and enjoy all of the adventure that there could be found here. But I STILL wouldn't just try to take advantage or people like that. I could try to advance this world with everything that I knew and make the place a fusion of magic and science, something better than each world individually.

I also added that Savah had asked me last night if I would consider staying in Sandpoint, and I guess with her, if I couldn't make it back home. I told her that I would be devastated and hurt for a very long time if I was to find out that I couldn't get back to my family for any reason, but that I would definitely consider it, should that be the eventuality. I added that I also told her that I didn't want to hurt her by making her wait to just see if things went wrong for me, not knowing how long it would even take to find out. I told Dame Rebekah that even after all of this, Savah had told me that she still wanted to be friendly with me and keep the ruse up. I continued to tell Dame Rebekah that Savah had told me that on Sunday that she wanted to make it so believable that even you and Ameiko would have believe it, or at least have doubts about it being fake.

Dame Rebekah was just about to blow up at me when Jonathan cleared his throat from the doorway. We both turned to face Jonathan and Faunra, both being in the doorway, and before either Dame Rebekah or myself could say something, Jonathan looked at me and told me that he was going to have to tell her everything. I shut up at that, and he turned to Dame Rebekah. He told her everything that I had talked to him about the night before, and since the beginning of our dealings with Savah. He then turned to me and said that he also had to confirm what I had said that I had told Savah last night. He told the both of us that he had gotten word from Faunra shortly after I had left, and he started to head down. There were no lights so he activated his dark-vision. He had managed to make his way to the round room just as Savah had asked me the fateful question that I had told Dame Rebekah. He noted the sincerity that I had when I told her everything that I had told her, and repeated it almost verbatim for what I had said last night, including a lot of self-effacing things that I said about myself during that conversation.

He told Dame Rebekah that I had offered to leave the room, to go elsewhere, and Savah had said that I shouldn't leave. He told Dame Rebekah that I had told Savah that I wasn't comfortable with the more physical aspects of the ruse, and that Savah had said that she wouldn't increase the obvious physical stuff, but that it wasn't wise to break it off with everything being as it was. Dame Rebekah listened to what he said. She looked to me and asked why I was so frightened about others doing stuff that might get me in trouble. I asked Dame Rebekah if this world had charm spells. She said yes. I asked Dame Rebekah if this world had love potions. She again confirmed. I asked her if this world had people of high status that were used to getting whatever they wanted, like my world did. She said that yes, yes it did.

I looked at everyone and told them all. I don't know that I can resist magic like they can. I don't know that I could throw off a Charm Spell or a Love potion to be able to stay true to my family. If people thought that there was someone that already had their hooks in me, they might not think I was worth the effort to even try, either because I was already captured by someone that they could make a deal with, or that I was captured by someone that they did not want to make an enemy of. If Savah stays with us as a friend, then the only damage done is to my reputation, if the world thinks that I gave up on my home-world. Those that want to try to get to my home-world may think that I am less willing to go back home if I am attached to someone here, and spend their efforts elsewhere, where more capable people might be there to confront them.

Dame Rebekah looked at me still full of rage, and asked if I was so selfish that I would monopolize the attentions of a woman that I had no intention of being with. I yelled back at her that I had told Savah that she should leave me and have a good life. I told her that I told Savah that she deserved to be with someone where the best case scenario wasn't that they would fail at their quest, just so that they could be together. I did tell her that I would consider coming back to Sandpoint if I couldn't get home for any of a large amount of reasons, and that we could consider it more then.

Dame Rebekah fumed out of the Glassworks, right into the group of Ilsoari and his students, Vaeren, and Ameiko. She grabbed Ameiko by the arm and said that she needed to talk and needed a drink. Chelger offered to go after her, but Dame Rebekah said that he should only if HE thought that he needed to. He was welcome to stay here, if he wanted, or do whatever. I told him that I had no ill will towards him at all. I did ask that he keep everything he heard or saw this morning a secret, except for anything that would make it seem like Savah was in a deep relationship with me, if that wasn't against his religion. He said he would just keep quiet about everything and headed back to the Cathedral. I shrugged, and welcomed everyone in. I got everything set up and started to show the kids and everyone else different aspects of principles that this worked around.

I asked the kids what they thought might happen if I put this piece of paper in this oven? One of the older ones said that it would burn. I threw the paper into the fire, and said correct. Jonathan threw the kid two sugar candies that he had whipped up as an incentive last night. I asked the kids what would happen if I had the paper in a tank that heated up slowly. A lot of the kids guessed nothing or that it would burn, and one kid guessed that it burst into flames once the tank heated up enough. I set the paper in a small tank, and we all watched it. Sure as anything it did what was expected. Everyone that guessed got a candy, and the correct guess got a second one. I asked them if they anyone knew why it happened. None of them knew, of course, and I told them that this wasn't their fault. It wasn't their teacher's fault. This was something that my world had discovered because we didn't have magic. We needed to look deeper at the physics of the world. I told them that I would teach them the beginnings of some of my science, and if they wanted, I would try to get their teacher books so they could learn more.

I drew up a triangle on the board, and asked them what they thought was needed for the paper to burn. One of the students raised their hands I called on them, and they said paper. I said yes, and the kid got a candy. I told everyone that we were going to write it up on the board as fuel, because more things than just paper burn. I asked if anyone else was required to get a piece of paper to burn. The kid who answered the question about the heated paper said heat. He got a candy as well. I asked if everyone thought that those two things were all that were required to get fire to burn. Most of the kids said yes. I got a different oven out and put the last piece of paper in it. I asked if the teacher can confirm that nothing magical is affecting the paper, tank, or fire. He cast his Detect Magic cantrip, and said that he detected none. I asked if Mr. Vaeren could confirm that there is no magic affecting any of those things. He cast his spell and confirmed the observations of Ilsoari. I took some of the extra Argon that had been gathered, and filled the tiny tank with it until the air was all displaced. I sealed everything back up and put the tank in the oven and waited. We all watched for the paper to burn. It didn't. Everyone was amazed, even Vaeren and Ilsoari. I asked if anyone had any guesses what might happen if the door was opened? There were no guesses. I shrugged and had Jonathan open the door to the tank. The kids watched as the paper burst into flames. I asked if anyone had any guesses why.

I asked Vaeren if he knew why? He said that he would have thought that it was magic if it had not been for his detection magic being currently in use. I told them all that the reason is that air, or more specifically a component of air called oxygen allows the fire to burn. I wrote up oxygen/atmosphere on the board on the final leg of the triangle. I asked if everyone understood that. There was a bit of confusion, so I got out a candle, and lit it. I grabbed a clear glass mug and put it over the candle. It sputtered and went out. I showed them that if I let it get air quickly, it could start back up, but that if I kept it over it for longer, that the candle would not re-ignite. I told them that if Mr. Ilsoari was willing, everyone could stay and watch the process for the armor, but that everyone had to promise that they would have to promise to follow the safety orders of Mr. Jonathan, Ms. Faunra, or myself. If something happened to all of us, or you can't get to us for some reason, follow your teacher. The kids all nodded and Ilsoari accepted those conditions. He had accepted these conditions the day before, but I had wanted the kids to know that this was dangerous.

