Day 25: Starday the 13th Lamashan, 4707
Validation and respect can really change people. Orik was a self-centered mercenary that was only looking out for himself and how he could get revenge on those who had betrayed him. Helping him to understand where life went wrong for him and what he could do to get it on a better track only go so far. Acknowledging his issues and desires while trying to help him focus on helping others are seeming to help him make the change. He has done some negative things in the past, I won't deny it. He killed a man who set him up for failure in a town where people were killed on the regular for that. I've been told that in some societies on this planet that there is still slavery.
Now Oren wants to do good for this town that is giving him a second chance. At least until he pays off his debt. I think that I'm going to talk to Savah about this later and see if we can't set him up with a suit of armor like ours if he chooses to go out a positive difference in the world after he is released from the dues he needs to pay. I mean if he can make the change to be a positive force for the world, I would definitely try to help him out.
I ended up waking up later than Savah today. She had treated me to breakfast in bed, instead of the other way around. She woke me up with a kiss and had the small table that was already set up with fruits and other light foods. I asked her what time it was, and she said that we had time before we had to get up to open up the shop. I sat up and she sat down on the bed besides me and we picked at the food that she brought for us. I stopped eating for a minute, and Savah noticed that I had stopped. She asked me if anything was wrong, and I told her that I really liked this. She asked the food, and I told her, no, us. She snuggled up to me and I held her close.
Savah told me that we could just keep the shop closed up for the day, and relax in bed all day. I told her that we really did need to get to our jobs. She asked what I was thinking about doing. I told her that I could spend the day making several sheets of the B4C fabric so that we have a good supply for whenever our next order comes in. She smiled and said that it would mean that people could buy the stuff almost off the rack. I noted that she could always drop by and see me be bored. She smiled and said that she might drop by from time to time if she's too not busy selling stuff. I told her that I would love to see her whenever she could pop in.
We got dressed and ready for our work days. We left the room and Oren was in the break room, drinking a mug full of coffee. I asked him if he felt he was ready for his first day of being on watch? He grunted a little and then nodded that he wondered how the people would treat him. Savah noted that we had already laid the groundwork that he was a secret member of the watch the whole time. He shrugged and I asked him if Arika believed it. He said that he thought she did. I said then he could drop by Alma's Bakery and pick up something for lunch, and reinforce it since he would be on the job and in uniform.
I gave him a gold piece to get him through the day, and he thanked me. We heard a knock at the Armory door and all headed over. I opened the door and it was Sheriff Hemlock. I welcomed him in and Oren went up to head out with him. The Sheriff let him head out and looked at both me and Savah. I asked what, and he said that we knew what we did. I told him that if he got in trouble to just blame me. Savah told him that it was her idea. He shook his head and said that it probably wouldn't help for the town to think that Oren was a secret agent. I told him that it was a really great idea that he, Sheriff Hemlock, had when he heard rumors about the town having enemies that were plotting against it. Savah added that it was very wise and showed a lot of foresight.
Sheriff Hemlock just shook his head again and left. We locked back up for a second and Savah helped me get the two ovens stoked and burning. Jonathan had thankfully left us with them filled with coal, but we still needed to get them burning and up to temperature. She gave me a kiss after a bit and went off to get her shop opened up. Maybe I could set up a doorbell so that we could be informed whenever anyone came to call on us. Shouldn't be too hard. The problem would be setting multiple ones up and telling them apart. I'm sure we could set it up so that if a bell alarmed, the first thing it would do is drop a clapper cover. That's fairly simple. We could also make it so that the clapper has a continual light effect to bring our eyes immediately to it. That makes it a little more complicated, but it could definitely work. I got it drawn out after the tanks were set up and purged. I had a fair amount of Argon now, and I had found a way to store it in some tanks that would permit me to have enough of it to use for a while. Keeping the Argon system running meant that I had an abundance of it.
It had been a couple of hours when Savah came back in for a visit. She was smiling and told me that she had just sold my old Studded Leather Armor to someone who paid fairly well for it. I congratulated her and asked her if she wanted to sit with me for a minute. She came over and sat with me for a little while, nestled against me while I held her. I told her that it felt good to have her next to me. She smiled and nodded. She said that she had an odd question for me. I gave her the go ahead and she asked me why I kept two copies of the books that I had made.
