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.

34. Day 30 or just another trial

Day 30: Oathday the 18th Lamashan, 4707

I woke up to Savah already being up and out of the room. Shit, I really hoped that I did not end up messing things up with her. I really didn't want to piss off people that I cared about. I got up and did my morning routine of getting dressed and prestidigitating myself clean. I did a thorough cleaning of the room and tried to think back on anything that I might have been missing when I had been focused on the making the tunics for the town.

I went out of the room and Oren was sitting in the break room with Savah. They were talking about something that they quickly shut up about when the door to the bedroom opened. I nodded to the both of them, and asked Savah what she might need me to do today. Savah just shrugged and got up to head to the Armory. I looked over to Oren and he just shrugged. I figured that I would need to go get lunch for us to start with helping to get things back together.

I went back into the bedroom and got the four suits for the Cathedral order and brought them back out to the breakroom. Oren was grabbing an orange from a bowl that was on the table of the break room and told me that he wished me luck as he walked out to head to work. I thought about heading to the workshop, but I didn't have any required work to get done. I decided that it would be best for me to clean up the whole of the area and do an inventory of the stores in the pantry. We looked to be in good condition for everything, but could probably do with getting another barrel of cider, and maybe just a barrel for some water. Maybe just something with the enchantment that had been placed on my camelback.

After cleaning everything up, I took the suits with me out to The Armory, to try to see if I can do anything else to help. Savah was in there making a sale, and I wisely kept quiet. I did love watching her work. I figured that I would just try to help whenever it might be needed, and if not, I could just clean up the shop and get her food. Maybe later I would get a chance to talk to Savah to explain everything.

I got thru with cleaning up what I could and Savah had just finished the sale. I looked around and saw that the shop was empty except for us. I told Savah that I really had to apologize, that I didn't even think that there might be parallels between the epic of Odysseus and my own story. She stood there listening while I told her that I had been truly honest that I really do feel like this is my home, as long as she is willing to have me here. I told her exactly how I did feel about her, and how I wanted to stay with someone who I felt wanted me.

Savah listened and told me that there were other things going on, but that she didn't think that I had chosen the story because of my own feelings. I asked if it would be best for me to stay in the bedroom or to find a different room to sleep in while we figured out what was happening. Savah came over and hugged me. She told me that it wouldn't be necessary, we just needed to have a discussion later. I told her that the only thing I had planned for today was whenever the council meeting was, so I would be more than willing to talk whenever she was willing. She told me that she had to go talk to Hannah, and I asked if she wanted me to go with her, or if she would like me to mind the store for her. She said that it would be best for me to mind the store, and I told her that I would.

Savah went to go talk to Hannah and I took over minding the shop. It was fairly quiet until the Cathedral crew came in. I had them all try out their new tunics and Father Zantus was most impressed that there was still some cushioning effect. It wasn't as good as it was initially, but it was still more than it was originally. They all seemed to be glad about armor, and I told him that I was thankful for his idea, that I would probably try to incorporate it into further suits of armor that I designed. Father Zantus was appreciative of my thanks and sent the rest of the group back to the Cathedral.

Father Zantus asked me if I had given more thought to his request for me offering up my religious material for him to look over. I told him that I had a book or two more that I would have to copy ahead of that, but that I would make written copies for both my home library and for him to have one as well. I told him that I didn't know how soon I would be able to make it, because other things were happening that could effect that. He asked me if I would be willing to talk to him about it. I looked around for anyone else in the shop, but there wasn't anyone.

I took a deep breath and told him about how I had done something stupid by choosing to do the performance that I had, and how it could be taken to be a corollary for my circumstance. I told him that I had not intended that, but that I could see how it might worry Savah. I told him that I had only picked it because I had thought that I would be able to stretch it out to four nights, so that it would fit the amount of time I was obligated to perform at The Rusty Dragon. I told him that I was worried because Savah was upset and that I had never intended to make her upset. I told him that Savah had agreed to talk about it later.

Father Zantus listened to me patiently and told me that I should listen to what she has to say, but that as long as she was willing to talk, things were not that far gone. I thanked him for his advice. Father Zantus told me that he didn't mind helping like this, and that if I needed to, he could offer to counsel the both of us. I thanked him and said that if it came up, I would ask Savah if she was willing to do that. He nodded and headed out. Another person came in as Father Zantus was leaving and started browsing over the goods.

I didn't really recognize the person, but that didn't mean much since I had only been in town for brief period of time. They looked at some of the daggers and shortswords. They asked what my opinion was about the weapons. I told them that having a dagger was very useful for just about everything, and could be very useful to have on you in case you are grappled, but that having a bit of distance is very important too. I apologized and said that I mainly used a machete, as I pulled it out to show him. He asked if we had anything similar, and I looked around and found one.

He took a couple of swings and said that he liked the weight. He asked me how much it was, and I told him that it was ten gold. I was just guessing there, but I thought that I had heard that a shortsword was about the same and it was only a guess. The guy gave me the sword back and told me that he would think about it and come back. I told him that I hoped he would come back when Savah was here, because she knew a LOT more about what weapons are good for what. He nodded and thanked me for my time before heading out.