We started the process, coating all of the fabric with the black mixture. The children all asked if they could help and we got them all brushes. Some of them helped me coat Savah's suit, and some of them help Jonathan and Faunra coat my suit. Vaeren asked if I would tell them what the mixture was. I told him and the kids that if anyone ended up working in this place for either Ameiko or whomever took over the position in charge of this plant that they may end up learning the mixture. Faunra told him that it was a precise mixture, and that it was tracked with magic in this form. If it was stolen or removed in this form from here. He blanched for a second and thanked her for that information. Once everything was prepared to my satisfaction, I did a final once over and touch up before transferring everything over to the twin tanks. Jonathan and Faunra sealed them up and checked each other's work.

Vaeren helpfully said that it might help the kids if they knew why we did that. I told them all that this is a very precise operation. Just like making master crafted weapons or alchemical items, this required a lot of precision. The best way to check this is by having multiple people check to make sure that they don't miss anything. The kids all nodded. I made the last checks and set the copper into the heat check location for the tanks. I flooded the tanks with the Argon using a siphon pump and a flame for verification that the air was all gone. I sealed everything up and we set them to rise to temperature. I told the children that it would be four hours at temperature before the items were done, like cooking a large turkey in an oven.

Jonathan said, speaking of which, is anyone hungry? The kids all cheered, and he went with Faunra to get them the meals he had made. I swear that Jonathan is a great man, if a little capricious at times. I asked the kids if they had any idea how I might be able to tell when the tanks would be at the right temperature. One of them said when that copper bar melts. He got a copper piece from me directly, and said that there were two more things that we checked to make sure that the temperature stayed the correct temperature. I asked if anyone else knew them. The kid that had first guessed about heat causing paper to burn asked if it was the color of the fire. I tossed him a copper coin. I asked if anyone else had any guesses. Vaeren, when no kid ventured a guess, said the color of the flame. I tossed him the last copper piece and said correct.

I told the kids that after lunch the fires would be up to temperature. We would like for them to help us my watching to make sure that they stayed at temperature. We'd give each of them a copper coin if they would. They all screamed yes as Jonathan and Faunra came back with several dozen sandwiches. Jonathan asked if they were saying yes that they wanted lunch. They all screamed yes again. Ilsoari came up to me and asked if I had experience teaching kids before. I told him teaching yes, but kids not specifically. He told me that if I wanted to teach this "science" that he could make a block of time available. I told him that I didn't know what the future would hold, but that if things panned out, I would not be against it. He nodded that this was the only true answer than any of us could give. He went to where Jonathan had his tray of sandwiches and got one. He asked Jonathan something and he pointed to me. Ilsoari nodded, and continued eating and grabbed a drink. Non-alcoholic cider, basically flavored water, that Ven had distilled. Dame Rebekah had made sure it was pure before the events of today, and Faunra flavored it when she went out to get the sandwiches with Jonathan.

Vaeren came up to me and asked me if I was a native to Varisia. I told him that I was from farther away from here than anyone he had likely ever met. I added that on my world, we did not have magic. He mused that this must be why we focused on commanding the forces of the natural world. I nodded in agreement. He said that it was likely then that I wasn't a worshiper of Brigh, the patron of crafters. I told him that on my planet there was a goddess of the name Brid, or Brigid, but that the worship of her had fallen off centuries ago. She was devoted to fertility, poetry, and smithcraft. I told him that there were a few worshipers of her left on my planet, but that in the vast majority of circumstances, the gods and goddesses that people worshiped didn't answer prayers. I told him that a simple act of turning water into wine was seen as a divine miracle in one faith. Vaeren asked if I had a faith, and I told him that I believed in The All-Father, and I was technically a registered priest on my home-world for him.

He asked, so you are a priest, who can't cast magic. I told him that yep, that about sums it up. Vaeren asked why I still believed. I told him that I trusted Odin to look out for me in his realm, and I would look out for him in my realm. I told him that I figured that there might be some kind of interdiction that prevents gods from granting divine miracles after one of them sent his missionaries to destroy the icons and temples of the other god's faiths, torture them into changing the worshipers of other deities into his followers, and preventing trade to those countries that were not countries ruled by his faith.

Vaeren asked, but that god lost, right? I gave him a look of pure cold steel and told him no. My faith is one of the subjugated ones. We were so beaten down that the dominant religion doesn't even acknowledge our existence. They fight among themselves between different denominations, while those of us that are not in the among the faith struggle to find work. The best we can do is hide our faith and hope that the people in power don't look too deeply into us. The three major faiths of the world are all different orthodoxies of the original faith, and each one outnumbers mine by a factor of millions. Those who have money and resources have rigged the system so that they stay rich, and everyone else cannot get ahead.

Vaeren asked if there was any hope of making thing right. I told him that no, but that all one can do is do what it right for yourself and your family. He nodded and accepted what I said, and excused himself. I sat by myself for a bit. I walked over to the two ovens and saw that the fire was the right temperature. The tank was the right temperature, and the copper was melting. I made sure that everything was good, and sat back down at the back of the workshop area. Jonathan and Faunra were both helping out by entertaining the kids with their abilities, and Ilsoari and Vaeren were both talking to each other about something. Damn I could use a punching bag right now. Or a hall of glass bottles and a baseball bat. Or a wooden statue and a machete. Just something that I could beat or destroy. I hated getting into arguments with people I worked with. It was never productive. I hope that we could work this out. I don't want to force the group to pick between us.

For the next few hours we all made sure that the temperatures stayed constantly above the required temperature, and kept watch for any signs for fire. The kids all did a good job, and we cycled them between Jonathan on one oven, Faunra on another oven, and me teaching the rest of them the scientific method and how to design simple experiments. I showed them electricity and I even showed them how to make a simple battery with a piece of citrus, a piece of copper and another piece of metal. Some of the kids were fascinated, others were perplexed, and others still were just plain bored. I expected this to a degree, so we allowed them to cycle as they wanted. I took over for Jonathan after a bit, and he started working training the kids in martial arts, basically turning the workshop into a dojo. I was glad about that; he can really do this well. Teaching the kids some self-defense would help build their self-esteem and help give them a better focus on mindfulness and meditation. By the end of the four-hour block, Jonathan had cycled through again and Faunra was teaching them all things about planar creatures, starting at the smaller things like mephits.