I told her that one copy was going to Chask to try to parley it into getting more materials for the books that I would make further copies of for the Academy. She nodded and asked about the other one. I told her that I wouldn't want our possible children to not have access to the same resources. I told her that children are taught to read at a very young age where I am from, and I would think that I would be doing a disservice to any children of mine if I didn't work to make sure that they did as well. Savah asked what age I learned to read at. I told her that I had started reading by four years old. She looked at me with a bit of shock, but knew that I was from a very odd place and so let it slide.
I knew that she had to get up, so I hugged her tight and we kissed. She got up and smiled back to me as she went back to her shop. I continued to ensure that everything was going according to the procedure. I tweaked a little for this oven and added a little to that oven. I had managed to get a fair amount of design work done today. I felt pretty good about it. I figured that if I spent the second half of the day, after we get something to eat, making a second batch, we would have a fair amount of the fabric available for use. That would mean that we could just tailor it to people right then and there. The rest of it would have to be molded into shape, but we could even make it easier with getting the straps and connectors made up in advance.
I realized that I needed to get an arrowhead like Faunra had that I could use to cut this stuff and a set of patterns. We could revolutionize the town's defensive structure if everyone in town had access to even the lightest level of this armor. If I found a way to get rich, I'd start with the town guard, and then move on to everyone else. I could even see making the sails of ships out of this material. Imagine pirates trying to burn those sails! Problem is, I'd need a hell of a lot of cotton to get it to that level. And cotton isn't nearly as cheap here as it was on my old world. I'll figure out something.
I was just pulling the tanks out of the fire to set them to cool when Savah came in and told me that I needed to take her out to lunch. I said of course, and asked her where? She said that the Hagfish was pretty close. I asked her if she would be willing to walk with me to the Curious Goblin after, and she told me that she would be glad to walk with me anywhere. I smiled and got the tanks emptied out. They needed to cool before I could put more fabric in them. Savah saw that we had solid sheets of the material and asked what I intended to do with them. I told her that I was going to set her up with a lot of material, so that if we needed to we could just tailor it to what people would need.
We finished getting ready and headed down to the Hagfish. Jargie was there, and he was a bit more hesitant that the other tavern owners to be as welcoming after the last time we were there. I tried to smooth things over by noting that Savah and myself were just looking for lunch. Savah told him that she would keep an eye on me for him. Jargie accepted that, and we sat down at a table. One of Jargie's workers came over and asked what we'd like. Savah took the initiative and ordered us a pair of clam and crab chowders and a pair of old Murdermaw's. The worker asked if we wanted the Hag's Challenge. Savah looked over at me, smiled, and told them yes.
It was a big mistake, as I couldn't hold it down. I didn't throw up as much as I would have if I had tried the actual challenge, but I now know that I would likely never get through the actual challenge if I was to try it. Savah threw it down like a pro. Gods this woman gets my respect. We finished our chowders, paid, and left.
Savah escorted me out of The Hagfish and noted that it was good to know that there was some bar that I wasn't welcome at. I told her that Jonathan had wolfed out and used that when he drank the stein of Norah's slime. Savah teased me a little that Jonathan could do a mug worth and I couldn't do a shot. She hugged me and said that Shayliss and him were a good match. I told her that I kept Jonathan from being attacked Ven when Shayliss and him were caught. She smiled at the thought of Jonathan being threatened by Ven.
We made our way to The Curious Goblin, Chask was in there with Brodert Quint and Jabyl Sorn. Chask looked to me with wide eyes while I pulled out the copy I had made for him. His eyes lit up and he asked if this was what he thought it was. I told him that it was the first of many. He cracked open the book and said that this was amazing, noting the uniformity of the type. He showed both Brodert and Jabyl the book and asked if it was made through magic. I told him that it was copied by magic, but that it was made using a specific machine.
Brodert and Jabyl said that they had not seen anything like this ever. I told them that this was a child's book in my homeland, and that we started teaching children very young to read and write. I told them that where I was from children started school at the age of four or five, and continued for thirteen plus years. I told them that some people continued schooling for another eight to twelve years after that. They were both amazed. Chask asked me how much I wanted for the book. I told him that I would take trade of how much he thought it was worth in more blank books.
Chask leafed through the book and I could see the gears turning in his head. He asked Brodert and Jabyl for their opinion. They both looked over the book, and I could see them both thinking. I went over to a different pile of books with Savah, and asked her opinion on them. Savah whispered to me asking why I left it in their hands. I told her that Chask knew what he was willing to pay for the book, but by talking to the others he might be able to give me some hints about what his customers might be willing to look for next.