I looked around the store and made sure that everything was safe and started copying the Engineering book so that I can get Oren a copy and our own home library one as well. Savah came back after I got the first one done and took back over covering for the shop. I told her that the clerics from the Cathedral had picked up the armors. She nodded and asked if anyone else had dropped by. I told her about the guy who had asked about the daggers and the shortswords. I told her that the customer had asked about what I recommended and I told her that I had told the man that I used a machete. She looked over her stuff and said that she'd like to get something to eat.

I told her that I could go get something for us, or we could go get something. Savah said that she would like to go to Risa's. I told her of course, and that I would go make sure that the rest of the place is locked up. She agreed and said that she would make sure that everything was right with the store. I did a quick check and everything checked out okay. I headed back to the shop and I saw that Savah was done locking up.

We headed thru the town to Risa's and I tried to be close to Savah. She didn't seem to want me to be so I just tried to make sure I wasn't wandering off or glancing at others. We got to Risa's and got a table in the corner. Savah ordered the peppers and wild boar skewers, and I got the sausage, peppers, and onions meal that had been started to be made since I brought it up. We both got ciders and the attendant left to go get our food.

I thanked Savah for being willing to eat with me here. Savah just nodded and we waited in silence for the food and drink to come out. We ate mostly in silence while enjoying the food. I was finishing up my sandwich when Savah asked me if I really wanted to be with her. I looked at her and had no idea what she was thinking. I told her that I did want to be with her, and that I wanted to stay with her. She asked me if I would be willing to give up on heading back to my home world for her. I told her that I had already given up on going back to that world, that there was nothing for me there. She asked me why I had told her that I wanted to take her back to my world then. I told her that I had offered to take her there in case she wanted to see it. I told her that if she didn't want to see that world, it wouldn't really bother me at all to never go back. I mainly just thought that she might like to see it.

Savah thought about it for a minute and asked if I was really okay with starting a family with her. I told her that I had not thought about before she had brought it up, but that I did. I thought that she was a good woman and that even though I had worries about myself being a father, I was willing to try to be the best father that I could be to our future child. She kind of smiled for a second with my answer and said that she was worried about the enemies that I had made here, and that it might cause issues with having a child. I told her that I was willing to do whatever I could to make sure that our future child would be safe. She smiled a bit more and said that we should at least wait until after Lamashan to try for a child, because her time would likely coincide with the "Echidna" holiday of "All-birth".

I told her that I didn't know anything about that holiday, and she told me that Father Zantus could tell me more about it. I told her that I was really glad to be with her, that I hoped that she wanted to be with me. Savah smiled to me and said that she did. I told her that if we needed to wait until after Crystalhue to try, I would be fine with it. Savah laughed a little and said that she had talked with Hannah about this and that Hannah had suggested that we wait at least until next month. I told her that I had some books that I was planning on transferring from my tablet to her, that I had downloaded back when my wife was pregnant.

Savah thanked me for the thought, but told me that she figured that Hannah would know as much as the books had. I told her that I would make two copies, one for us and one for Hannah. She could look through the book to see what works here and what doesn't. I told Savah that she could probably use the first aid book that I had given to the Academy, Chask, and that we had in the Library anyway. I told her that it would be good to get a second opinion from someone whose knowledge was more based in this world than mine. Savah agreed to that and we finished our meal. I paid the attendant three gold and got two orders to go of the spiced potatoes that Risa's was famous for.

We walked back to the Armory in a much better situation than the situation we were in when we left to walk to Risa's. Savah was much closer to me and asked me again if I really didn't realize that she might think that Odysseus was a stand in for me. I told her that I really didn't, and that if I had realized it, I definitely wouldn't have used that one. I told her that it was a classic back where I was from, but that doesn't excuse my lack of common sense. Savah smiled and laughed at that. We made it back and the guy from before was outside the door. Savah unlocked the door and we all flooded in. The customer made a beeline for the machete and pulled out a platinum coin and handed it to Savah.

She looked at the machete, at the man, at me and at the coin. She nodded and cautioned him to not cut himself with it. He accepted that and went off. We both shrugged and took up our places in the store. I sat down and finished making the Engineering book copies. Savah would come over from time to time to check on me. When she did, I would stop copying and we would talk a bit before she would go back to help another customer and I would start up the process again.

I had just finished our house Library copy when Sheriff Hemlock came in the door. He had a somewhat unpleasant look on his face. He wasn't wearing the tunic that I had made, so I asked him if there was anything wrong with it. He shook his head and said that I was being summoned to the council meeting. I asked Savah if she wanted to stay with the shop or head with me. She said that she had made enough profit today, so she would be fine with locking up. Sheriff Hemlock said that he didn't think that she would be allowed in. I asked if the council regularly separated couples for these proceedings.

Sheriff Hemlock just shook his head and said that we could both go, but that she might be forced to leave the proceedings. I told him that I would have thought that if I had any negative things, Titus Scarnetti would want her to know the evil that I was considering so that she would kick me out. I looked to Savah, and she said that if I was looking to do evil, that she would kick me out of the house myself. I smiled and told him that Titus could only love getting me out of town, and if the matter of the tunics came up, it would be better if the person who made the deal was there to answer any questions. Sheriff Hemlock just shrugged and we locked up and headed out to the Town Hall.

