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.

22. Day 18 or Celebrate!

Day 18: Celebrate Starday the 6th Lamashan 4707 Ascendance

I swear that she ends up wearing less and less clothing whenever she wakes up from going to sleep in a bed with me. I woke up with an unobstructed view of her chest. The blankets were down around our waists, one of her hands was griping the side of my hip that was opposite her. That meant that her wrist was very close to an area that I didn't need her messing with at the moment. I was just trying to figure out how to extricate myself for the situation when Faunra came into the room in a fairly unabashed manner.

She was dressed only a little more than we were. She had a different bottle of wine in her hand from last night. Savah stirred next to me and pulled the blankets up while Faunra was looking off in the mid-distance towards the opposite side of the room. Faunra yelled at me that I should just do what might make me happy. She told me that life was too short, even for elves. How much shorter was it for humans, who had lives like a dog or a cat. I asked her if something else was wrong. She told me that she had a good night with Shalelu, and that she was going to at least help us get rid of the Barghest in the room before she made any other decisions.

I thanked her for sticking with us and that I wasn't sure that we could do it without her. She shushed me and directed her attention to Savah. She told Savah that I was a good man, and that she should sink her claws into me and not take no for an answer. She said that she could see me doing a lot of things with magic in the future, even if I only end up having the abilities that I have now. She trailed off for a second, and then added that we should get hitched with everyone else that is during the Crystalhue ceremony, just like Dame Rebekah and Chelger and Her and Shalelu. She fell back out of the door and shook her head. She looked at both of us and shut the door loudly.

I looked to Savah and told that it looks like this is our wake up call. She laughed and said that we could stay in bed a little while longer while stroking my stomach again. My face showed my sadness when I told her that while I really did appreciate her enthusiasm, that I still needed a few more days to find out what it was that was world changing that I needed to be here for. I told her that I was pretty much certain that I knew I would be staying here, and this was a stupid thing, but that I still needed to talk to Father Zantus about one thing before I could go further. Savah told me that she'd wait at least until we got back to Sandpoint, but that she wasn't going to stop reminding me what I could be having.

I told her that I don't think I'll forget the view from this morning. She said that she couldn't wait to see a bit more of me too. I smiled and got out of bed with her. I helped her get dressed without turning away or averting my eyes. I threw on my work pants and then the armor. Since I could mend the clothes, I figured that I could just repair any damage that the armor does to the clothes by abrasion. We got out of our temporary bedroom and headed downstairs.

Jonathan had worked with what we still had from the food we brought and the meager things left in the pantry. Jonathan had done wonders with what was left. Everyone was in various states of readiness, with Dame Rebekah and Chelger being the most put together, and Faunra being the least. Jonathan was basically Jonathan. I didn't bother to ask him if he had engaged in any carnal activities with Shayliss. I just hope that there isn't an issue with pre-marriage children in this time. I have no doubts that Jonathan wouldn't still marry her, but I don't want an issue with Ven.

I was the first to speak up and asked everyone what they needed to do today. I started off with noting that I needed to find some diviners to talk to about my situation, and Shalelu recommended the Stone of the Seers in the Keystone District. Savah said that She'd go with me as she was going to head down to the Bazaar of Sails to get the things we needed sold dealt with, and to get some things that were ordered from her store that they didn't have in stock. Jonathan noted that he also had to visit a building in the Keystone District, but wouldn't say more than that. Shayliss said that she was heading to the Capital district and Chelger volunteered to go with her after he and Dame Rebekah went to her morning services at the Temple to Iomedae here in Naos. Faunra noted that she had to go visit some sages and a monument in the Lowcleft and Shalelu said that she was going to go with her.

We split up into three groups, with each group heading to their destinations. Jonathan, Savah, and myself all headed to the Dockway first and foremost, to try to get the armor situation dealt with first. Maybe, if I was lucky, I could get some other business done as well. Jonathan was extremely useful in this, as he could levitate the materials just slightly above the cart that I was pulling, making it look exceptionally easy. Savah whispered to me that she loves it when I show off. Jonathan put a little bit more of the weight on the cart and I struggled a tiny bit to keep up with my former pace. Laughs were had by all three of us.

We passed a towering structure that was hidden behind a wrought iron fence. There were Iron Ospreys perched on top of the fence posts intermittently. Savah told us that she thought that it was called the Osprey Club, for obvious reasons or course, and that it was a place of splendor for those who were connected to only the most affluent members of Magnimar high society. I told her that they could keep it and she smiled. We passed into the Dockway district a short way south of a massive stone bridge sized for giants. Savah told me that she was always told that it had always been here. We passed a drinking establishment that had a sign depicting cavorting devils dancing around a unicorn that had its horn cut off. I told the both of them that I had no interest in drinking in such a place and they both agreed. We continued on our trek and passed monument that depicted a pair of adventurers fighting off spiders of a giant size. Jonathan wanted to look at it, so I kept an eye over the cart with he and Savah shared notes over it. After about five minutes, they returned and we headed on to the place where Savah said we could sell or buy anything, the Bazaar of Sails.