Chask called us back over and said that he could give me four more blank books. I told him that it was more than sufficient for what I need, and asked if he had any idea of what he might like to see next. He told me that he would like to see anything that we have about my home world's philosophy. I told him that I had a pair of books that I would include in one of these. I asked him if he could set me up with some of the smaller journals next. I told him that they were going to be betrothal gifts for the couples having their ceremony on Crystalhue. Chask said that he would look at what he could get me after he saw what I had for him.
I thanked him and the others for their time and we headed back to the Armory. Savah asked if I would be giving us the same gift. I told her that I could, but that I would prefer to do something better for her. She smiled and said that she would hold me to that. I smiled and said that I would always try to do well by her. We got back to the Armory and there was a customer waiting outside the door for us. Savah unlocked the door and we all went in. The customer wanted to look at a shortsword, and Savah showed them her assortment.
I smiled and continued back to the ovens, got the tanks set up and back up to temperature. I set another several yards of the material up and decided to get all of my notes done up for so far today. I decided that I was going to get a few of the books done while I got the material made. I figured that I had a good three and a half to four hours while the stuff heated up and reacted. I pulled out the blank books and decided that The Survival Medicine Handbook would be the best book for all of them. I included a bit about anatomical diagrams in the back section that was left from the second book. I made a second copy for me from the first copy.
It was about them that the timer I had set on my phone dinged. I got the tanks pulled out and opened. The material was just like every other time. I got all of the prefabricated material together and decided that we could use with maybe another day of this and we would have enough for eight suits of my style armor. A lot less if the armor was any more comprehensive than that. Especially with Cyrdak wanting to get a set for his fiancée. And the fact that I wanted to get Dame Rebekah into something similar. I felt that she could use something stronger than what she was currently using, even if it was what I had made. I'll look into it later with Savah's help. She knows a lot more than I do about the kinesiology and armor movement than I do.
Savah came in as I was getting the material onto a roll. I had used my prestidigitation power to use some of the B4C thread that was left over from the previous builds. She looked over the roll of material that I had made today and was a bit impressed. I told her that unless we had other plans, I would keep making the stuff while working on everything else. She said that she was okay with it, as I was building a stockpile for her to work with and sell. I smiled and told her that at least it could be helpful.
Savah asked if I was done with what I had to do today. I told her that I wasn't going to be making any more of the material today. I showed her the two books that I had made. She seemed impressed by the fact that I had multitasked like this. I told her that I could fairly easily do something simple like keep the temperature steady on the ovens. I told her that as long as it was above the temperature, it would continue to react while it was going on. She coyly asked me if I could do anything. I told her that as long as I was keeping the temperature steady, yep.
She smiled and said that she would keep that in mind. She told me that Oren was due back soon, if I wanted to make any plans for the evening. I apologized and told her that I had thought that I had not given it any thought at all. She nodded and said that we could just have a quiet night in, but Oren might want to go out and have a good night at a bar somewhere. I nodded and asked where she might want to go. She said that she always had liked Cracktooth's. I brainstorm hit me and explained it to her. She smiled when I revealed that it would help further the mock feud between me and Cyrdak.
We got out to the Armory as the Sheriff came in with Oren. I asked them both how their day went. The Sheriff shook his head in a way that kind of showed he was fed up with my shit. I could only sympathize with him. I know that I can be a bit of pain in the ass. Secretly, I feel that he might be a bit of a similar soul, but just recognizing the amount of additional work that I doubtlessly added to his days.
Oren told us that he had a chance to talk to Arika, and it helped. I thanked The Sheriff for helping with this opportunity to help the town out and asked if he could come look at something. He sighed and followed me to the Work area. I showed him the roll that I had made over the day making. I asked him to try to cut it. He obliged and whipped out his longsword. He tried to cut the fabric a couple of times and found that he couldn't. He asked if this was the material that my armor was made of. I told him that it was the basis of it, but that this was the core of it.
Sheriff Hemlock asked what our plans for this were. I told him that currently I was looking at making enough that we could work up a set of armor of all of the town guards and any militia that he might have on quick notice. He nodded to that and levelled with me. He said that he didn't mind me being here. He told me that he can understand a lot of what I was trying to do with the town, to make it better, but that I needed to take things slower. I told him that I can understand what he was saying. I asked if he would be okay with me running some things by him before advancing them in the town.