We took the tanks out of the oven once I was certain that they were fully reacted and that there would not be any further use in them being heated any further. I got Faunra to start cooling it and she explained to Ilsoari and Vaeren what the process was and they both helped too. We made sure not to cool them down too fast, as we didn't need thermal shock to damage the cases. I inspected the fabric after it came out and it was up to standard on both sets. We got the mixture out and I asked the kids if they knew what living steel was. None of the kids did. I told them it was a metal that worked to heal itself when something was made from it. They listened to Faunra giving a brief explanation of the origin of this material, and how it was harvested. She showed them some of the fine green powder that we had. She showed the kids how her armor started to recover when a tiny scratch was generated on it form her Adamantite arrow head. I guess that was what she was using to reshape the statue. Good job for her.

All of the components of the mixture were added to the alchemical cement treatment and the proper fabric pieces were immersed in the alchemical cement mixture. I told the kids that the next part can take a fairly long time to dry. I told them that based on the weather conditions today, it looked like it would take five hours to dry and another one and a half to assemble and finish. Jonathan and Faunra offered to take everyone on a hike, and Ilsoari and Vaeren decided to go with them. I told them that I had to update the data points and extrapolate out any issues that might arise from where we are now. Jonathan and Faunra led everyone down into the cleaned up catacombs. I used the time to fill in my entry so that I wouldn't forget anything. I swear that this was one of the worst days that I have been on this world, and that includes almost dying to goblin attacks.

By the time I was done with my notes, Jonathan and Faunra had probably escorted all of the kids down to the round room and the kids all got to experience floating. Something that would have probably been a brand new experience for most of them. At least without water around them. Shortly after Jonathan headed out on his expedition with everyone, Savah had dropped by and said that she only had a few minutes to visit. She had someone dropping by that was looking to buy the Goblin Slayer shield specifically, and they told her that they would be there promptly at high sun. I told her that I was sorry but her armor wasn't ready yet, that we had only just gotten it into the cement phase. She asked if there was still time for a design of some kind, like Faunra and Dame Rebekah have. I told her yes, of course. She asked me to make a simple heart design on it. I drew it out quick and she approved.

She also told me that she knew that she had been a little pushy this morning with everything, and she wanted to apologize. I told her that it was okay, that I can understand there being some kind of backlash after I dumped all of my issues on her last night. She said that she still should not have caused strife between me and the party, and that she'd try to smooth things over with everyone. I told her that Dame Rebekah was the one who was taking it the hardest, and she went to The Rusty Dragon with Ameiko. She nodded and said that she would start there. She gave me a light peck on the cheek and smiled. I smiled back at her in my broken way and wished her luck. I told her that I hoped that Dame Rebekah didn't explode on her like she did on me. I also reminded her to make sure she got back to her business by high noon.

I knew right what I was doing for mine, so I got it out of the way first. For mine it was a bit more in-depth, but I decided to go traditional with it. I made the Futhark Ring around the Valknut. Both were blooded before they were filled in with reddish hued gold. It was the least I could do for honoring my god, like the others had. I had to cut my arm for the blood, but I had done so before so this wasn't that big of a deal now. I didn't know exactly what to do for Savah's design, as a plain heart outline would be a bit bland. After I had done my armor, I got a good inspiration on what to do, so I got hers done fairly quickly. Since I felt like using a little flourish, and since I had a flashback to her claims about me still having to repay her this morning, I had her heart design done up in platinum.

I bandaged the wound up pretty good and made sure that it wouldn't get infected or anything. I concealed it under my sleeve so that it wouldn't draw that much attention. While the cement was drying, and the kids were all exploring in a cleared out series of catacombs, I looked into the radio situation. I could make a spark gap transmitter fairly easily, and the technology for a tower wasn't all that difficult. The issue would come when I try to make it a receiver and a transmitter. I could do it easily if I sacrificed two radios. I could even just wire them up permanently to a solar charger with a larger set of antennas and we could probably get a good distance from setting it up as a simple repeater. We could barely afford to do that once, much less multiple times if we need to. If we need to split our time between or Magnimar, or even farther places then we will need to either keep bringing the radios with us we will need to set up various repeater stations.

I was getting sucked into depressive spiral when I noticed my spare set of mic/earphone set was sticking out of my chest pocket for some reason. I realized that I had more resources here than I had been taking into account. It might take a lot of time, but it is possible. I don't know for certain that I would even have to do it anyway. I remembered the articles that I had downloaded from makezine, and the other DIY files I had on my thumb drives. I have a lot of resources, even if I need to build them all from scratch. I can find the radio frequency fairly easily with enough time, I mean there are not any other channels to sift through. I could make a spark gap transformer and a cat-whisker crystal radio since I can get ahold of copper wire and I'm sure that I can either get or make the crystals I might need for it. Making a speaker wouldn't be that difficult, since the place has, even in rough form, all of the materials that I might need. If I add in a way for the radio to rebroadcast the words that makes it even better. It will take a hell of a lot of time to go from nothing to nineteenth century radio technology, to rig it so that it can connect it to a twenty-first century radio network.

I realized that I could even go simpler tech and set up a telegraph service that had a self-sustaining power supply. Imagine Savah being able to just telegraph over that they needed supplies or Belor being able to send a missive to Magnimar to request additional men. Almost instantly, with no magic. If we set up relay stations, I could set it up so that the whole of Varisia could be connected for emergencies. Defenses might not be improved by just that, but the ability to coordinate forces would definitely help. I could easily give them Morse Code for the telegraph, to make communication standard. I drew out the things that I knew that I could make and made a list of the things that I would need to get. It was starting to get fairly expensive. I needed a very strong source of power, a fairly constant one too. That required batteries and a generator, one that was a good continual source of power. That was going to take some work. None of it was going to be in any way small, but that was a good thing in a way. It might mean that they can be a little more resilient. And it also means that there is hope. I decided that it would be best to finish updating all of this in my before the kids and everyone got back.

Well, that was an interesting end to the day. Shortly after I finished up on getting my Journal updated, Jonathan and everyone got back from their little expedition. Faunra told all of the kids that she was the one who was working on the statue, and that it was going to be of Shalelu. I thought that this was a good touch. They took them through the prison, and offered the kids a chance to see an old Thassilonian Prison. It was a fairly good experience. Apparently, Jonathan had the foresight to go a bit ahead of the group when Faunra was explaining the statue to make sure that there were no issues with the round room.

There weren't any, really, but it did remind me that I did need to find myself my own room. The rest of the day had gone fairly well; a lot of the kids were impressed by the tests at the end, and even participated in hitting the armor with some hammers provided. Vaeren showed them a few more spell tests, but couldn't find anything specific that would destroy the armor any more than normal steel armor, and it was harder still than normal steel armor. Savah showed up after most of the destructive tests had been completed. Faunra had been in the breakroom when Savah knocked. When she came in, she hugged Faunra. Faunra asked her if she realized that she wasn't me. She said that she knew, and that she was wanted to say thanks for Faunra's Armor set.