Savah took us through the odd array of temporary shops and stalls to a moderately better off place. "The Griffin's Armaments" was the name of the store and it was run by an elderly half-elven woman by the name of Arierwel. She wore dozens of charms, symbols, and other items. I'd almost swear I saw a protection rune on her among the lot, but she didn't notice that I was wearing something similar if she was. I never saw such skill in haggling between Savah and Arierwel, and I visited the Gold Souks in the Middle East fairly frequently when I was over there. Savah ended up getting us a percentage of what the weapons were actually worth, but doubtlessly higher than I would have gotten. They both shook hands as they concluded that part of the deal.

Then Savah went through Arierwel's shop briefly and picked out everything that she needed for her business. Again, there was haggling, but less so this time. Apparently this time was a lot better natured, as if they had been playing out this role several times over. Eventually she got what she needed and paid the shopkeeper. Savah told her that she wished her well. Arierwel talked to her in some language that I didn't know after looking at me. Savah looked back at me, and replied back to Arierwel with a pleasant demeanor. As we were leaving, I asked Savah what the shopkeeper wanted. Savah looked at me with a grin and said that a woman never tells.

We headed back through a couple of alleys that we transited to get to "The Griffin's Armaments" until we got to another permanent shop, Rytheard's Magical Hauberks, which was a small single story building that was run by a shorter man by the name of Rytheard. He apparently loved to haggle as well. Savah greeted him like they had known each other forever and went right to business. The haggling was even more intense than the last time, but in the end, she still got us a good measure of money. She concluded our business and then conducted hers. Savah ordered a few sets of armor that had been requested from her shop that she didn't have access to in Sandpoint. Rytheard asked her where we both got this amazing armor, pointing to the new armor that Savah and I proudly wore. She told me that she had a secret technique and might be interested in selling some eventually. She added that there are already buyers lining up. He asked what kind of properties it had, and she took off one of her arm guards to show him. Before he tried anything, Savah asked me to explain what all the armor itself was proof against.

I listed off my litany that it was harder than steel and only likely slightly less hard than diamond. It had a melting point above that of steel, was proof against a large variety of acids and other chemicals, had good resistance to radiation pass through, and about one third of the weight of steel for the same dimensions. He decided to test it by smacking it full force with a hammer. My armor didn't dent. It didn't shatter either when he hit it, which was another worry. He was suitable impressed and asked how it was shaped. Savah said that it was a secret, but that the people who got the armor needed to be available for it to be made for the whole process.

Rytheard said that no one would be available for the months that it would take to make this without magic. Savah laughed and said it takes at most two days. She said that she didn't even know that this armor material existed the last time she was here, and had not even had it made before last week. He tried to tell her that she was lying, but he could tell that she wasn't. He looked at me and I told him that the armor was made from start to stop, once the materials were gathered and prepared, in a day, and all without magic. He could barely believe it. Savah said that she'd send a messenger to him when the Armory had a vacancy.

We left with us getting a fair amount of money and a decent contact in the area. I told Savah that I would likely leave her with the business sense aspects of the whole armor thing. I'd be glad to be behind the counter working on things. She smiled and whispered that me being behind her sounded really good right about now. I shushed her on that and asked if she knew where I could see if a certain spell can be cast. She said that it would probably be best to talk to the Wizard academy that we had to go to anyway. I asked Jonathan where he needed to head to. He told us that he'd branch off when we got to the Stone of the Seers.

Savah led us, cart and all, along the piers, keeping careful to stay away from an encampment of people practicing their wares and other people practicing trades of a different sort. She noted that we were really threading the needle with the path we were taking, and that we should keep our purses close. I was glad that I limited myself in what I was carrying to just the necessities. We made it through without too much difficulty and continued on our way toward the Keystone District when we were set to pass a four story building that seemed to have as many, if not more, balconies than there should be rooms in the building. Each one of those balconies had one if not more scantily clad men or women calling out to the people down below. I kept my head down and Savah laughed.