He said that he would, and I unloaded on him all of the things that I had been involved in so far. He listened to everything and asked some clarifying questions when he needed. I answered to the fullest extent and promised that if he needed, we could get Hayliss to confirm it with magic. He told me that it really wasn't needed right now. He told me that getting the Academy the books would not be an issue, and the same with books to The Curious Goblin. He told me that there isn't an issue with what I did with Gorvi, especially since it will make help to make things a little better between some members of the town. He told me that I really needed to stop antagonizing the Scarnettis.
I told him that I would try to do so. I told him that I'd try to minimize the antagonize him a little less. I told him that it was very easy though, especially because I knew quite a few people like him back home. He told me that he could understand, that he kind of had the same issues. I told him that I would take it to heart. He thanked me and told me that he can understand my concern with the Scarnettis but that I shouldn't make a false claim about someone breaking into this place. I stopped him right there and told him to follow me.
We went to the Armory to see Savah and Oren talking. I told Savah that I hated to interrupt their conversation, asked if she could talk with the Sheriff for a minute. I asked Oren if he could talk to me for a minute. Oren came over and the Sheriff went to talk to Savah. I asked Oren how he thought that the day went. Oren told me that he had a chance to talk to Arika today. He said that she seemed a bit standoffish. I asked if he had invited her out to anywhere tonight. He told me that he didn't, and I told him that he should go invite her to the Theater. He started to say something about money, and I handed him a platinum piece, and noted that it should cover balcony seating for both of them.
Oren asked if I was trying to just get rid of him. I told him that I was more than happy to have him here, but looking over at Savah, but that sometimes a couple just want to have some… alone time. He told me that he understood that with a laugh and a wink. I told him that I just wanted him to have a good time and I also hoped that he might get some attachment to the town.
I also cautioned him that if he wanted to continue with trying to make the town better, that I would work to find him sufficient books to help him out if he was willing to read them. Oren said that he would be willing, and I told him that I could see big things for him if he wanted to take that route. He had experience that I had not had, so he could see things from a much different light. He asked if this was a dig at him, and I told him that it wasn't, that experience was experience. I told him the old maxim, good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement. He thought about it for a minute and smiled.
Sheriff Hemlock and Savah came back over and the Sheriff apologized, saying that it was good to know that there was something of that nature in the area. I told him that if I had been armored up, then we would might not be having this conversation in this way. He nodded and said that it would be good to keep watchful from here on out. Oren asked what had happened, and I explained everything that we had went through. I also said that I had thought that since we had locked up the building that it should be better now.
The Sheriff noted that he would keep his guards up to date on any changes that happen and advise them about the possibility of something like that being around. I thanked him for taking it seriously. The Sheriff left and Oren asked if we thought that it might come back. I looked at Savah and told Oren that it was likely that it would not. It seemed most interested in Dame Rebekah, and she has since moved out. Oren accepted that and said that he would keep things locked. I told him that we just didn't want him worried.
Oren told us that he had just spent the better part of a year in a place with goblins, Yeth Hounds, and Lama- Savah stopped him and said that we don't say that name in here. He asked what we call her, and Savah told him Echidna. He continued with saying that he would be fine with keeping this place secure. It would help him feel useful. I thanked him for his thoughts and apologized for the role I played in attacking him. He shrugged and said that I made up for it with my defense at the trial. I thanked him again for his honesty and told him that I did want the best for him.
He asked if we had any plans for the night. Savah noted that we were thinking about the Theater. Oren said that I had suggested it to him as well. He said that he would go ask Arika if she wanted to go. I told him that we could make it a double date, if he wanted. Oren said that he would appreciate that. Oren said that Arika seemed feisty enough that she could be a good fit for him, if, of course, he was a good fit for her. Savah told him to be the confident adventurer and that things would probably work out for the best. Oren nodded and asked if we thought he had time to get a bath in.
I told him that we could handle it via magic, if he would like. Oren shrugged and I prestidigitated him from head to toe, one cubic foot block at a time. He said that he had never felt so clean in his life. I told him that once you have it, bathing really doesn't feel the same anymore. Savah agreed. I did what I could with everyone's hairstyling via more prestidigitation. Maybe I'll look into learning more about hair styles and whatnot. It can't hurt and it might be a good bit of info to have handy. I know that I don't have anything about hairstyles on any of my pdf's, so I'm going to have to figure out something to do about that.