Savah said that someone had come in and bought the armor quite quickly. Both the Chain shirt and the arm guards had been bought up quickly, by an adventurer who happened to be travelling through town. She got almost double the price from the adventurer, with the adventurer taking one look at the items and offering double the normal cost. When Savah asked why, the elf said that it was a pristine example of a lost technique that he would love to give to a friend that was an historian. She took the money and the elf took the armor with a smile on their face. Savah said that she'd be glad to take them all to dinner this evening if they were willing. Faunra accepted for the group, because you can't really say no to Savah. Even Faunra says that she understands this now.

Savah came into the workspace and rushed her way over to see me. She hugged me fiercely, and I cautioned her that there were kids here. She giggled, but left it at that. I showed her that her armor was complete, and she grabbed the lower layer and rushed off to put it on. I was a bit flabbergasted at the rush, but it seemed to be in character. I she came back out with the black base layer over her white cotton under-layer. She came over, and whispered to me that she would have to have Rynshinn retailor the white layer to be a little bit more open and trimmed back. I told everyone that we would have to add the extra hard armor components, and showed the kids how everything was added and where. The chest pieces, the back pieces, the arm guards, greaves, and the faulds/cutlets.

I put the arm guards on her while she just watched me. I positioned the chest and back pieces, aligned them up together, and made sure that everything was strapped together correctly. The straps were all made from the same boron carbide fabric as the base layer I went down to her legs and started putting the greaves on. This whole time, I was trying to be as professional as I could. While I was putting the greaves in place Savah was smiling. I helped her get the cutlet and faulds on and in place, and she asked me if this material could be cut easily. I told her that she could try, if she wanted. She grabbed one of my knives from sheaths and tried to cut the base layer. It didn't cut. She tried to trim the cotton base layer with the knife and it worked. She noted this and was happy. She thanked me and asked if there were any other tests that could be done while she was wearing it, to see what it felt like.

Quick as a snake strike, a pair of impacts hit the armor, one an obsidian tipped arrow and the other a steel marble. She was a bit shocked for a second but them greatly amused. She didn't feel anything more than what she might normally feel in armor. Then she noticed that the minor scuffs were self-healing and actually squeed. That was when she noticed the platinum heart inlay. I had spiffied up the design to be a more of a Celtic knot work heart. She hugged me tightly after that and said it was beautiful. I gasped from the hug that was reinforced by the hardness of reinforced steel cement armor. Savah let me go after a minute, and I told everyone that I would try my suit on. I took my new base layer, and went over to the ESR.

I got the base layer on over a simple peasant outfit, and put the base layer on. I realized that I would need to add pockets to this to make it more accepting to my own personal aesthetic and utility focus. Good thing there was extra cloth and alchemical glue. I came back out and went over to the molds that housed the hard parts of my armor. I removed them and started to add the arm guards. Savah came up and offered to help me when she saw that I was having trouble. She noted my bandaged wound at that point and looked back at me. I shook my head and we just continued. She helped me get my chest plate and back plate on and positioned correctly. She kneeled down to help first put on the greaves and the faulds/cutlet. I tried to help her with the greaves, but she shooed me off. When she got to getting the faulds and cutlet positioned correctly, she whispered up to me that she didn't know that she minded this view from time to time. I know my face got a little red at that point and I shushed her. She winked and smiled but didn't say anything else about it. As she stood up, she looked over my icon and looked like she wanted to ask a question, but didn't know the right phrasing. I whispered to her that I'd tell her when the show and tell was over.

I stood up straight, admiring the patterning that had ended up occurring with this suit. It really was true that each suit of armor that was made in this was turned out slightly different. Before I could ask if Jonathan or Faunra to test it, I felt two near simultaneous hits strike my chest. I wasn't hurt, and the armor distributed the blows fairly well. Hardly any scuff marks from where the steel ball dented or the obsidian shattered. It took a minute but I began laughing. I told the kids if they wanted to take a look at the armor could come up and look. The kids all came up and touched either Savah's or my armor, some tried to hit the hard places or cut the soft places. I asked the kids what they thought they might have learned today. One of them said how to make armor. I told the child no, and had Jonathan give him a sugar candy anyway. I asked if anyone else had an idea what I was trying to teach. A disaffected older kid spoke up and said that I was trying to teach them to learn. Jonathan offered him two pieces of candy, and I said close.

I looked around for a minute, and told them all that I was trying to teach them to question. I added that even though they might be given answers throughout life, they should always ask if this is the true answer, or if it is just what looks right because they do not know enough to ask more. Some of the smaller kids nodded. The older one scoffed. I asked her why she scoffed. She said that we were adventurers, and that we could get away with asking questions. I asked her why she doesn't ask me a question. Any question. I will tell her if I am not bound by a pact or oath that I made with someone else.

The teen thought about it and asked me what the most powerful weapon I had ever heard of or seen was and if this armor would stop it. I told her that I would answer it, and that it would be a very regretful thing for me to do so, for reasons that she might not understand. I started out by telling her that since she didn't quantify what kind of weapon, I would list one each from a three different categories. I also noted that my experience does not include a lot of things on this world, so the comparison might not be complete as far as she might be concerned. I told her that the most powerful handheld melee weapon I had ever encountered was a charging lance from a knight mounted on a horse. I have never seen my armor go against it, but I gave it the same odds as steel for preventing penetration. The strongest ranged weapon that I have seen is either Faunra's arrows or one of Jonathan's launched balls, which is why we use them as one of the tests that the armor goes through. The strongest weapon from my home-world is something that has only been used in war twice since its creation. Both times it had been used it was by my country, who invented it. I added that the scope of the damage area was so massive that it would depend on how far I was from the impact. If I was at ground zero of the blast, then my armor, myself, and even some buildings would be vaporized. In one of the places where this happened, the explosion was so fierce that it caused silhouettes to be imprinted on walls of the bodies of the people that were vaporized. Nothing was left of them, just a discoloration on a piece of stone. If I was farther out, where I was just getting the torrential firestorm, then the armor would likely survive, even though my lungs burst into flames and my brain boiled in my skull. This weapon had a damage radius in the miles range, and that is without counting the after effects. It poisoned the land for generations as it killed. It is so terrible a weapon that the entire strategy of warfare changed on my home world after that. I finished with telling them that if they didn't trust that, we can try and find someone who can magically tell if I am lying.

The teen didn't say much more after that, only grumbling. One of the smaller kids asked why we gave out candy even when the answer was wrong. I told the child, and the rest of the kids, is that when there is no danger in guessing wrong, there is nothing to be earned by not guessing. I added that if they learned the scientific method, they would learn how to build on the results to experiments that they do, even the failures. I added that sometimes failures tell you more than the successes do. That teen finally found their courage and asked if we had any failures with this armor. Vaeren stepped up and told him that yes, we did. Yesterday in fact. I thank Vaeren and told the teen that we had attempted to use something magical to displace a process that I was using, which was why I taught everyone the fire triangle today. Our process requires that the material does NOT burn. We tried using an enchantment to stop it, but the energy that the material was too much and it burst into flames after the magic ran out. We learned a bit more about the process and magic at the same time with that. I asked if anyone else had any questions. None of the kids did, but both Vaeren and Ilsoari asked if they could talk to me later about the symbols on the armor. I told them that I'd consider it, but since it was not part of the demonstration, it would have to be at a later time.