When we got there, Sheriff Hemlock asked me to disarm, and I did so. I asked him if he had a locker for me to place my things in, and he showed me to one. I put my armor, gear, and everything in the locker, and Rip was there guarding the locker room. We nodded and he made a head movement towards the guard's communal locker indicating that all of the tunics were in there. Savah put her arms and armor in a locker next to mine and we were escorted up to the room where the hearing would occur. The council was already there when we arrived and made to wrap up the other business that they were discussing.

Hayliss, who was there to apparently make sure that I didn't lie, made to apologize and I told her that there was no need. Ameiko and Mayor Deverin looked a bit upset, as did Father Zantus and Ilsoari. Kaye Tesarani looked fairly neutral as did Ethram. Titus looked a bit unhinged when he saw me. I guess I was really working under his skin I guess. I was silent as I waited to be summoned up to the lectern to be grilled. I was certain that he had practiced to be ready for this day, so I figured that just waiting and not showing that I was worried would vex him more and more.

Eventually, the other matters were dealt with, and all of the unnecessary people were escorted out. I was summoned up to lectern and hugged Savah as I got up and headed to the lectern. Sheriff Hemlock came forward and had the gauntlet cuffs to place on me. I shrugged and put my hands forward for him to place them on me. Another guard, Quera, came in and held a sword to my throat. Sheriff Hemlock did the same and whispered sorry to me. I asked the council if this was for the safety of all involved or if this was a guarantee of me not doing anything.

Father Zantus seemed regretful when said that this was for the council's safety. I told them all that I can appreciate the desire to be safe, and asked if they would all feel better if I was lashed to a chair or a flat board, because I would be willing for both if it made them feel safer. Father Zantus looked to the rest of the council and they all kind of shrugged, even Titus. Sheriff Hemlock send Quera to go get a chair and more restraints while I just waited. I hummed to myself a bit and Titus asked me what I was doing. I told him that there was a melody that quite popular from where I was from that people would sing when they were waiting for something to happen. Ameiko looked to the others and asked me if I could explain it.

I thought back and told them that the song is about a person sitting on a dock, watching life go on around them. I went on to tell them that the singer said that they left their home because they had nothing going for them there and they had travelled two thousand miles to try to get something going on with their life, but discovered that nothing had changed. I told them that I might be able to remember the exact lines if they wanted, but it would probably take too much of their valuable time. Just then Quera came back with the chair, and some leather straps. I waited for it to be placed behind me, and when told to do so, sat down.

Sheriff Hemlock held the sword to my neck while Quera made sure that I was bound tight. I just waited and smiled, figuring that they wouldn't kill me if I didn't make any sudden moves. Once they were done, I asked if they would like to make sure that there was someone keeping focus on me with a detect magic spell to make sure that I wasn't trying to cast anything. Titus looked a little confused by that, but nodded to Ilsoari. He cast his spell and told everyone that I did not have any current magical auras about me. It had been since this morning that I had invoked my prestidigitation power, so that was the only one I was worried about.

Hayliss came up to me and apologized again before touching me to use the touch of truth-telling spell on me. I looked like a bound Einherjar in the chair for a second, and Ilsoari confirmed that the spell had taken effect. I told everyone, with a prompt, that I would try to answer truthfully without violating any promises I had made to anyone here or elsewhere. Ameiko said that the council would keep that in mind. Titus asked me where I was from. I repeated to him what I had told him the first time, and stopped. He shook his head.

Titus asked what I did back then. I told everyone that I was a manager for people who were tasked with repairing the equipment for a large bakery. He asked me to explain that, and I told them all that the bakery I worked at produced large amounts of break, more in one day, on one line, than I had seen made in this town since I got here, and there were seven lines in that facility. He shook his head again. He asked me why I left my home world. I told him that I did not intend to leave my old world when I did. I told them that I was driven off the road I was travelling on by an equipment malfunction, and that when I had seen a name for a building on a sign that was the same as a fake surname that I had used over a decade ago. Titus smiled and asked why I had used a fake surname. I said that I used the identity on worldwide network where evil people resided and could track you down to do harm to you if you upset them.

Titus asked why I was on that dangerous network. I told the group that the world had progressed where being on that network was a requirement for life. I added that when I first got on the network, I was a child, and the false identity was a good way to have a degree of disassociation from the activities on that network. Titus asked me if I had ever done anything illegal on that network. I smiled and said that I definitely had. He ordered me to explain what it was. I told everyone that in my world, the sharing of information like recorded songs or books was considered illegal, that if someone took a book from their library, and let anyone who wanted to copy it, they would be breaking the law. I told everyone that I had participated in that by recording those items. Ameiko asked if it was against the law to record those items. I told her that it was indeed against the law, but it was a law that very few people considered good or useful.

Ameiko asked why the law came into existence. I told the council that on my old world, groups of people bought the "rights" for things like books and songs, and so that they could continue to make money, they convinced the people in charge of my government to pass those laws, by bribing them. Titus cleared his throat and asked if by copying these books and songs I prevented the company from making money off of them. I told him that for many of them, I had bought a copy as well as made a copy. He asked me why I would do that, and I said that it was useful to have multiple copies of items sometimes.