We all got ready and triple-checked our lock up procedures. We made our way to Alma's bakery, or Sandpoint Savories as it is called by everyone else, and headed inside. Alma and Arika were there, having a bit of a tiff. I looked around and saw that there were no other customers, so I apologized for intruding and asked if we should drop by later. Alma's eyes lit up when she saw me and Savah. Her eyes glanced over Oren and they dimmed a little. Arika made to head out, and I asked Savah to hold her up. Savah moved quickly to intercept the wayward young adult. I moved up to Alma and apologized again for intruding on a family matter.
Alma moved her eyes from me to Oren and back and quietly asked me if he really was my cousin. I told her that I knew that I could trust her to keep a secret. I told her that Oren really was a member of the town watch who had been retained by Sheriff Hemlock for security details and undercover investigations. I told her that he had been placed with us because we had the spare room and since I had been seen as an outsider, it could easily be believed that he really was a cousin.
Alma accepted that, but said that she didn't know that she appreciated his interest in her daughter. I told Alma that her daughter had seemed really interested in the adventuring life. I told her that Oren was going to be in town for a long while now, but that his job might seem glamourous enough to keep Arika's interest and stop her from seeking out other adventurers. I told her that if she could hang around with him and get her adventuring kick from that, then it would be much safer for her in the long run. I also added to Alma that if Oren did anything to hurt Arika, that I would be right up there with Alma trying to get justice.
Alma thought about it for a second and said that she would give Arika her blessing to see Oren. I told Alma that I would give it time, to see if Arika even wants to spend more time with Oren. Alma nodded and noticed that I was had something else to say. She asked what it was, and I told her that I had a request, and that I could only think of her for it. Alma asked what it was, and I told her about the Crystalhue ceremony and how I had arranged in one way or another for maybe more than seven pairs of people to be taking their betrothal vows simultaneously. I asked her if she could set up to make something special.
I continued on to explain to her exactly what I was looking for and what I might like it made from. She noted that it would take a lot of effort and time. I told her that's why I wanted to tell her about it a long time in advance, and to give her a deposit to make sure that there wouldn't be any issues with getting it done. I gave her ten gold and asked her to get me an estimate of how much more it would be to secure her services for the event. She told me that she'd get something together by Moonday. I told her that I would bring my betrothed, looking to Savah, to iron out any details that she might want in addition. Alma smiled and said that I was very lucky. I agreed.
Savah came back over to us and told me that Oren was inviting her now. Alma looked confused, and I told her that we were inviting Arika to the Theater with us. I told her that we were making sure that there wasn't anything untoward that would be going on, before letting them off on their own and Alma smiled. Oren and Arika came back and Arika told her mother that she was heading out for the night. Alma told her that she should be careful, but to have a good night. Arika looked perplexed, and Savah whispered to her that we had had a talk with her.
We all got together and walked the rest of the way to the Theater. We got to the attendant and they waved us forward without asking for pay. Oren and Arika were a bit impressed by it. We were taken to the Balcony and of course Cyrdak was already there. He smiled and said that he saw that I had brought some different folks here this time, and that he hoped that they would last longer than the previous ones.
I smiled and thanked him for his well wishes. I asked him if he had a minute to talk about this calamity of a play. He flashed a pissed off look and got up from his table. Excusing himself because he had to set a prima-donna actor straight. He walked towards that semi-secret alcove while Savah and the rest made their way to their seats. Cyrdak asked me what I needed to tell him.
I gave him the rundown of who I had arranged for what services for the Crystalhue service. I told him that I was making progress on getting another couple to make their statements, but they might need to make their vows masked. He shook his head, and said that I was tempting trouble. I told him that he didn't know the half of it. I also related what I had been told, officially only, by Sheriff Hemlock and the undead assassin that had obviously been sent by the Scarnettis. Cyrdak cautioned me that I shouldn't spread that rumor to just anyone. The Scarnettis might be assholes, but they weren't known to employ the undead.
I shrugged my shoulders, and said that he was the most likely suspect that I had pissed off most recently. Cyrdak said that I really had pissed a lot of the more conservative members of the Abadar church in town, but that they were not that likely to use undead either. He added that most of the undead that people can make are not intelligent enough to act in the way that I had witnessed. I kind of blanked for a second and said, "huh". Cyrdak cautioned me that I was entering into dangerous territory, and that I should be careful, especially since I was betrothing someone.