They both agreed, and said that we could discuss it after they took the kids back to the Turandarok Academy. Most of the kids thank us for this and I told them all that if this was still around when they grew up a bit more, that we would be looking for some smart, inquisitive young people to work here. I would be glad to teach them what I was allowed if they did want to work here, but that they would have to apply with the owners of the process and the Glassworks. I told them that Ilsoari would know who to contact, and what the process was. Ilsoari and Vaeren both left with the kids, after being handed a goodie bag of treats to take with them for the kids. As soon as the kids were gone, Savah nearly leapt on me. She was kissing both cheeks and getting closer and closer to my lips. I pulled back and asked her what all this was for. She told me that no one had ever given her something Platinum before, especially not in a way like this.

She jumped off and asked what that was, point to the arm that had the bandaged wound. Faunra and Jonathan came over and wanted to know why she went from lovey to accusatory. I got some help taking off the bracer and the bandage had soaked through with blood. Jonathan asked how I had cut myself and how long ago it was. I told him that I had cut myself while they were all down in the catacombs, and that I treated and bandaged it as best I could. He asked if I consented to being healed. I was a bit confused by the way he asked, but said yes. The feeling was vastly different than how it felt when Dame Rebekah or Father Zantus had healed me. Their healing felt like a divine light was removing the wounds. The healing I felt as Jonathan touched me was more like my body going into overdrive to sew up the wound on its own. He told me that I would be a bit drained until my body recovered. I thanked him and got the arm guard back on.

Jonathan accepted the thanks but told me that I still had not answered him. I told him that part of my faith permits for the blooding of runes to empower them. I used my blood to empower the runes on the armor that I had worked on today. Jonathan asked if I had done that for either Dame Rebekah's or Faunra's armor. I told him and Faunra that I didn't think it was just for me to impose my beliefs on their religious emblems. Faunra looked relieved at that. Savah asked if I had done that with hers. I quickly realized that although I had not intended to, there was likely some blood in hers, since I didn't really do a good job bandaging the wound. I apologized to her and told her that I didn't know, but that it was possible. She was a bit confused, but didn't say anything else. Faunra cast her Detect Magic spell, and looked at Savah's, her own, and my armors, but didn't say anything about what she had seen. Faunra only said that Rune-work was usually the domain of the Dwarves on this world, and left it at that. I didn't know that I wanted to know if it had worked or not. I don't know which would have been more impactful in my life.

Savah came out of her kind of stupor to say that she was still going to take all of us out to the Theater tonight for the Comedy special. I asked Jonathan and Faunra if they thought it would be best for either one of them to go talk to Dame Rebekah about the invite. Faunra said that she had some arcane research to conduct, and Jonathan said that he was suddenly thrown off by the misaligning of his chi from healing the wound. He bluffed that it might be backlash from the disparate magic and natural forces. I saw through it but accepted anyway. I told them all that I would go talk to her, and asked Savah if this was a fancy wear event. Savah looked to say yes, but then looked past me and said no. I turned around to see both Faunra and Jonathan trying to act as nonchalant as possible. She then added that I still owed her that date, and that after this, it would be two, with a wink. She said that she was going to be wearing the armor that I had made to the show, and that Faunra and I should as well. With that, she took off to go make sure her store was locked up and there were no stragglers. I saw that she had my previous armor with her. I didn't think that I needed it anymore, so that's all good.

I asked Jonathan and Faunra if there was anywhere that they would like me to stop off before I got to The Rusty Dragon. Jonathan asked if I could pass the word to Shayliss on the way, and Faunra asked if I could also pass an invite to Hannah Velerin from Hannah's. I accepted and asked if there was anything else. The both looked at each other and said, nope. Or at least that is what it amounted to. I got fully armed and set up as best I could in this new armor, I realized that I still had to add pockets to places to allow for me to store everything that I stored normally. I mean, I could leave my wallet at home, and I had thought enough ahead to have my multi-tool and my EDC pouch have areas where I could attach them easily enough, but everything else that I use my pockets for is not represented by the complete dearth in these clothes and this armor. Oh well, that's what 2.0s are for, am I right?

I made it to Ven's General Store with no issues. He just checking out his desalination still out back when I got there, but I had Shayliss go get him, so I could be formal about it. He wasn't in the best of moods so I asked him what was wrong. He told me about the deals that Shayliss had gotten, and how the salt that he needed wasn't immediately available. He told me that Cracktooth wanted it by Fireday. I asked him if the still had been made out of metal. He told me no, stone and wood. I sighed and told him that stone or wood would take much longer, but that if he needed it quickly that the best he could do was to get some really shallow pans and boil the water off. If he did this enough times, he could get enough salt. I asked him how much he needed. He said that he would need at least ten pounds. I told him that he would likely need at least thirty gallons of water. If he set it to a slow boil and boiled off about nine tenths of the water, he might be able to get the rest of it evaporated out by Fireday. It would be good to bake it after he got it in salt form, to make sure that it was dry. He nodded and went about getting everything. Before he got out of hearing range I asked him if it was okay for Shayliss to go to the theater tonight with the group. I believe he said yes, so I told Shayliss that he had said so, and that she should get ready for it. I added that she didn't need to be all formal like the last time we went to the theater.

Before I left I asked her for directions to Hannah's. Shayliss mentioned something about us moving way too fast even for her, and told me where to go. I went down Main Street to hit Water Street and then Market Street. I passed The Rusty Dragon and hung a right down Whisker Street. I hung another right at Hook Street and there was Hannah's. I knocked on the Shop's door and an Elf looked at me. She pulled me inside her shop and demanded to know about my armor. Which is amazing since I could swear that I was stronger than her and outweighed her by a good hundred plus pounds, equipment notwithstanding.

We were both inside her store when she repeated the question again, asking me where I got my armor. I told her that I had made it this morning, along with another set for someone else. She mentioned that she had seen someone prowling around town in similar armor last night. I told her that it was likely Faunra, the Elven Archer who had gotten a set yesterday. I asked her if she got a good look at the person's face or front. Hannah told me that the person had covered their face, but that the armor had an Elven deity's holy symbol embossed into it. I told Hannah that it was, in every likelihood, Faunra. She was an auxiliary member of the town guard and was looking to ensure that there wasn't any trouble last night. An individual had made some comments during a town council meeting and since we had been asked by the mayor to have a decent presence while Sheriff Hemlock heads to Magnimar to try to get more troops to help defend the town from a possible goblin assault. She nodded sagely to that.