We passed by a building that Savah told me was an office for the Aspis Consortium, a group of people who seek to trade in all manner of things. I asked if she had a minute for me to go in to ask if they had an item that I had heard about that I wanted to investigate. Savah went in with me and Jonathan stayed outside to keep watch over the cart. The front office was extremely empty. I asked the person at the front if they might be able to tell me if they had an item based on its description. They looked me and Savah over and told me that they'd answer my question if I answered one of theirs in kind. I looked to Savah and she shrugged. I asked them if they had any discs that were about this size, and shimmered, relaying Victor's description from a week or so ago.

He told me that he had one, that it would cost a hundred gold, and wanted to know if I wanted to buy it. I said yes, and that this was the easiest question I had been asked in a while. He looked a little put off before I told him to go ahead and ask his real question. The man asked if we had acquired this armor from any Thassilonian ruins. I told him that this armor was created within the last few weeks, and that the symbology that he might have clued in on was from a different area entirely.

He shrugged and had an associate bring out a small metal disc. I had brought along my multi-meter just in case I had encountered this in the city. I checked the voltage and was amazed at the levels. I paid the man in full and pocketed the battery. I asked him if he had access to getting more of these. He said that he could but some of them were not of the same quality as this one. I told him that I would likely be back from time to time and that I might be interested in buying more of these eventually. He told me to keep in touch.

After we left the building, Savah told me that the Aspis Consortium were generally regarded as ruthlessly seeking out ruins and plundering them. I told her that this was mainly their business. If they were seeking to unleash horrors on the world, they might just have me to deal with. She smiled to that. Jonathan perked up when we got to the cart. I asked him if anything happened. He said that a few kids had thought about stealing from us. They were shown the error of their ways. He smiled. I hoped that they hadn't gotten that hurt.

We continued on past a place that Savah had indicated to us were the Piers that the city controlled. Abandoned ships were auctioned off here. I laughed and realized that it was basically Storage Wars. We passed by without much interest, as we were not in the position to buy a ship at this time. Even if I was a former sailor, my experience with sailing ships was about the same as my experience with H-A-L-O operations.

We passed from Dockway to the Keystone district in the Seerspring park. There was a large fountain that was completely free of any patina of age. Savah told us that the Stone of the Seers was just ahead through the park. Jonathan noted that he knew where he was heading and that he would meet us back here. He went off to the East. He didn't even tell us how he would know when we were ready to meet back up. We shrugged and headed on to the Stone of the Seers. We got to the building housing the wizard academy and I asked a wandering wizard if there was anyone there who would be willing to talk to me.

A youngish half-elf by the name of Taren perked up and told us that Master Leis Nivlandis was waiting for us. Taren took us to the head wizard and left quickly. Master Leis was seated with an armored individual partaking in a light meal when we were brought to the two of them. Master Leis told us before we even opened our mouths that he normally didn't take people in off the street, but that he was willing to do this for me in exchange for a little bit more than the normal remuneration. He wanted me to answer several questions truthfully, as was the purpose for the priest who was waiting here for us to arrive. He also thanked us for not wasting too much of his time by stopping at the Shucked Oyster or the No Horn.

I was a little impressed and said that I was very close to immediately saying yes, but that I had some concerns. Master Leis noted that if I had to say that I could not answer, he would take that into account, but that he would try to avoid asking anything that might require me to violate any confidences. I thanked him for that and noted that I had one other thing I was trying to find in town that I had been led here to look for. He laughed and said that he would have the student that had led us here cast it twice for us so that I could have what I needed and get back to the park before our friend caused any trouble. I asked him if there was a negative version of it. He said that if I suggested it to the student, he would be intrigued enough to look into it later, but that I would look into finding an alchemical solution before he could get it finished. Still it was a useful spell to have.

I was getting a little annoyed at the fact that this wizard basically knew everything that I was going to answer and told him that I was probably going to approve the deal, but that I had one further question, why did he need me to answer questions if he already knew my answers. Master Leis told me that he didn't know what would happen when I answered the questions, only that I needed to answer the questions in the minute provided.

I looked to Savah and she looked a little worried but supportive. I told Master Leis that I would accept the deal. He told me that he needed me to answer his ten questions first, as he couldn't tell any further in the future from this point, and would like to know what he needed to know. Then I would have five questions that he would get the answers to from the gods. I prepared myself and Master Leis cautioned me to not resist the spell.

I felt the divine magic pass over me as the cleric cast his spell and touch me. I saw a reflection of myself that showed that very briefly, I took on the appearance of myself as an angel. It faded quickly, but I knew that I had seen it. I'm guessing the others saw it as well, as the cleric excused himself from the room immediately. Master Leis steepled his fingers and sat forward in his chair. He told me that he'd start easy. He asked me, what is your true name? I answered truthfully. He nodded and asked his second question. He asked, being as specific as I could be, where was I before I got to this world? I told him the galaxy that I was from, solar system, the world, the continent, the county, the commonwealth, the city I was leaving, the road I was on, the point where I left the road, and the sign that I had seen along the road. He thanked me for the completeness of my answer.