Titus was confused with that and Ilsoari asked me if any of the books that I had provided to the Academy were among these books that I had copied. I told the council that from my recollection, I had gotten some of the books that I had made copies for him from a collection of books that I had paid for from another person, but that some of them had been from books that I had gotten from people on that network. Ilsoari asked if I had ever been the one to share the media on that network. I said that I didn't remember if any of the things that I had ever put up had been copied, but that I had only put things up for distribution that I had previously gotten off the network.

Father Zantus asked me if the society was accepting of people who had done this. I told them all that generally, people didn't care about the sharing of these kinds of things, as it was only the most rigid of thinkers that followed the thoughts that the company was really suffering from this, especially when they themselves shared the things in different locations. Titus stopped me at that, and asked me if I was really saying that the companies were actually providing these things for free in other locations. I added that yes, in fact, they were, they played the songs for anyone who was listening, and you could make recordings while they were doing that, and that they provided the books to libraries where people had access to copy them as they desired.

Kaye asked me if I was basically saying that the company's only complaint was that basically people were getting the books and songs at times where they didn't want them to do so. I answered to the affirmative and said that with that kind of confusion, it was no wonder why most people looked at this like a victimless crime. Kaye asked me what I meant by a victimless crime. I told them all that certain transactions that were completely legal here were outlawed back where I was from, and that people could not perform those transactions without the government stepping in and attacking and jailing them for doing something that the people were both okay with.

Kaye asked me what kinds of transactions were illegal where I was from. I told her that among the victimless crimes were the selling of certain types of produce and dairy between two people, the trading of weapons without a background check ran by the government between two people, and prostitution among others. Kaye seemed especially irked by that answer while Titus seemed to be happy. Ethram who had been silent until now, asked me if I felt that these were just laws. I told him that along my moral philosophy, these were not actually valid laws. I added that under my moral philosophy, consenting adults could make any arrangements they wanted to, so long as they were not engaging in violence against others. I added that another aspect of my philosophy was that information sought to be free, that it was only by people sharing information that society advanced for the better.

The spell wore off as soon as I had finished my last sentence and the council started discussing some things between themselves. Titus was doubtlessly trying to figure out a way for me to be punished or banished for breaking the laws in my old world. I had no idea what Ethram thought but I gave Ameiko a maybe fifty/fifty chance of either being against me or supporting me. Artists were very iffy about people sharing their art and she might fall down on Titus' side. Sheriff Hemlock was looking at me in a different light, I could tell that at least. I couldn't see Savah from where I was, but I hoped that she didn't think less of me for all of this. Honestly, being kicked out of town because I was an Internet Pirate was not something that I ever expected to happen. Maybe if I ever did end up back in my old world, I could do a spot for those terrible anti-piracy law adds.

Father Zantus nodded to Hayliss and she walked over to cast her spell again. I again looked like a bound winged Einherjar, and Ilsoari started with the question. He asked me if I had ever made profit on any of the books or media that I had made copies of. I told him that in a most strict sense, that yes I had. I added that I had never made a profit back on my old world from it, but that since I came here, I have traded copies of the knowledge that I had brought with me for blank books to make copies of it in, with an intent of making two copies of the books, one for the person who asked for it, and one for a family library where I am staying.

Ilsoari asked me if I had ever received direct monetary compensation for making the copies. I told him that I had never accepted any kind of monetary compensation, in fact, I had only ever accepted what people would give me in the form of blank books so that I can pass along more information that could be useful. Ilsoari asked me if what books I had gotten via illicit means that I had given to the Academy. I told the council that the only books that I had given to the Academy through illicit means were the young childhood learning books. I added that they were available in the schools that children would access for free back where I was from, but that I did not make copies from them when I was in those classes. Ilsoari asked me if the point that I was getting to was that the main gripe that these companies had was that it was too easy to share the copies and thus prevented them from getting the money.

I responded back to him that from what I could tell, the companies were panicking for no reason, because it was found through various studies that people that would have spent the money on those items, would continue to spend the money on those things in other ways that would benefit the companies, and that in the case of music, people would be more likely to go to the concerts provided by the musicians, and that the people would spend more on the various merchandise that the musicians would have for sale, resulting in even more money to the creators of the song. Ameiko seemed to be a bit mollified with that answer.

Titus was a bit annoyed when he asked me if I could sum up my illegal activities in that network, and I told him that I would sum it up as being too efficient in what I wanted to do, and that if I wanted to do things completely legally, it would have just meant going to a free library and making the copies myself. Ethram asked me if it could be accurate to view my actions as similar to a scavenger finding valuable things that people had left out for anyone to take. I noted that this wasn't exactly accurate, as the people offering them up didn't lose the items that they gave out. I noted that it would be more like people growing an apple tree and putting a sign on it that said free to take. And then the company who sold them farmer the initial seed was upset because they thought that people wouldn't buy apples from them.

Ethram nodded to that and Titus looked a little annoyed. Thinking quick he asked how I was making these copies so quickly. I told him that I had developed a few powers since arriving on this world that I did not have back on my old world that I could only describe as magical. Ilsoari asked me if I knew what the source of these powers were from. I told the council that this was only speculation, but I believed that the evidence had pointed out that my deity had given them to me for doing good deeds here. I added that I had an associate of mine had studied the powers and that they had told me that they were not demonic or devilish in nature, they did not seem to be divine in nature, but there wasn't a good way to explain them other than that my deity could have influenced them, being that he is a deity of magic.

