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.

68. Day 64 or Haughty Elf Princess

Day 64: Wealday the 21st, Neth, 4707

The day crept up on me, with me noticing Savah getting up to get out of bed. I watched her get dressed and head out the door to the kitchen/pantry/common area. I got up to get dressed and Bailey looked a little confused at me. I was half way through when Savah was coming back in with breakfast. We got back in bed and enjoyed a slower start to the day. Eventually, we both got up and started out day. Savah went to the shop and opened up for business while I headed to the workshop.

When I came in, Veronica informed me that she had completed the necessary wiring for the generator, but that we did not have the materials needed to make more of the steam engines without a trip to Magnimar. I conferred with her that we would be heading to Magnimar in a few days, but that I would have a list of tasks for her to do while I was gone, so as to get ready for everything that we needed to do to get the builds done. Veronica accepted that and asked what the priority was for today. I told her that Shalelu would be dropping by later to get her armor updated. Veronica accepted that and made to get ready for the day.

It wasn't all that long before I heard the hum of two bikes coming into the area. It's amazing how quite things are when you don't have all of the background noise that I am formerly used to. It wasn't very long until the door to the workshop opened up and four people came in. Savah led the way, of course, followed by Shalelu, then Faunra, then an elf that I had never met. Savah smiled and told me to not have too much fun before excusing herself to head back to the store.

Faunra and Shalelu introduced the elf, a sorceress by the name of Eviana Nirgassan, who was also the leader of an Elven village up north, as they entered. Shalelu removed her armor and I set about getting Veronica and myself on it to get it updated as quickly as possible. While Veronica and I worked, Eviana asked some specific questions about the material the armor was made from and how it came to be. I looked at both Faunra and Shalelu before telling Eviana that the material was something from my home-world, and that the material was made from ingredients found in nature.

Eviana seemed a bit taken aback by the briskness and mentioned such to Shalelu in the tongue of the Elves. Without looking up from the work I told her, that it was considered very rude to talk about someone behind their back in a language that you expected them to not know, in perfectly fluent Elvish. Eviana asked me where I learned to speak their tongue like that, as what I said was peppered with ancient uses of words that, while correct, were much older vernacular than the current language. I told her that I had learned the language from someone who needed something from me, so we traded. I added that if someone seeks an item or knowledge from another person, the best thing to do is to come at it politely and with the intention of offering something in trade.

Eviana was apparently stunned for a second, while I could swear I heard Faunra chuckle. Eviana asked me if I thought that I could stand up to a sorceress of her capability. I told her that I didn't really have a wish to fight her, but the last opponent that I had to fight on my own was a flying elven sorcerer, and I'm still here. Eviana started to get heated and Faunra spoke up to break up the issue. Faunra told me that Eviana wasn't trying to steal the techniques of the material from me, that she was just trying to figure out a way to help her people in the fight against some evil elves who had taken over her people's city. I got up and left Veronica working on the modifications, and turned to Eviana.

I told Eviana in Elvish, that if she had come to me in good faith, through Faunra and Shalelu, with this urgent request, I would have gladly helped her. I continued with telling her that I had currently had an outstanding order for a different technology from the Lord-Mayor of Magnimar. I added with the fact that I had a lot of other orders for different technology and other armor orders currently, so I will have to put her help requests in place after those standing orders that I have. Eviana looked a bit miffed, but Faunra told her that this wasn't me being disrespectful or anything, but that I had committed to these orders prior to this, and that I could only work on so much a day.

Eviana seemed to be a bit defused by Faunra's comments, and asked what timeframe I could offer for my ability to start work on making the armor for the people of her town. I asked her how many suits of armor she would need to be made. Eviana said that it would take roughly seven hundred suits of armor. My jaw dropped. I told her that I did not have the facilities to make seven hundred suits of armor in any reasonable amount of time. Eviana asked me how long it would take. I told her that I could make at most, a suit of armor every two days, between all of the different components. Three days if she wants the full upgrade that our current suits have now.

Eviana asked if there was any way to decrease the amount of time that it would take. I noted that it would require time to look into getting further resources and tools that I need to make the armor faster. I did caution Eviana that I could still get the armors completed, while doing so, but that it would reduce the armoring rate to one suit every five days. Eviana did some calculations, and noted that it would take the better part of a decade to get everyone suited. I nodded and noted that I was also under task to open up a school and that this would eat into that. Eviana said that she would consider it, and get back to either Shalelu or Faunra about this. I thanked her for her time, and went back to work.

Eviana and Faunra spent some time talking about some other details before I offered them the use of my library upstairs if they would like some privacy or comfortable place to recline while I worked on the armor. Shalelu asked how long I thought that it might take, and I told her that we were looking at needing at least five hours to get everything completed and updated. Faunra and Eviana took their leave and Shalelu acted the part of the willing mannequin to help out with the work. After a few minutes, Shalelu noted that I was working a lot faster than I had quoted Eviana that I would be able to do for her project.