He asked me his third question. He asked do I have any intention of bringing an invasion force in from my home-world? I told him that I definitely would not. He nodded and asked do I had any contact with my home-world? I tried to say no but I couldn't. I realized that I could only say that I had no found no way for me to contact the people I knew back home. He asked me why I couldn't answer the previous question he had posed immediately? I told him that I believed that my deity had sent a message to me since I had gotten here and that he would have been connected to my home-world. He nodded to that answer and he then asked do I had any intention of staying on this world? I tried to tell him that I was trying to get home. I couldn't, not like that. I found that the words that could come out were a bit of a shock. I told him that I had not planned on going back and that every time I might have worked towards getting the money that I might need, that I found some other excuse to spend the money on a good cause. He asked me why was I not planning on going home? I gave up and said that I was certain that my life back on my home planet was wrecked beyond any repair and that there was a vast likelihood that any way I found to make it back would end up exposing my world to the dangers of demons or evil magic users that my world would have no defense against.

He sighed when he saw that I was facing this for the first time myself. He asked if was the reason why I was bringing up the inventions that I did were because I wanted to be powerful in this world? I told him, powerful, not especially. Useful yes. Helpful, definitely. Make enough to keep myself and those around me safe and comfortable? Of course. But power is something that I don't assume I can attain in a world where demons, dragons, and magic exists. He asked another question, would the technology that I was bringing forth would be as much of a doom as it is to my home-world? I told him that it was not my intention to bring forth technological horrors that I knew of, but that like magic, you can't prevent people from figuring out how to do different things with the skills they learn. He nodded to that, and said that he was satisfied with those questions. I asked him if why he had said ten when he only asked nine. He smiled and looked as Savah.

Savah asked me a question that I'm not going to write down in here. I'm not going to write down the answer either. All I'm going to say is that she was very happy with it and is more accommodating to me wanting to wait until I at least make an official decision and declaration. I looked to Master Leis, and asked him how we start the spell that he had to cast. He told me that he would do it right as soon as I decided who I should contact. I asked if it was possible to contact a human on another world with it. He told me no, only entities from other planes. I told him that the best Deity I could think of was Odin. He nodded and asked if I could give a few more designation names, to make sure that he had a good idea of who he was trying to contact. I told him that he was the All-father, the Leader of the Aesir, the Ruler of Valhalla, the Hanged God, the Wanderer, and my personal favorite, the One Eyed Bastard. Savah looked at me a bit shocked with that last one.

Master Leis told us before he cast the spell that we could only receive one word answers to our questions, and we only had five questions to ask. I asked him to give me a minute to plan them out. He leaned back in his chair and took a drink of his tea and waited. I looked to Savah, and my mind went blank. I thought back to the first time I had asked for the All Father's help. He told me that the words would come to me when I needed. I thought that it just meant when I needed to make a vow. Now I think that it means something a bit different. Maybe it means that I overthink situations, and that my best guess is the one I just instinctively throw out there first.

My first question was at the root of the issue. I looked over at Savah. I looked at my hands. I looked up at the Master wizard in front of me who was channeling vast amount of arcane energy to enable me to communicate with my chosen Deity. I asked Master Leis if Odin had chosen me for this position because he saw that I have some sort of immutable characteristic that would help me keep the danger from afflicting my world, should I see this through. A deeply un-Master Leis voice came from his lips after he contemplated this for a second, saying Maybe.

Well, that was deeply inspiring. I tried to gather my mental fortitude to focus on the matter at hand, and not on the fact that I didn't have the complete confidence of my Deity. My second question came to my lips and I let it escape. I asked that if I take the deal and head home now, would trouble follow me back to my home-world in the immediate as well as later with the resources that I have access to now. A smirk fell across Master Leis' lips as he parsed out what he had to say. Likely.

I figured that one, but having a backup of it helps make the decision. My darkest question would have to wait until last. I couldn't deal with that one yet. For now, I needed to figure out what I could do to keep my family on my home-world safe. I couldn't figure out a way to make this witty, wise or intelligent, so I just tried to appeal to any kind of good wishes I could. I asked Master Leis if there was any way that those who counted on me back on my home-world would not suffer due to my absence. There was a second of contemplation, which ended with the one-word answer, Apportioned.

That seems at least positive. Hopefully, they had gotten something that keeps everyone above water until I get back, if I get back. I don't want them to suffer in any way. I cleared my head because I needed to think. It wasn't until I heard the booming voice saying, Approved, that I realized that someone else had asked a question while I was coming back from learning what I had so far. Savah had a big smile on her face, so I'm guessing it was her. I don't know what she asked but at least she got an answer that she wanted.