She looked me over sagely and asked, "So what are you here for then, don't tell me that you are here looking for my … other services." I was curious what she meant by other services, so I asked her. She told me that she was the one who helped women take care of situations that they were not prepared for. It took me a minute before I figured out what she was meaning. I told her no, dear gods no. I had not even been with anyone in that way in over three weeks. I've only been on this world for two weeks, and not even in this town for all that time. I don't know that anyone could even tell without magic in that short of a timeframe. I mean even if everything aligned up completely in line with the woman being fertile at the right time, and us doing something at the right time, it could still just be late right now, if noticed at all.

She looked at me a bit oddly, and asked why I knew as much as I did about this. I told her that on my home-world reproductive health was a big subject, and people were officially taught about it shortly after hitting puberty. She looked a bit incredulous at my claims, as if I had said that on my home-world we eat frozen milk and drink a concoction made from one of the more expensive beans in the world, and asked if not that, then what was I here for? I then remembered what I was actually here for, and told her that Faunra had requested that I ask her if she would be interested in accompanying her (Faunra) to the Sandpoint Theater tonight.

She asked why Faunra might want her there, and I told her that I could only venture a guess that she would feel more comfortable knowing that there is an elf here who knows more of the ins and outs of this town. She's new to the town too. Hannah nodded, and asked what was playing tonight. I told her it was a comedy, and that we were all invited by Savah Bevaniky. Hannah had a bit of a look about her, and asked why Savah had invited us. I tried to play it off that she had just made a good sale due to her linking some goods to the Goblin Slayers of Sandpoint, and that she wanted to spread a little good will our way. She probably didn't believe it, but said that she would go anyway. She said to not expect her to dress fancy in anyway, and I told her that I'm wearing what I'm wearing now, maybe plus a few more pockets. She nodded and started to push me out the door.

Well, that was my last side quest before heading to the big boss. Time to face this foe. I started my way towards The Rusty Dragon. I would swear that if this were a video game there would be some kind of rising tempo techno background music playing as I walked. My main hope was that since it had been a few hours, Dame Rebekah had not grown in anger since she stormed out of the Glassworks. There wasn't much else left to do but to confront the issue. When I got to the door, I took a deep breath, stood up straight, and walked in. Dame Rebekah was there laughing and talking with Ameiko, who was behind the bar. Ameiko saw me and told Dame Rebekah. The mood soured instantly. I walked over to the bar and asked Ameiko if I there would be an issue with me being here, because I would head right back out without a word against her if there was.

Ameiko looked at Dame Rebekah and Dame Rebekah said that it would be fine. Ameiko motioned for me to sit down. I sat down at arm's length from Dame Rebekah and Ameiko asked if there was anything I'd like to drink. I told her whatever cider or ale was on tap. She gave me a mug of something black and thick enough to act as grout. Apparently it is named for a mythical giant red snapper in the bay. Huh. Go figure. I drank it down and waved off any refills. I started to say something but Dame Rebekah stopped me. She told me that she has encountered people lying about relationship things all the time, and that those who lie about those things tend to be the best liars. I told her that I can understand that. I told her that I didn't lie to her wen I told her those things, and that I didn't lie to her when I talked to her this morning.

Dame Rebekah asked me why I didn't engage with Savah. I told her that I had pledged not to fuck other women when I got married. I wasn't going to turn away from my vows. Hell, I added, I know that I could probably worm my way into a relationship here without a phenomenal amount of effort, and I could probably keep it quiet when I got home, if I wanted to, and my family there be none the wiser. The thing is, I really didn't want that. I had my time of wanton sexual flings. I am not looking for that anymore. If things changed, I might recalibrate what I want, especially if I could not ever make it home, but right now all I have is hope.

I added, I mean, I'm pretty sure that I won't make it home right now. I have to make over the equivalent of a quarter of a million dollars in my home-world currency, and I might, on a good day, make the equivalent of twelve hundred bucks a day telling stories. Roughly half of that twelve hundred would have to go towards food and shelter. That leaves me with more than over five hundred days. That's assuming really good conditions, where I judge the crowd right and tell them the exact story they want to hear. That means I will be gone for over a year. Even best case scenario, where I find a person like Ameiko, where I can cut my living expenses in half, and I get the most that I ever made every day, I'm still looking at over two hundred days. I'll likely lose my job in no more than two weeks from today. Three would be pushing it. I've been missing for over two weeks, which is all well and good, because there won't be any money coming into the household after four weeks, maybe five if I timed it right. Some of the things won't cause problems, but others will just keep piling up, putting my family in danger of getting kicked out of their home. My wife can't have me declared dead for another, oh, six years, eleven months, two weeks, and three days. That is a lot of time between when they get the money from my life insurance and the date I went missing. And all of this presupposes that I can actually find someone in Magnimar that can cast the spell that I would actually trust to be on my home-world for any length of time.

Another drink showed up in front of me. It was from Ameiko. She just looked at me and said that she didn't know if I was telling the truth right there, but even if I wasn't, it was a good enough story to warrant a cider to wash down the stout from before. Dame Rebekah looked at me at me and asked what my family would do. I told her that if my wife was smart, she would file for abandonment as quick as possible, to try to defray some of the costs that would result from me missing. Dame Rebekah said that she would not be my wife anymore. I told her yes, this is true, but not having the second party there to sign holds things up. I don't know for how long, but that it adds time, precious time that she doesn't have when it comes to funds. If I didn't make it back in the next two to three months, then it would probably be better for my immediate family if I just stayed gone, financially at least.

Dame Rebekah took all of that in. She said she only wished that she knew if it was true. I said in pure exhaustion that they have spells for all kinds of things, I can't believe that they don't have magic to tell if someone is telling the truth. Ameiko perked up and said that there was one person in town that could cast the spell. She might even be willing to, knowing that you are enemies of the Scarnettis, but that she probably wouldn't be able to cast it until tomorrow. She could get in touch if we wanted. I was all for it, but Dame Rebekah had second thoughts. She said that she should just trust me, that if I said that I didn't have sex with Savah, that she should just believe me. Ameiko laughed for a second, and said that she can't read people worth a damn, but that even she could tell that I haven't gotten laid in over a fortnight. Joy, even when someone backs me up they deride me.

Dame Rebekah laughed at that and said that it did help a little. I thanked Ameiko as well. Dame Rebekah went to get up and said that we should probably head out, no knowing what mischief the town has lined up for us. It was then that I remembered why I was here. I told Dame Rebekah that Savah had invited all of us to the Sandpoint Theater, her treat. It's a comedy routine, no need to get fancy. I told her that Faunra and myself were going in our armors, she should too. She nodded, and said that she should probably get word to Chelger about it. I told her that I'd catch up with her, that I had something quick to talk to Ameiko about.