I told Shalelu that I knew that, and that I could possibly get a suit of armor done in a day, with the help of Veronica, but that it would still take me the better part of two years to get everyone finished. I added that I would have to find students or others who were willing to learn this trade to increase the capacity. I would also need an increase the capacity of my electrical plant to ensure that it could stand up to the rigors of the rapid pace of manufacture, and that this would all take time. I also noted that there were a lot of materials that I would need to acquire to enable me to make the base compounds, including materials that were harder to acquire.

Shalelu asked if there was anything that I would trust Eviana with acquiring with the formula. I told her that I would think about it, but that the formula doesn't belong to me anymore, that it belongs to Ameiko and Savah, and if they want to sell the formula or the process, it is up to them. Shalelu nodded and said that she would talk to them after Eviana left. I thanked her for waiting, and told her that I appreciated the fact that they were willing to offer that consideration. Shalelu said that she didn't want to infringe on what I could offer to this town, but the need was great. I nodded and continued my work.

After three hours of work, we were almost done. Shalelu asked if having another Dedicated Wright would help. I told Shalelu that having more help would obviously make things go quicker, but that some things were really a matter of time more than anything else. Shalelu said that she could understand that, but that she would try to talk to Faunra to find out what needed to be done to make this work. I thanked her, but told her that I needed to work on expanding my workshop to allow for the work that could be done. Shalelu smiled, apparently understanding that things needed to be done in their own time.

Finally, around lunch time, we were done with Shalelu's armor upgrades. I knew that I would eventually have to get around to making the armors that had helmets incorporate the radios, and all of them would need flashlights, but for now, this would work. I need to look into ensuring that I can make a good receiver & transmitter for the household, and then maybe work on another for the town as a whole. Then I can convince the mayor and the sheriff to allow me to install a sound powered phone system between their abodes and the garrison/town hall. If I do get that, then I could make it expandable, and have a set up where they have booths throughout the town that can call in to an emergency dispatch.

Shalelu broke me out of my reverie with a statement about how good the armor fit and how flexible it was. I quickly caught myself up to reality and told her that this was the goal the entire time, that I wanted the armor to fit like a second skin. Shalelu nodded and thanked me again. I told her that I really didn't mind helping Eviana, but that I did have to keep my word with everyone else. Shalelu said that she would talk to Eviana about everything.

I thanked her and told her that there were other things that I was working on that would help out the elves, especially if they are of the thoughts that they are willing to ally with other towns or people. Shalelu told me that a lot of the Elves of Crying Leaf were not as enlightened as she was, and that some even thought of everyone who wasn't an Elf was automatically evil. I nodded and told her that I can kind of understand that thought when people are dealing with enemies at every angle. I told Shalelu that I would not permit the insult of Savah or myself in the aid of Crying Leaf, but that I would be glad to help them otherwise. Shalelu told me that she would make this known to Eviana as well.

I headed out to the store to check on Savah. She was ensuring that all her merchandise was in good condition. I asked her how her day was going, and she noted that she had a few people come in, and sold a few quivers of arrows to one person and a cold iron dagger to another, but that the day was mostly going by as normal. I told her that I hoped that the move had not reduced her ability to make what she needs. Savah shook her head, and noted that with the stock that Veronica was making periodically, we were having a decent amount of low level purchases.

I thanked her for the compliment, and asked her what she wanted to do for lunch. Savah asked if we were going to have the three Elves here for it and I shrugged. I noted that I could make something upstairs and we could all eat there if she was amenable. Savah said that she didn't mind, and that it would be a good thing if she could make some inroads with another settlement. I sheepishly noted that I might have killed that when Eviana had demanded that I make seven hundred suits of armor and implied that I should drop everything to do so. Savah frowned and said that we didn't need to work with someone who did that kind of thing.

I thanked Savah for sticking with me in this, and told her that I would have to have Faunra and Shalelu contract it out with you, and that the only reason why I was considering it was because her town was under siege by a group of evil Elves. Savah asked me if they were Drow. I told her that I didn't know, but that we could ask if she thought that it was important. Savah shook her head, and told me that if it was Drow, then Eviana wouldn't come right out and say it, and it could be considered a bad thing to bring up. Savah added that the fact that the Elves were coming to me with the armor request probably means that they are in a really bad way.

We went upstairs to the common room and the trio were all up there, having a simple conversation about all of the things that the two of them had encountered since they had arrived here. I asked them all if they would like something to eat. Eviana said that she didn't think that she would like anything and Faunra stopped her, telling me that Eviana needed to try the Ice Cream floats that I had shown her. I told Faunra that I would need her assistance with it, but that I would whip it right up. Savah sat down, and asked me if I could make her a small meal. I told her that I would, and went into the pantry to collect what I needed.

Faunra was already in the kitchen when I got in there with everything. I poured out the milk in a low pan and asked her to flash freeze it with a ray of cold. Faunra accommodated and I rolled the newly frozen cream with a scoop. I took out five ciders and five mugs. I asked Faunra to flash freeze the mugs, and she did so as well. I got the cider into the mugs and changed the flavor to root beer. The ice cream got flavored with the taste of Madagascar vanilla.