That left one question, and I wasn't going to let anyone else use it. I couldn't ask my final question, so I asked the second most important question. Does my mission on this world extend further than the issue with Thistletop? The answer that I got back was kind of chilling. Vastly.

I was kind of shaken after the spell collapsed. I would have liked another question, hell, another five questions, but he didn't have it in him to cast the spell again, not that I would have really asked him. The amount of power that was coming off of him, even to my non-existent senses was more than any spell I had seen cast before. Far more than the spells that I had seen Faunra cast. Even more than the wave of terror I felt from the extra planar entity in that room.

I asked how much it would cost for the spell that had been cast. Taren had just shown up as the spell collapsed and told me that it would be five hundred gold pieces. I counted it out of my private reserve, and handed it to the young pupil. He escorted us out while Master Leis went to retire to his rooms.

Master Leis stopped us before we could leave and told me that I was a very far from home and that I should be careful who I trust from here on out. The anonymity of me and my Deity has been shattered by this use of magic. I had made enemies that were trying to listen in on the conversation, but my deity being one of secrets kept her attention away. I asked if it was a deity that I might have already made actions against the followers of. He just looked at me and said it's best to not name names if I caught what he meant. I thanked him for his wise and unsolicited advice. He told me a phrase that I had not heard for years. Master Leis got a blank look on his face for a second and told me to "Remember, we're all in this together, keep your stick on the ice." He then added that he had no idea what that meant. I replied back to him by nodding and finishing the statement, "if women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." HE was confused by this a little, but accepted it as an aftereffect of connecting with my home-world.

Taren escorted us to, for lack of a better term, the lobby, and told us that Master Leis had told him that we would have a few questions for him. I remembered what Master Leis had told me. I asked him if he could cast a spell that was similar to Continual Fire except that it emits heat instead of light. He looked at me and said he had developed this in secret and asked if the Master told me of it. I told him no, I just figured that since continual flame was a spell that exists, and since light is just a visible expression of a wave of radiation, that heat should similarly be able to be continually produced.

Taren looked at me like I had just put to words something that he knew but couldn't express for years. He said that he could, he could cast it twice today. I asked him if he could, and that we would reimburse him for the effort. He accepted the offer and I paid him the requested amount. He pulled out two chunks of rock and cast the spells on them. I noticed that the rocks were igneous, I expected that to be part of the spell. He told me that he had not figured out how to transfer the arcane energy away from the source item yet. I nodded and told him that it might be related to the consideration of the energy that had been used on the formation of these rocks. He asked me how I knew these things, and I told him that if he found himself on a break from the school, and he visited me when I wasn't on a mission, I might show him my earth science books. I asked him if he ever considered doing the same thing in reverse, where the focus items act as an entropic draw for the heat of the surrounding area?

He said that he needed to run off and check out the viability of this. He thanked me and said that he might take me up on that offer as he left. I noticed a decent sized ceramic pot that I grabbed to put the superheated stones in. Savah just smiled at all of this and I told her that since she got the answers she did; I was probably going to be here for a while. It never hurt to make friends who could tell the laws of physics to shut up, even if I was going to tell him how they worked when he wasn't making them sit in the corner. She said that she didn't know why but that sounded funny. I told her it was delivered a lot better by a talented comic writer. She shrugged and walked besides me as I pushed the cart full of her goods for her new Armory. She whispered to me that she didn't know what I meant by women not finding me handsome, with a wink.

We got back to the park and I could tell that we were just in time. There was a large wasp flying around the Jonathan and people were harassing Jonathan about it. Savah and I double timed our rush to get to him and the crowd parted for us. I asked Jonathan what was wrong. He told me that they didn't like his new friend. The wasp flew down and landed on his shoulder like a trained bird. His sleeves were rolled up and he had new tattoos of wasps on his forearms, Kwai Chang Caine style. At least he had a focus now. He told us that his mission for vengeance was well received by Dome of the Savored Sting, and they had gifted him with this new friend and a pair of tattoos. I asked if this was going to impact his wedding to Shayliss. He told me that he didn't see why it should.

I shrugged, and just left it at that. We headed back through the Lowcleft district. We were heading north to find a way to get back to the Naos district when we saw Shalelu and Faunra at the base of the tree. Faunra had her head in her hands and was crying. I asked Shalelu if she could tell me if there was anything I could do to help. She shook her head. I asked if they would like to be escorted back to Kaijitsu Manor, so that they could at least be in a place around those that care about them, instead of just being in the city. Faunra looked up, eyes filled with tears and looked into mine. I tried to show as much empathy and concern as I could when I told her that I didn't know what had hurt her but that I would still do whatever was needed to help her either deal with what had happened or destroy those who had hurt her. She stood up and hugged me and Jonathan. She told us that she met up with some of the sages here. She would tell them more when we got back to the manor.