Titus asked me what the name of my deity was, and I told him that I was not at liberty to say. This upset him, and he demanded to know. I told him that due to the consequences from the ending of the threat on Sandpoint, certain unnamed enemies had been made that would mean danger if the name of my deity was revealed. Father Zantus spoke up and said that this had already been discussed and that the council had been privately made aware of the reason for this. Titus asked if I could say how these enemies were, and Father Zantus said that this can be discussed later as well.

Ilsoari broke up the stalemate by asking what the powers that I had developed were. I told Ilsoari that as far as I could tell, again, from what the experiments that were conducted with the previously referenced associate showed, were the arcane cantrips Mending, Prestidigitation, and Scrivener's Touch, and that was all. Father Zantus asked Ilsoari if he was aware of any offensive uses of these abilities. Ilsoari noted that they did not have any capability on their own. Father Zantus asked me what I had primarily been using the powers that I had gained to do. I told the council that I used the Scrivener's Touch ability to transfer the books that I had from my source to regular book format, that I used the Prestidigitation power to clean things up, and to alter the flavor of things and to change things to show people some culinary things from my old world that a lot of people have taken to. I added that I would be more than willing to show some of the things, after the questioning was over.

Titus asked me if that was because I was planning something heinous. I told him that I just didn't want to waste the spell's duration since the town was paying Hayliss per spell. I could see out of the corner of my eye that she smiled at that. Titus was a bit annoyed and changed up the focus. He asked me if I had ever had contact with an extraplanar entity. I told them that yes, one three occasions, as far as I know. I continued with telling them that I had encountered a Vargouille, that had tried to inflict upon me a horrendous disease. I told them that the second encounter was with a Quasit that was in a temple dedicated to an evil entity that I aided in killing, and the third was the horse sized Barghest that I helped to kill that has its skin gracing the floor of the newest tavern in town.

Titus asked if I had ever made peaceful contact with an extraplanar entity. I tried to say no, but couldn't speak. I asked him if having a Wizard cast a spell to contact a deity counted? Titus said that it wasn't my place to ask him questions, but Ilsoari said that it did, but that it was an expensive spell to cast. I said that I had spent something close to five hundred gold pieces to have it cast when we were in Magnimar. Titus was annoyed and asked if there were any other contacts that I had known of. I told him that I didn't know of any.

Titus was pissed. I could tell. Ethram asked me if I had any plans for this town. I told them that I had a great many plans for this town, but nothing that would hurt the town or cause it to be harmed. I added that I knew that there were some things from my old world that I did not want to repeat here, but that there were somethings that I had tried to help get started that would help decrease acrimony in the town already. Ethram asked me if I could tell him of any of the things that I had a part in that would show what I meant. I told him that a good example that I could provide was the deal that I had worked out behind the scenes with Gorvi and how he would be reducing the amount of material that was dumped off of Junker's edge.

Ilsoari noted that he had figured that Gorvi did not come up on this idea himself. Ethram asked me if this was something that was present in my home world. I told them that recycling was a development that had really taken hold forty or so years before I was born, but that it was really starting to take hold as I left. I noted that we had a large amount of space that had been dedicated to landfills, and that by increasing how much we recycled, we could reduce the amount of material that was sent to those landfills. Ethram nodded and asked if I could provide another example. I noted that I had made no moves towards another plan, beyond only asking questions and trying to see what there was in the way of resources, but I was trying to get indoor plumbing and a fire-main system to help in the reduction in amount of damage that the town would suffer from further fires.

And with that the spell ended. Ethram asked me what I meant, and I cautioned him that I would answer, but that the spell had ended, so he should take my answer with a grain of salt, unless they wanted to have Hayliss cast the spell again. Titus looked annoyed with me bringing that up. Ethram said that we can hold off on that until the end. I accepted that and said that the basic idea behind indoor plumbing is that water would be accessible whenever the inhabitants needed or desired it. I added that the system also removed what was known as grey water to a central sewer system where it could be treated. I added that with the ability of magic to purify things, the sewer system would be even more efficient.

Ethram asked why I made a big deal about magic, and I told him that there was no magic evident where I was from. I added that it wasn't obvious that deities answered prayers there either. Ethram asked what we did for wounds or sicknesses. I told him that we had spent a long time trying to determine the source of illnesses, and in doing so developed a lot of techniques and theories about how disease travels and other things. One of the biggest things we had learned was that simply washing your hands frequently can decrease the amount of illnesses that a person might be subjected to.

Ethram asked if I had any examples of the science from my home world, and I told him that I had provided a sample science book to the Turandarok Academy. I added that the book that I provided only contained the lowest levels of science studies, and it should be fairly uncontroversial. Ilsoari said that he would provide the book to Ethram if he desired to read it. I added that I had also provided a book on first aid to the Academy, since he had children there and children are much more likely to get hurt than adults. He nodded and said that if things don't go bad here, that he would like to talk to me about something later. I nodded and asked if anyone else had any other questions that I should answer before Hayliss casts her spell again.