I thanked him and told him that I was planning on upping the security systems at the Armory. He nodded and told me that he had heard that my "cousin" was in town and staying there with us. I nodded and said it was the fruit of one of my schemes. I asked if he felt that he needed to know about the details of it beyond what he might already know. Cyrdak shook his head and told me that he had heard enough through his in-law a lot of the details of the trials.
Cyrdak said that it was a shame what had happened in the town back then. I nodded and agreed, but that everyone ultimately was responsible for their own choices. Cyrdak accepted that, and said that his in-law had also revealed that she was fairly impressed with the way that I handled Titus. I nodded and said that he was wasting the duration of the spell. He nodded and said that she had said that I had said as much. I told him that I hated it when people wasted a very useful resource to push an ego drive.
Cyrdak noted that we had done a couple of good things for this town, and I told him that I didn't intend on stopping anytime soon. I told him that I would have a small gift for every group that was getting married, but that it might only be half as useful for some of the couples. I was going to need him to arrange the distribution to all of the couples. Cyrdak told me that he could do that, but that they would be obviously from my supplies. I told him that I had not thought about that, but that I would look into it.
Cyrdak nodded to that and after a minute of thinking, asked if I was doing all of this to for fun or if I had ulterior motives. I reflected for just as long, to make sure that I would not try to be deluding myself, and answered him that of course I had ulterior motives. I told him that I came from a world where technology and society had gone wrong. I told him that I wanted to bring to life my visions of a future for this town, and perhaps this world, where the positives of my world's technology and the very few positives of its' society were mirrored and enhanced through the natural magic of this place. I told him that one day I might try to figure out what the source of magic was here, and why it was not as present on my home-world. I added that I think that this was the true reason why my deity arranged for me to get here.
He took all of this in and thanked me for my candidness. He asked if I was planning on any other of my surprises for Crystalhue. I told him that I was planning as many as I could, but that as long as I could manage it, I wouldn't make any that were negative or onerous. Cyrdak seemed to accept that and asked if I had any problems with the play. I told him that my role was fairly limited, but that utilizing me as the narrator was a bit of insightful use of my natural tendencies. I added that I know that I can't act worth a damn but using my ability to tell a story to fulfill the role was pretty good. Cyrdak added that if I can pull this role together, the he would look through his other plays for a heavy narrator presence. Most actors that he worked with didn't like the roles because it lacked depth and expression.
I told him that they could have the acting roles, that I didn't mind the exposition. Cyrdak told me that Savah would be more than welcome to join them all in the Balcony while I was performing. I thanked him for that, and said that I would be glad to start for the Toilday performance. Cyrdak told me that he was pushing it back to Fireday, and blaming me for it, but mainly because the people that he was dealing with had not gotten ready and he wanted this to be a three day run, not a two day. I told him that it would be fine, but to please make it as unusual a reason as possible. He told me that he would think of something, with a wink.
We went back to our seats with me saying that he had better get the script this straightened out loud enough for others to hear, or that I might just have to go back to the Dragon. He said that it was fine and that if I couldn't read, I should have just told him. That one kind of hurt a bit, but I accepted it as a needed bit for the "rivalry". Ameiko seemed to wink at us both when we looked to her. I think she knows enough to make it work, and would try to advance the storyline from her end. I think that this would be something that I would have hated from back home, but that the fact that we were doing this to evolve it into hate-gifting might mean a change towards a less destructive place, by pointing out that there are other ways to compete.
Savah held my hand as I came back to the table, and said some words of encouragement, acting her part. Oren asked if I needed him to do anything. I told him that everything was fine, and that this would work itself out. I added that I wouldn't want to distract him from his vital work for the town. Arika looked at me and back to Oren and seemed to soften to him a little. Before we could even get a chance to order, a table order of fondue and ciders were delivered to us. The attendant that delivered them said that they were ordered and paid for by Ameiko. The table looked to her and she smiled and nodded.
The play was about to start, and Cyrdak was down at the stage. He announced, with a speaking cone, that the play that was supposed to start this Toilday would have to be postponed to Fireday due to one of the actors having arranged to perform at Ameiko's Rusty Dragon. The amount of venom that he managed to put into those last three words was impressive by any standards. Ameiko stood and motioned for me to stand as well.