The five of us walked up the straight Northern road in the Lowcleft until we came to an end and a sharp left turn. We followed it, passing a fortune teller establishment that looked more like a brothel. We passed this by without even stopping. We continued heading Southwest, stopping only to pick up things that we needed to make dinner or snacks for everyone. We made our way to the road that split the Lowcleft and the Dockway districts. We passed an arch that looked to have a pastoral glade behind it. It was an obvious illusion. We kept Faunra from heading in with telling her that it was at best a gimmick and at worst a mockery. She didn't like that but it stopped her from heading in.

We continued on and saw a sign designating a fancy crab dressed in a variety of finery. We noted this for later, if we needed to carouse to get the spirits of everyone up. We hurried past the backside of the warehouse that I had stopped in before. We also continued past the backside of the Shucked Oyster, the Brothel I had mentioned passing in the Dockway before. We made our way quickly back to the Kaijitsu manor and got inside. We unloaded the cart into the carriage and noticed that the helmet was gone. I hope that Dame Rebekah and the others took it. Otherwise I shall be cross. We got Faunra situated inside and I asked if there was anything that she might want to eat or drink that Jonathan or I could whip up? Savah even offered to go out and get something if we couldn't get it together with what we had here. Faunra just asked for some cider, which we provided. I even cooled it for her.

While we were finding out if we could do anything to help Dame Rebekah, Chelger, and Shayliss all came in through the front door. They were all cheery as the entered and as they saw the lot of us around Faunra, noticed the somber mood. Dame Rebekah ran forward and asked Faunra what had happened. Faunra looked around and saw that all of us were here now. She told us that they had visited lots of different sages, none of whom had even heard of Faunra's people. Then we came upon a sage who specialized in ancient Thassilon. Not enough to compare with Brodert Quink, but enough to remember vague stories of an elven village that had resisted the demands of Karzoug. The village wasn't heard from again for over a thousand years, until a merchant happened upon it. The people were waiting for one of their own to come back from talking to a mephit. The merchant left after trading some goods and the village disappeared when he turned around.

Faunra cried as she told us her people were gone. I told her that this was terrible. I asked her if she had any leads on this Karzoug. She told me that he died with the end of Thassilon. We had seen the last minutes of it in Thistletop in that hologram. I told her that I was sorry that she couldn't properly avenge her family and friends now. I asked her what she wanted to do right now. She told us that she needed to be alone for a while. I told her that she can have as much time as she needs. She left the room to go to the room that her and Shalelu had taken up. She came back in and grabbed a bottle of wine and headed back out. She came back in and grabbed Shalelu. Everyone grieves in their own way I guess.

It was about this time that Dame Rebekah noted the large wasp sitting on Jonathan's shoulder. She immediately noted that it was a gift of the Lady of Savored Stings. She asked him what he had to do to get that. He told her that he went to Calistria because he was seeking vengeance for him and his brothers where he was held before showing up in the Abbey. That was all. He looked to Shayliss and told her that he was true to her and would remain so, but that the burn of vengeance in his heart was dedicated to freeing his brothers from their captivity. She asked if that meant that the wedding was off. Jonathan told her that it meant no such thing. He didn't even know where the things that held him captive were. He wasn't going to leave her when he had found love, but if he found where they were he might go kill them quick and come right back.

I laughed. I couldn't help it. It was a very offhand way of talking about murdering monsters that imprisoned him and several people who looked just like him. Savah asked why I was laughing. I told her that I just never thought that Jonathan would be the kind of guy to just go in, stalking down these things and just come back home at the end of the day, without so much as a difference to his frame of mind. The really odd thing, I added, was that I could totally see him do it. She just looked at me and shook her head. I told her that I was sorry, but it reminded me of so many movies I had seen back home.

Jonathan told me that it didn't bother him in the least. He said that he knew I didn't think that the idea of him being capable of doing the deed was laughable, only that I'd be able to do so and not have it phase him. I told him that was exactly right. He nodded and started to get things together for dinner. Shayliss went into the kitchen to help him. Dame Rebekah and Chelger was there just milling around. I thought to ask how their day went. Dame Rebekah told us that she managed to get in to a good service for her goddess, then her, Chelger, and Shayliss all went to the Goldsmith's guild and dealt with a very long wait just to find out that the helm wasn't pure gold, but gilded. We still ended up making three thousand gold pieces out of selling it.