They looked at each other and no one had any questions before Hayliss cast her spell again. Again, I momentarily took the appearance of a winged bound Einherjar, and the questioning began in earnest. Titus asked me quickly if I was planning on pursuing any career in the politics of this town. I told him that I personally hated it when an outsider came into a place and ordered people to change how they did things. I added that I had experienced that a lot back on my old world and that I didn't want to inflict that upon them here. Titus followed that up with asking me why I was doing what I was doing if I believed that. I told the council that the main difference is that I was not trying to force people to do things. I tried to make sure that any changes that I proposed were mutually beneficial, and if someone didn't want to do something, I would never force them.

Mayor Deverin had been really quiet for most of this, allowing Titus to take the reins of the investigation for the most part, but now she had a question. She asked me if I had any intention of leaving Sandpoint to live elsewhere. I told the council that my intention was to stay in Sandpoint, but to eventually make it so that a trip between Sandpoint and Magnimar might only take three hours to travel, the same with Windsong Abbey. Titus accused me of bullshitting, and I told him that where I was from I would drive the distance between Sandpoint and Magnimar twice a day in the vehicle that I had arrived to this world in.

Ilsoari asked how it could be if magic wasn't involved. I told him that we had harnessed the rules of physics to convert explosive force into rotational energy, but that I wasn't focusing on that for what I was thinking about for this world. Ethram asked how I was planning on doing this if I wasn't going to use the technology from my home world. I noted that I would be using technology from my world, it would just be a little outdated, because it was cleaner by far. Ethram asked me what I meant, and I explained that on my old world the method we eventually developed meant burning chemicals that could cause problems in the environment. I added that I would be using steam to make the horseless carriages move.

Ilsoari noted that this could be done with magic as well, and I told him that once I got the design down and the components sourced, any relatively intelligent person could make what I was intending on making, and just about anyone should be able to learn how to drive it. I added that I was also looking at making horseless wagons to make transporting goods quicker, and eventually aircraft to give the people more options for travel.

Mayor Deverin asked me what changes I would propose immediately if I could propose anything. I told the council that I would take the benefit that the town had in "The Old Tower" and turn it into a massive water tank. I added that then I would run piping throughout the town to what were termed hydrants where I was from to allow for people to get access to the water for firefighting and safety purposes. I added that with the help of Jonathan, we could fill the tank up quickly and even the lines after. I added that then I would consider working on the public's indoor plumbing. I added that by adding indoor plumbing, we would be further decreasing the amount of waste that goes over Junker's Edge.

Titus asked how we could pay for that, and I said that it was an issue with this goal, but I asked in response how much it cost to rebuild after a particularly bad fire. But, to focus on how it would be paid for, maybe a one-time tax or failing that, a grant from a person who wanted to improve the town. Honestly, I added that once I figured out how to do it cheaply, I was planning on doing it myself at my own cost.

Ethram asked me if there was anything else that I was considering. I told the council that I was proposing a system to make call boxes for the town to go to the Town Garrison, so that a person could call up when they saw something dangerous. When the call was made, further guards could be sent if the situation warranted, or maybe Father Zantus could be made aware of someone who was hurt and meet the people on the way to make sure that someone could more likely be saved.

Ethram asked me how I might do that, and I told him that when I served with my old world's navy, we had a system of communication that relied on sound waves and copper wiring that could be made to work here as well. Titus perked up and asked me what I had done when I was in the military. I noted that I was a person who maintained the steam power plant on board the ship to provide power to places and keep the ship moving. It was true, but it was hardly a full explanation. Titus asked if I had ever killed someone. I noted that my position did not involve me being in conflict with people while I was in the military, and that no one had died by my hands.

Ameiko asked if anyone had died because of me. I told her and the council that I was responsible for the killing of several goblins, and that I felt responsible for the people that were killed when we confronted the people responsible for the Swallowtail raid. Kaye asked if I had ever directly killed anyone other than monsters. I said that I had killed goblins, aberrations, undead, and animals. Other than that, I had killed nothing here or on my old world. Father Zantus asked if I had any plans to kill anyone in town. I told him that the only thing I intended to kill in this town was several shots of Cracktooth's rum when this day was done.

Ameiko stifled a laugh at that, and Kaye explained to the less adventurous members of the council that killing a shot means to drink it down fast. Titus asked if I had any plans for any more chaos in this town. I asked if I could have a council member leave because it involved them. Titus was about to say no when Ameiko asked me who it was that would be involved. I looked right at her and told her that it was her. She nodded and got up and said that she would be back once the door was knocked on from this side. She made her way to the door and left.

Titus asked me what chaos I was planning. I told him that while I appreciated the competition that the town had experienced at the Swallowtail festival, I was planning on getting everyone to participate in the Crystalhue ceremony that I could. I had retained Ameiko to cater part of it, and gotten Cracktooth, Garridan, Alma, Gaven, Jargie, and Risa to supply different parts of the meal as well. In addition, I was trying to get as many people as I could to take their vows on this day, and that I had arranged for a high ranking Abadar Priest from Magnimar to come for the ceremony.

Father Zantus' jaw dropped with that, including Ethram and Mayor Deverin's. They were not privy to that little detail. I added that if I needed to head to Magnimar anytime soon, I would be looking to do even more, in that I really loved this town and wanted it to put its' best foot forward to show the rest of the world how great it can be. Everyone was a bit speechless with that, but Titus recovered and asked who all were taking their vows on that date. I told him that I did not have a full list at this point, and that even if I did, I would not be at liberty to discuss other people's personal details. I did note that Savah and I would be.