I asked Ameiko if we were okay to reconfigure the rooms at all to better suit what we were doing. She said that it should be fine as long as we don't collapse the place. I thanked her and said that she should be there tonight too. She said that she would think about it. I headed back to the Glassworks and saw that everyone had headed out. I picked up a radio and a spare battery to get to the Mayor, as it had recharged by now. I made sure that the whole building was locked up and I made my way to the theater.

I was stopped along the way by a couple of town guard asking if what I said last night was true. I asked them to be a bit more specific. They said that I had told a watch man that it would likely be today or tomorrow that the Sheriff would be back. I gave it a second to ponder and confirmed that it was my opinion that it would likely be tomorrow that he got back. Another one asked if it was true what he had heard about the armor. I told them that they were going to have to be more specific. The watch man said that if the watch were interested in getting armor like this that Savah would work out a discount for members of the watch. I replied quickly that yes, I can confirm that to be true quickly. They nodded to that and I asked them if there had been any other goblin sightings recently.

They told me no, not since the issues at the Glassworks. Something had come along and removed the goblin bodies from where they were pushed off of Junker's edge. I took that info in and thanked them. They asked me in turn if there was any word about the future goblin raid. I told them that we had a person keeping an eye on the goblins and that they would tell us if the goblins were on the march. They accepted that and bid me good day. I told them that I was glad they were around and that I was certain that they could handle anything that came up, but if they did need me or my group, that we would be at the Theater tonight, to just have an attendant come get us. They accepted that and we split paths. I went to the Town hall and got there just as the Mayor was about to leave. I gave her the radio and the spare battery. I showed her how to change the battery, and that the radio had about a day of "on time" with each battery. If she turned it off at night, then she could probably get another two days out of it before I had to get it back to recharge the batteries.

She took in all of the information and asked if I had anything to update her on. I weighed it out for a minute and told her that I would have to be brief, as I was heading to meet up with my group somewhere. She accepted that and I told her about the power moves that Scarnetti was making. What the watch man had told me about what he was approached with. I told her that there was a person in town who knew, but could not provide evidence that the Scarnettis had hired the Sczarnis to set fire to the rival mills. She frowned and said that these were all things that needed to be brought up to Sheriff Hemlock when he gets back. I nodded and said that we would be glad to give a full rundown of what we could tell him when he arrives. The mayor thanked us for all we were doing and wished me a good night. I accepted her thanks on the behalf of my party and told her that the watch had been told where we will be tonight, if we were needed.

I headed out after that, and went directly to the Sandpoint Theater. That's a lie. I took a side trip to a different store, but I'm not writing about it yet. I'm leaving it for now. Suffice to say that it will be something that had to be modified that I will have to pick up later on. I made my way to the theater. All of the group were there, Chelger and Dame Rebekah were talking to each other, Faunra was talking to Hannah in Elvish, Shayliss and Jonathan were cuddled up together, talking about things, and Hannah was there waiting for me. They looked at me like I was the one ruining all their fun, but I told them that I had to get a radio to the Mayor.

They sighed and shook their heads. We went to head in, but were stopped by one of the attendants. The young lady sad that she was told to tell us that our money was no good here. I blanched a bit, and asked if I could talk to Cyrdak about it. She had another attendant take us up to the Balcony where he was seated. Cyrdak motioned for us to sit down, and said with a laugh that he thought that he'd start out our night with a joke, since he knew we were coming. I had to admit, it was funny to think that he would just flip like that. The seats in the balcony, which had previously been done up in rows, were now set up in groups of four around tables. Him and Jaspar were at one, with two empty seats. He asked for Jonathan and Shayliss to be seated with him, as they had important things to discuss. Faunra and Hannah were seated together at a table and Dame Rebekah sat down quickly with them, with Chelger following. That left me and Savah at a table alone.

You would have thought that there were six or eight people at the table with how close she sat next to me. She did helpfully explain a fair amount of the jokes. The attendants came up part way through the night and asked if we wanted anything. Savah was thinking about getting the fondue stuff, but I told her that we should get that at Cracktooth's after the show. She agreed to that and she decided that we should just got some drunkfish vittles, and Tooth Cracker Rum. She ordered five sets of the vittles, two for each of the other tables and one for ours, and a shot of rum for everyone. I asked if the attendant could have the cook pour a small amount of the fondue cheese on the fried potatoes. The attendant recognized me and said that she would have to check with Jesk, but it would likely be okay. I asked if there was any of the popcorn available. She told me yes, there was. I asked how much Jesk was charging for it. She told me it was two copper for a small bag, with butter and salt. I said awesome to myself and looked over the balcony at all of the people in the crowd. I gave her two gold and told her to get everyone downstairs a small bag. I whispered to the attendant that if they ask tell them it is compliments of Cyrdak, celebrating his engagement to Jaspar. I thought for a second, and passed her an extra five silver, just to make sure that it covered everyone and had a decent tip.

The attendants went off and the show went off fairly well. Jaspar blushed when the word went around about the marriage proposal. Cyrdak did his part to go with it, even getting on one knee to pronounce his undying devotion to Jaspar. He said that they would plan a wedding and that everyone was invited. He coyly mentioned that they still had to figure out who would wear the dress. That got some laughs. After the show, I told Jaspar that he should not be embarrassed about being who he is. If that causes problems, then look to those who are your friends to support you. Naturally Savah was right on my hip, listening to everything I said.

We all got together after the show and went to Cracktooth's Tavern. Cyrdak asked is we needed the private booths. I told him no, that it would be better to be seen out in public, and it could drum up business for the fondue. I think that he accepted that, and we all got tables near each other. We got some "Understudy"s and some fondues. Jesk thanked us for the bump at the Theater, and that he started getting requests for drinks after that from the general seating area. That never really happened that much before. I told him that he might have to make a deal with Cyrdak about getting the seating areas cleaned after shows, but that the profits from doing so should more than cover the costs. Jesk nodded and went back to the bar. The configuration of the people at the tables changed from where it was at the Theater.

Faunra and Hannah had taken a small private table and were discussing some things. I had turned off the part of my brain that was paying attention to them, to respect their desire for privacy. Dame Rebekah and Chelger were at a table with Jonathan and Shayliss, probably talking about the wedding again. A lot of plans to be made. Cyrdak and Jaspar were with Savah and myself. Cyrdak confronted me directly about the marriage thing. I told him that there was always truth in jest, and that if they did feel that way, life is too short to not be with the one you are destined for. Savah was there listening to me for that too. Cyrdak wasn't ashamed of it, and said that they would have to put on a grand performance. I had a brainstorm, and asked if it was a good idea to have something set up on Crystalhue, where they got married and Jonathan and Shayliss got married at the same time? Cyrdak asked if I meant a dual ceremony? I told him sure. I guaranteed that I could convince Chelger to do it if they wanted. I'd have to ask Jonathan and Shayliss if they wanted to do it as well. I told them that I had already put a down payment for Ameiko's services as chef for the reception dinner afterwards.