Savah told them that she had bargained for us and we ended up with a whopping five thousand gold pieces from the sales of the weapons and armor from Thistletop. That meant that we had a whopping eight grand to split between the people. I asked Dame Rebekah if we could side bar something with Jonathan right quick. Savah looked at me a little confused, but I asked her to talk with Chelger about what his thoughts were for the most beautiful jewelry and clothes might be for a special event. She winked at me and went to talk to him. I dragged her into the kitchen and told Shayliss, who was currently getting rather frisky with Jonathan, that Chelger and Savah needed their help with something.

With the three of us alone in the kitchen, I told Jonathan how much the total was that we had gotten from the sale of everything. He noted that he could afford a lot of things with an even split. I noted that we all could. I told him that this wasn't the point. I noted that of the four of us, Faunra was in the worst way for what had just been revealed. I told him that I didn't know if Faunra was going to stay with us after we dealt with the Barghest. I told them all of what had occurred and what she had revealed to me about her and Shalelu and Dame Rebekah and Chelger.

Dame Rebekah tried to play it off for a bit but accepted that we should know the truth and that she was looking into possibly asking him if he wanted to be together with her. I told her that I thought that he would be a good match. He rounded off her harder qualities. She bolstered his softer qualities. She thanked me for my candid assessment. Jonathan was looking at me. He said that I had not told him what I had learned this whole time. So, I told them. Everything that I have written down in this journal was relayed to them before I could write it down. Dame Rebekah smacked me upside the head and asked if I was looking for trouble. I told her that I needed to know the truth.

Jonathan asked me if I was looking forward to getting married on Crystalhue with everyone else. I looked kind of blank for a minute, and he looked at me like I was stupid. He told me it was obvious what Savah would have asked to get an answer of "Absolutely". He told me that she was asking if he, Odin, would be okay with you two getting together. It did make sense. I matched with the amount of time that it might have taken to ask. It was something that she could ask for from Odin that would make sense too, not even knowing anything else about him.

Dame Rebekah smiled and told me that it looked like we were all in the same boat in one way or another. I agreed that it looked like we were. I asked what we should do about it. Jonathan noted that he already had his plans going along. I asked Dame Rebekah if she wanted to have herself set up like Jonathan. I told her that I could talk to Cyrdak about getting their wedding on the billing. I told her that I was sure that as long as Chelger was willing, it would be a good event. I mean having two weddings for Crystalhue would be good. Having four, five, or even six would be amazing.

She started counting out and I told her to just hold off on thinking more on the participants. I asked that since we had come into a large amount of money, we could split this all up, split it up partial, stock it all up for a rainy day fund, or use if for planning the weddings. Or any combination thereof. I suggested that we might want to bring Faunra in on this conversation. We left the kitchen to see Savah and the others heading out the front door. I asked them to hold up a second. I went and knocked on Faunra's door. She told me through the door that she was busy. I didn't open the door. Savah did. She also went into the room to face the two of them. She told Faunra that she needed Shalelu to go with her. NOW. I heard some rustling and Shalelu came out from the bedroom and left with Savah and the rest of the group.

Faunra came out, barely dressed and asked what we wanted that was so important. I told her that we had to discuss some things. She stood there with the wine bottle in her hand. I told her that we had sold everything that we were coming to town for, and that we could head back to Sandpoint the tomorrow if she wanted to be done with us quicker. She stood there without saying a word. I told her that we were deciding what to do with the money that we had made. I added that we wanted her input on what we should do. I ran down the options again. She looked at me and asked why I even cared what she wanted. I told her that I thought of her as a friend and that I wanted to make sure that if I could help her I would.

Faunra just yelled at us saying that none of us knew what it was like to face the facts that we wouldn't be able to go back to our families. Jonathan stopped her. He told her the full details of his captors. They sounded an awful lot like aliens from back home. Faunra looked a bit horrified by the details that he had brought up. Faunra looked a bit ashamed at what she said to Jonathan. Dame Rebekah told her of how her family had wet to go fight in the World Wound to fight demons when she was born. They had not been back since then. Faunra said that she was sorry. I told Faunra the most important thing is that she realizes that we are here for here because we WANT to be. We want to help her when she needs help. Obviously not in the ways that Shalelu can or will, but in the ways we can help, Jonathan added.