Mayor Deverin asked me if I was planning on any other massive ceremonies, and I told her that I currently was not, but that if I did end up having an event that was worthy of celebration, I would certainly try to make the ceremony proportional to the event. I noted that the spell had ended to everyone and they all sat there in silence for a few minutes. Ameiko actually snapping people out of it by knocking on the other side of the door. Quera got up to let her in and she saw that everyone was a bit dumbfounded. She looked at me and saw the smile on my face and said that I would probably regret whatever I was planning. Titus spoke up and said that he could agree with her statement.

Ameiko sat down at the council table and noticed that everyone else was silent. She asked what it was that I had said that caused everyone to react like that. Father Zantus told her that it was too big. Too big to say. He said that he had a lot to think about after that. Kaye was smiling and said that she could only hope to appreciate the amount of chaos that I was looking to inflict upon this town, but in a good way. Ilsoari noted that it would be something to definitely write about. Even Ethram got in on it and said that she would probably laugh about it after the fact.

I asked if we were going to have Hayliss cast her spell again when I heard her breakdown laughing. Titus noted that he thought that we had enough truth from me for one day, and told Sheriff Hemlock that I could be released from my bindings. I looked to him expectantly, and he just shook his head. Quera looked to her superior and he motioned for her to start undoing the straps. After they were done, they took off the caster-cuffs and I stood up. I asked everyone if they wanted to try anything from my old world and Titus of all people started laughing. He dismissed me and I turned around to see Savah barely containing laughter.

We walked out of the council meeting room and down to the lockers. When we got to the lockers, Rip was there and wearing the tunic now. He noted that this was much lighter than the chain shirt that he was used to, and that he would have to find more armor to add to it. I noted that Savah had some arm bracers that would work well with it. She smiled and said that they were formerly mine, and that they were Masterwork, so they should even impact any sports that Rip wanted to participate in while wearing the armor. He nodded and said that he would think about it. He asked if we were still on for drinks later, and Savah said that she was more than willing after what she had just witnessed.

Rip asked if she could tell him anything and she noted that I had made Titus laugh. He looked puzzled as we left. Savah asked me if it was my goal to just inflict chaos everywhere I went. I told her that it was not in fact that. I told her that it was my goal to make things better. If that meant shaking things up, so be it. Oren was outside the Armory when we got back. He asked us how it went, and Savah said that she didn't think that the counsel would be looking for me to testify any time soon. I added at least not under oath. Oren looked puzzled and Savah told him to just listen around for any rumors over the next few weeks.

I had finished up the Engineering book copies earlier, so I could return the original book to Chask and maybe get a few more blank books. I pulled up Jackson Crawford's Poetic Edda and started transferring it into print format. It took three hours, but I got two copies, one for me and one for Father Zantus. Savah would watch over me and would stroke my hair from time to time. I smiled up to her and told her that I was so glad that I had someone like her to be with me.

Savah noted that she was glad that she had connected with me as well, and that she had made the moves that she did. I noted that she certainly knew what she wanted and moved towards it without pause. She smiled and asked me if I would have liked it if she didn't. I told her that I liked her the way she was. I had just finished the second copy of the Poetic Edda when Rip knocked at the Armory door. He asked if we were still willing to go out for drinks. Savah nodded and went to go get Oren. He noted that he wanted to spend the night with this Engineering book. I wished him good luck and that if he needed anything else, just let me know. Rip, Savah, and myself all left to head to Cracktooth's. We stopped by The Curious Goblin and knocked. Chask opened up his door and I handed him the original Engineering book. He looked it over and asked me to drop by tomorrow to discuss things further.

We got to Cracktooth's Tavern and he welcomed us and motioned for us to approach the bar. He told us that Jonathan and Shayliss were at a table, and that if we wanted we could join them. I said that Rip had some questions for me, that would be best answered in private, but that I would love to visit Jonathan and buy him a drink. Cracktooth nodded and had an attendant lead us to the table that Jonathan and Shayliss were seated at. Katrine and Banny were there with them. I approached them and gave greetings to everyone. Banny asked if it was true that I had gotten Titus to laugh. Savah noted that it was, and that truth was the reason why Titus was laughing.

Banny shook his head and noted that Titus had actually dropped by the Mill after the hearing and said that he doubted that I would last a year in this town, but that once I was done the town would be clamoring for his leadership. I said that it was possible, but that I thought that it might go another way. Banny said that his boss was frequently overstating his position in the town and that he figured that the current Mayor was fairly safe. I said that we would have to see what happened. I told Jonathan that I had tried his burgers and that they were excellent. He thanked me and said that people were starting to really come in to try them. I told him that he could probably branch in to chili if he wanted to add a soup type meal.

He said that he would think about it, and said that he would love to have me give him other ideas. I told him that I would try to drop by sometime before I had to perform for Cyrdak. Jonathan wished us well, and we walked over to a table that our attendant had set up for us. I order us each three shots of the rum and the attendant went to go get them. Rip asked me if the people that followed the culture where I was from were warriors anymore. I told him that he might be a bit upset when he hears of what happened to the Northern Folks from where I was from, so he should probably drink first.