People looked to be waiting for me to speak, so I told the crowd that I would be performing a two-part story. I told them that the first part was the Iliad, the story of a ten-year war, and then the Odyssey, story of Odysseus' decade long journey home from the war. I told them that I would perform the Iliad on Moonday and Toilday, and the Odyssey on Wealday and Oathday. Ameiko smiled and added that she would also be opening up a competition for other forms of performances, for whenever I couldn't be there. Lots of people in the audience clapped and we sat back down. Cyrdak mock-fumed and thanked us for our announcement before announcing that the play would commence shortly.
Savah whispered to me that I hadn't told her about this development. I whispered back that I didn't know that I would be doing it until Ameiko called me out and I needed to make up something. She smiled to me and whispered that this game was going to be fun. I told her that it was going to tap my resources. She said that she hoped that she was going to tap the rest of my resources with a smile.
We looked back to the other two and they seemed to not understand what to do about the fondue. Savah, being a pro at this, gave them all of the rules and the etiquette for it. I took the opportunity to ask if there was a flavor that either one would prefer for their drinks and they seemed confused. Savah said that they should try my Dr. Pepper's. I said that I would try, and asked for both of their bottles. Oren gave me the bottle and Arika followed his lead. I focused on changing the color, temperature, and taste of the liquid inside the bottles. Then I had a bit of a brain-storm and gathered a fair amount of CO2 into the bottles to make them bubbly. I told them that if they didn't like the taste, I could change it back.
Oren tried it and his eyes went wide. He asked me where I had found something like this. I told him that I had run across it a while ago and that since I could make things taste like other things, I can reproduce it now. I told him that if I had known that I would develop this ability, I would have listened to his mother and tried a lot more things, and winked at him. Oren thought for a second and then laughed. He must have picked up on the fact that I still trying to keep the "cousin" bit running.
Arika asked me why I made it bubble like I did. I told her that this was a real part of the drink, and that it made a lot of the difference in the drinking experience. She nodded and seemed to be more willing to try it since Oren seemed to like it a lot. Oren was drinking it down quickly, I'm fairly certain he would have much preferred the original recipe, knowing his background. I got an attendant to get us a second round of drinks while we watched the performance. Savah cuddled up to me and we enjoyed the performance.
We got the drinks, and Oren asked if I could repeat the changes from before. I grabbed his bottle and made the changes. I asked Arika if she wanted the same, and she said that she was okay with the regular bottle. I asked if she would like it cold, and she did agree to that, so I made her drink cool and gave it back to her. Savah whispered something to me and I made the appropriate changes to hers. I made mine taste like Jameson, and sipped on if for the rest of the night.
We all enjoyed the show and stood up to leave. Ameiko came over to talk to us and thanked me for my future performances for the next four nights. I nodded and told her that I was more than happy to share my love of the epics. Ameiko smiled and whispered something to Savah. Savah just smiled and whispered something back to her. Ameiko nodded and turned to leave. I looked at Savah and she just raised an eyebrow at me, without saying anything.
Oren asked if Arika wanted to head to Cracktooth's and Arika replied that she would love to. I got a platinum piece out and went to shake Oren's hand. Savah and me told the both of them that we were going to have to retire, but that we wished them to have a good night. I palmed the coin to Oren and he looked to not want to accept it. I told him that we could talk about it tomorrow morning. He accepted it and agreed that we could catch back up in the morning.
Savah and I left and headed back home. There were no issues with our walk and we got back into the Armory and locked up after us. We made it into our bedroom and got stripped out of our going our gear. Savah asked me if I thought that we were doing a good thing by trying to get Oren hooked up with Arika. I shrugged and said that I really didn't know, but that as long as he had a connection to the town he would work to do his best for the town. Savah noted that we were probably going to run out of money if we kept giving him that much money every day. I nodded and said that I was going to have to find a way just make some more money.
Savah asked if she thought that the town would take trade for the debt that he owed. I told her that I didn't know, but that if we did pay his way, he might be even more inclined to repay and help this town. Also, if we did get him set up to do well, that the town might have another defender in the event of something similar to the Swallowtail raid happening again. Savah nodded and said that it might just be easier to pay off Sheriff Hemlock the same amount every day and let him pay Oren his regular pay. I shrugged and said that we could always discuss it with him later.
Savah helped me finish up my notes, and pointed out which things I should not put in, at her request, to keep them clean enough. I told her that one day I would get her to read through everything, but I wanted to be sure that I had everything to the best of my ability first. She accepted that and we decided to head to bed.