Faunra thought to herself for a minute and asked me what terrible things I had found out today. Dame Rebekah told her everything that I had told them. Faunra asked for clarification, and I told her that I basically couldn't go back home because if I did, I would be dooming them to devastation, enslavement, and torture at the hands of demons or evil spellcasters. I couldn't say goodbye to my family because we've pissed off an evil goddess, and I'm certain that my family thinks that I ran out on them, and that is probably the best thing for them. I'm officially out of vacation days and so I've almost certainly lost my job. I've lost my employment, my name, my honor, my family, my friends, and my world, and I can't even blame some otherworldly tyrant, because I didn't pay attention enough when I was driving my damn car.

We all broke down and hugged. Not exactly the most well-adjusted group in the history of adventuring anyway. Faunra said that she thought that we should parcel it out initially and then if someone wants they can put all or some of it back into group pool. I thanked her for her insight and intelligence. So, I started, should we go find our significant others before they get into trouble? Faunra told me that Shalelu and Savah should be able to keep them all safe. We had some other important things to do. Dame Rebekah asked what that was. Faunra said, getting the rings.

We locked up the mansion and headed to the capital district. We had a budget, and we had a goal. We found a good place to get some kinds of jewelry made quickly. I still had that Violet Garnet that was unfortunately capped in a rusted kukri. That made its way into a silver ring. Dame Rebekah had a Green Spinel that made its way into a silver ring, and Faunra picked a silver ring that had a pearl set into it. Jonathan and Dame Rebekah both had some mini-tiaras made after I realized that the one that I was having reworked by the Jewelers at Rings and Things would probably have to go to Savah now. They all kind of laughed at that. Faunra took her time and found a very nice darkwood carved tiara from an elven jeweler that had a mix of blue quartz and moss agates set into it. I told her that it was very beautiful and that I hoped Shalelu would see that as well. Faunra smiled to that and immediately got it.

Everyone had gotten something at least, and we looked around to see if we needed to do anything else before we got back to Kaijitsu Manor. Faunra and Jonathan both ended up springing for refilling the pantry with long-lasting foods and a couple of bottles of wine. Dame Rebekah noted something that I really hoped that she had not. I had been spending a lot of the money that I made to make sure that we were all taken care of on the road. She said that she would be taking care of that on the way back. I told her that she didn't have to do that, and she said that I shouldn't have to always perform for our stays. I told her that the Innkeeper was expecting a performance on our way back through. Dame Rebekah said fine, but that she'd cover anything extra and she was going to get us our travel meals.

I just sighed. I expected that she would be heading out early in the morning to get all of that, and if she wanted to, she could have Savah prevent me from getting out of bed, with just a few words and just a simple suggestion. Dame Rebekah stopped us all and looked at me. She looked at the others and told me that I don't have to buy their friendship. We had all been through things that would break other friendships up, and that they were not leaving me to languish alone on this world. Faunra and Jonathan nodded. I thanked them all and said that we should get home with our significant other's new treasures. When we got back, we saw that Savah and the others were waiting outside with the cart. Apparently she had taken the initiative to get some of the materials needed to build up some more suits of armor. Apparently, what we made at selling the armor included a fair cut for her as the merchant. I'm not complaining. She had her business and we had ours.

We all got inside and everyone was a bit more at ease. We told everyone that we'd be heading back tomorrow morning. Shayliss looked a little upset, and I asked if there was something else that she needed to do before heading back. She noted that she wanted to have her Bride's party here in Magnimar. I told her that we still had months before the wedding for that, and that we'd make sure she got back here with her bridal party for it. She smiled and said that she had found just the place. I nodded and said that I hoped it went well.

We all got dinner ready and the items that were ordered arrived and we got them into the pantry without a single problem. When you have someone who could bench-press a midsized sedan with a family of four, with room left over for the family pets, with his MIND, moving things into a pantry is easy work. Even the barrels of wine were no problem. Well, we certainly didn't need Dame Rebekah for the heavy lifting anymore, and especially not me. I guess I just needed to figure out what I could be useful for in this group. I'm sure I can figure out something. Savah must have noted the turn in my mood because she told the group that we had to excuse ourselves for the night.

We got up to the room and she helped me out of my armor and down to my boxers. I helped her out of her armor and she stripped down to her small clothes. She had me lay down on the bed, face down, and gave me another great massage. I thanked her and she asked me if I could touch her in a similar manner. I said of course, but that I wasn't the best at it. She laid down on the bed and undid her top. I got over her and did the best I could. It must have been the thing, because she relaxed right away and asked me to crawl into bed with her. To tell the truth, I didn't even care that she was just wearing her loincloth at that point. I was happy when she cuddled up to me, put her head on my chest and stroked my chest hair with her hand.

She is still laying there, listening to my breathing as I type this out. If I ever figure out a way to make the transfer mentally powered, I'd probably end up just falling asleep while writing. Not that I would honestly mind having two free hands at a time like this. I need to put this tablet up and get to sleep.