They were impressed by how much it worked out. By having it linked to a religious date, their detractors wouldn't be able to say much without pissing off the religious folk. Jaspar said that he'd consider it, but that he wanted his sister, a priest of Abadar to do it. I said that I would talk to her if he wanted. He thanked me, and we changed up the conversation. I told them that I had something special planned, that if I was still alive and here that it would be a nice addition to the dinner. They asked if it had to stay a secret, I told them yes. We had a pleasant but directed conversation for the rest of the night about what we thought might be coming to pass with everything, about how the Scarnettis seemed to benefit from almost every negative thing that happened to competitors, and how political satire was needed to make sure that people didn't think to highly of themselves.

We ended the night with full bellies and slightly tipsy heads. All of us, Chelger, Shayliss, Jonathan, Faunra, Hannah, Savah, Dame Rebekah, and myself all got our way back to the Glassworks. I would be lying if I didn't say that we took turns using each other as supports from time to time on the way back. I think that Jesk had to have enchanted mugs, because the "Understudy"s never ran out until the end. I fumbled for the key for a minute, being annoyed again by the lack of belt loops or pockets on this gear before finally getting it and getting it in the keyhole. Dame Rebekah said something about it being obvious that it's been a while since I had trouble getting it in. I just glared at her, as everyone filed in. I locked the door behind us and Jonathan asked if anyone wanted a drink before heading off to bed. I blearily remembered that Shayliss had to be home, and mentioned as such. Dame Rebekah claimed that she had drunk too much as she tried to sit down. I could agree with her assessment. Chelger said that he felt a little too drunk as well, and collapsed into a chair next to her.

Jonathan was getting the ciders, but I didn't know that Ven would be very appreciative of her fiancée bringing her back with boy of them drunk, and I'd imagined that by that time, definitely disheveled. Faunra and Hannah had already retreated somewhere to talk among themselves, about whatever they were trying to discuss, so that left me and Savah. Savah had already sat down and was making no moves towards getting up or volunteering, so that left me. Jonathan came back with ciders for everyone and we all drank and shared some jokes. Mine mainly fell flat, but Savah tried to laugh politely at times. Hard to make jokes about popular culture when your popular culture is millennia and millions of miles away from a place. After that last drink, Savah went off to get changed, and Dame Rebekah went off to help her, and get changed herself.

I told Shayliss that I regretted to tell her that I had to escort her back home. She told me that she understood, but asked for me to give her leave for one kiss. I relented and after a brief overly drunken romantic embrace, I broke it up and Jonathan muttered that just because I wasn't getting any didn't mean that he couldn't. I guess that I was the soberest one, or that what I had drank tonight didn't count as brandy, because I just let it roll right off of me. I escorted Shayliss out the reception area door, and locked it behind us. I was ready for a meaty fist to strike me when we got to the General Store, but Ven didn't seem that upset. I told him that I had witnessed nothing more than what would happen on a middle school date, and he seemed confused. I'm pretty sure that he was more drunk than I was. He told Shayliss to head up to her room, and she went. He asked me to sit down. I did.

Ven looked me in the eye and asked if this was some joke that I was playing on him. I was a bit confused, and said as much. He said that the jerky wasn't selling, and that the salt was taking a lot longer than I had told him would. I told him that I would try to help with the jerky, that if people didn't know that they wanted something, then they wouldn't try for it. I told him that I would think up an idea, and get back to him on it. I told him that the saltwater just needed to be boiled down and then he could dry out the salt. I told him it was still Toilday, and that he had another two days before he would have to deliver. I asked him if the glass was leaking by?

He asked me what glass. I asked him to pull out the schematics. He did, and I saw a smudged area where it had said glass. I sighed, pointed it out, and re-wrote it, in the best drunken penmanship I could. He took a look and said that he'd try to get it done. I told him that once he has the glass in place, he should refill the water, to a one eighth of an inch deep. I told him that this should dry most of the way in a day, if not all of the way. With his four by eight-foot evaporation pan, he should be able to get about a pound a day.

He nodded, and told me that he'd get talk to Ameiko the next day about the glass. I thanked him for sticking with this. He accepted and told me something else, that he was worried about his other daughter. I asked him why and he told me that he was worried about his daughter and that no-good Harker from the lumber mill.

I asked him if he thought that he could really keep her from seeing him if he wanted to. He said that he could beat him up. I nodded and said that he could, but that this might only serve to push Katherine further into his arms. He shuddered at that. I told him that he should have a frank and honest discussion with his daughter. She was an adult, and if she intended on being with this Harker, then she should be upfront about it with you. I told him that the heart wills what the heart wills. I told him that the best thing he could do was to provide the kind of role model that he sought out for his daughters' future husbands. He said that he would think about it. I wished him a good night and started home.

While I was heading down Sand Street, I noticed that someone was following me. I don't know how, maybe they were just as drunk as I was. I kept my pace and continued on, but trying to keep an eye on the people who were tailing me. I got to the Glassworks and got my flashlight out before turning around. No one was there. I did a quick sweep, but still saw no one, so I unlocked the door, rushed inside and locked the door again. When I got to break room it was empty. I guess that everyone went to sleep without waiting for me to get back. Oh well. I got my tablet out and decided to start writing. By this time, any kind of buzz had worn off, so the recollection wasn't terribly difficult. I figure that I'll write until Jonathan wakes up and then he can take over listening for any calls over the radio.

I had just gotten finished updating my Journal when I heard a chirp come over the radio. I cursed to myself as I ran outside. As soon as I got outside the call became much cleaner. I whispered into the radio for the caller to please repeat last. I heard Shalelu come over the radio and ask if I could understand her. I told her yes, I could. She told me that she was on the coast by the Shankwoods, that she had been trying to get ahold of us. I apologized and said that this was the first call that I had heard. She said she understood, there were a lot of obstructions in the way. I asked her what the update was. She told me that the goblins were getting more concentrated and it looked like they might be ready to head out any day now. She cautioned me that if we were going to strike them, that we should do so promptly. I told her that I would discuss it with the Mayor in the morning and thanked her for her continued watchfulness. She said that she could get used to being able to warn people like this. I told her that if I could find a way to manufacture radios like these, I would make sure that the town guard and the Mayor each get ones. Maybe even Father Zantus and Hannah. She said that she thought well of that idea, and that she had to sign off. I told her good luck.

As I unlocked the door and got back inside, Jonathan was up. He asked me what was up. He seemed fairly chipper. Maybe he had taken to drinking a lot of water before drinking like I did, or maybe he had the same curse that I did. I told him about Shalelu and how we should probably move on Thistletop sometime soon. He nodded, and asked if we needed to go tonight. I told him that going at night would be the worst idea, because the goblins can all see well in the dark and the only person on the team who might be able to do the same is him. He nodded, and added, then you better get to sleep, because we were likely going to have a busy day tomorrow. I decided to finish up writing all of this in my journal before getting changed and going to bed.