We all took some shots, and I told him the story of how a Christianity had used torture, economic warfare, and bribery to expand and displace the faiths of the people who were in the land before them. I told him that there was nothing that he could do about this, but it was indirectly due to that same faith that the legends of those Northern Peoples had survived until a group of people decided to revive their ways. Rip asked me what the battles were like where I was from. I told him that he should probably take that second shot. We all did, and I told him that war wasn't honorable where I was from anymore, that people fought from distances far enough to not even be able to recognize who they were fighting against. I added that the only times where fighting was honorable was when it was competition fighting, which was starting to make a comeback where I was from.

Rip asked me what kinds of weapons the competitions used. I told him that it was almost entirely bare handed or gloved boxing, but there were some armored competitions if you knew where to look. He asked me if there was anywhere in my country where the old ways held firm. I told him that it was a lost cause, but that he should take heart that his country is still strong. Rip said the reason why he asked to hear about where I was from is that he was banished from his home country and wanted to hear of a place that seemed similar. I told him that the only place similar to his home that was left was is home. I told him that I could make the last shot of rum taste like mead, but it would just be a faint copy. I added that whatever reason he was banished, if he could overcome it, he should try to do so. If only to be with whatever family members he has left.

Rip hung his head and said that he didn't think he would be welcomed home. I told him that the only way he would know is to try. I added that once I have gotten the kinks worked out on my vehicle design, it will be much quicker for him to get there and back. Rip looked up curiously, and Savah looked at me as well. I told them both that I would need to look into getting more things back at Magnimar, and that they would be costlier than a base carriage, but probably run the same if you included the horses and everything. At least for the base model. Savah asked if she could help get the stuff. I told her that I would definitely be leaning on her to find the stuff in Magnimar. She knew a lot more than me about what was in Magnimar.

Rip said that he would hold me to that. I said that once I figured out the how to make things cheaper, I would probably try to set up a manufacturing facility here in Sandpoint. I pulled out my tablet and showed them both designs, the buggy and the original design of the velocipede. I told them that I would be modifying both to account for the lack of roads, but that I figured that I could make it so that you could get to the city of Magnimar in under three hours with the buggy, and if the math holds true, two hours with the velocipede.

Rip asked what kind of sorcery it was, and I told him that it wasn't exactly sorcery, it was a mix. It wouldn't be as efficient without the magical aspects, but the science was still the same, and the magic would reduce any kind of damaging effects to the environment. Rip looked confused and Savah just told him to go with it, that I was a bit confusing at time but that things tended to work out in the end. I nodded and said that it was only because she trusted me that the armor came to be. He said that he had been cautioned by Lance that the armor can be a bit abrasive. I laughed and said that it definitely was, that the material was also used to grind down other materials and destroy rotating equipment when used as a powder, as well as being used as armor material.

Rip seemed appreciative of what went into the armor, and Savah just looked at me like we had been through this conversation too many times with people. I told her that I had a grand plan, and that she was definitely central to my plan, but that it only just seemed like it was chaos. She smirked and said that she had no doubts that I had plans for everything. Rip asked what kinds of mead I had tried. I smiled and motioned for the attendant. I whispered something to the attendant and they looked back at me. I nodded and they went off.

The attendant came back with three dozen understudies. I took them in groups of three and changed them into types of meads that I had had in the past, in order. Chaucer's, Heathrun, Lurgashall Yule Mead, Viking Blood, Klapojster, Blacksnake Summer Mead, Redstone, Bunratty, Dansk Mjod with Ginger, Helderberg, Honeyrun Ragnar's Run, and that homemade mead that I had back a long time ago. I told them all that these were among the different types of mead that I had tried. They all tried them in sequence and declared which they liked. Rip liked the Ragnar's Run, while Savah said that she preferred the Heathrun. I thanked them both for trying them. Rip noted that he had a shift early in the morning tomorrow, and that he had to head out.

Savah and I also decided that we should retire. We all headed out of Cracktooth's and split off. Savah and I headed back to the Armory and got home without issue. She wasn't feeling well after all of the cheap whiskey, so she headed to bed. I stayed up and got my tablet out. I needed to write down all of the events of the day. She went to bed and I had some water from my hydration pouch. I took stock of the things in my emergency bag. I'm down to fifteen days of caffeine pills; I'm going to have to either start drinking coffee or find a tea that is sufficiently caffeinated for my needs. Oren came out during my journaling in the break room and asked if he could see what I was doing. I showed him how I was typing my journal up and how I was keeping records of everything. He asked me why I was doing it like this, and I told him that I would be filling several physical books if I hand wrote everything out. He nodded, and went back to his room to read.

I finished up on the journal and started to tweak my designs for the roadster and the velocipede. If my calculations were correct, I might be able to make it once I gather up the components. It will take a fair amount of time, unfortunately. I think that I can make the frame out of the canvas -B4C after all. I mean that I can get a whole bunch of the canvas for cheap, and I could get ahold of some wood framing to mock it up to wrapping it with the canvas material, if that works anyway. I think that's about all I can figure out today. Need to do those experiments tomorrow and study for the performance.