For lunch, I sliced up some vegetables and cheeses, and whipped up my California onion dip from the assorted ingredients that we had. Two people using Prestidigitation to prepare the ingredients made the work go twice as fast. We brought everything into the common room and placed the mugs in front of each of them and placed he platter of cheeses and vegetables in the center of the table. Savah and Faunra dug right in, each picking what they liked from the platter and drinking their ice cream floats. Shalelu grabbed some vegetables and snacked while Eviana just watched dismissively. I shrugged and started having my own lunch.

I asked Faunra and Shalelu about how their Tower was going. They told me that their Tower would be finished today, that there were only finishing touches done to the observatory. I congratulated them and asked if they would be willing to have a receiver tower put up in their vicinity when I was done with my own and the Towns. Shalelu asked what it would do for them, and I noted that repeater stations would help to broadcast how far the radios could work, and allow us the possibility to maybe one-day reach as far as Magnimar. Eviana asked what we were referring to.

Faunra pulled out her radio, turned it on, and showed it to Eviana. Eviana asked us how this worked. I grabbed my radio, and checked it, and went into the other room. I chimed in on my radio and told her that these items work via technology, something that does not detect as magical, and could work for communication near instantly across distances of up to thirty-five miles if unimpeded. It took a few seconds after I stopped before I heard Eviana ask if more of these could be made. I came back into the common room to tell her that I was working on a way to get these to be able to transmit and receive over a longer distance first, and that once I could do that, I would be working on replicating them, on a simpler version.

Eviana was silent in her consideration, and finally asked if these would be on the list of things that I was making in the future. I told her that I would only be working on the projects that I had already told her ahead of hers, unless something commands me elsewhere. Eviana told me that she would have to consider further work with us but that she would get back to us via Faunra and Shalelu. I thanked her and bade her to try her food. She cast a spell on it, probably a detection spell, and finally gave it a try. She politely tried the food and drink and told us all that she needed to get back to her village.

Eviana stood up and opened up spent a couple of seconds casting a spell. When she was done, she whispered something in another language into the air, and a small brightly glowing orb popped up into existence next to her. It seemed to hover around her while they talked in that same language that I was unfamiliar with. Eviana pulled out a large silk bag, that was definitely magical. She opened it up on the floor and jumped in. She completely disappeared into it. The orb drifted down to the bag and touched the edge of the bag. It hung there silently for a few seconds before disappearing, taking the bag with it.

Faunra noted that this wouldn't normally be possible, but the fact that Eviana had joined with the Lantern Archon as a familiar. I asked Faunra if this would be something that she would ever be able to do and she shook her head. Faunra told us that her bow had taken up that position in her souls, and that the bow would not permit any other familiar. I nodded taking this information in. Shalelu commented that she really liked how the new armor fitted. I told her that I was glad and that I hoped that I had not done anything to upset the ruler of her home town.

Shalelu told us that Eviana had just recently been installed as the leader of the town and the strain was starting to weigh on her a little. I told Shalelu that I wouldn't wish being placed in charge of a town under siege on anyone. Shalelu nodded but noted that there is pretty much an impasse at the moment. The Elves have not sufficiently built up enough supplies to conduct a raid, and the Drow haven't dared strike out in numbers to try to take the town out. Savah about spit out her cider when she heard the word Drow.

I asked Shalelu how long this was tenable to stay in this condition. Shalelu told me that all of the divination had stated that it would likely be another year before forces are marshalled such that either side will take a major offensive. Faunra spoke up and said that she would be glad to make another Dedicated Wright to help out, but that she needed to get some more rare components that we didn't have nearby to facilitate the construction. I looked to Savah, who nodded, and told Shalelu and Faunra that we would do what we could to make our progress faster.

Shalelu noted that the town would deal with getting the quilted tunics and such made and brought down here in bulk, so that we can work on it at a much quicker rate. I thanked her and said that I would still need to get access to a LOT of other materials. Savah said that she could get access to them for us, but that she would need a substantial deposit for them. Shalelu agreed and asked Savah to get the amounts figured out and that Shalelu would pass the quote along. Savah thanked her and said that she would get on it.

When we finished our lunch, Shalelu and Faunra asked what was so important that we needed to talk today. I spaced out for a minute trying to remember and then brought up the issue with Jasper. I told them that his next shipment was scheduled for the 29th, and that we were welcome to do a ride along, if they were willing. Faunra said that she would be okay with it, and Shalelu noted that she would join as well. Savah sardonically noted that she still had a business to run, but that we should keep her informed. I told her that I definitely would, and she said good.

Shalelu and Faunra said that they would be dropping by the Barghest to talk to Jonathan, so that I could handle talking to Dame Rebekah when she came to town. I told them I would, and wished them safe journeys. Savah and I opened the shop back up and I went back to work in the workshop. I decided that I could try and set up the receiver fairly simply, as this shouldn't be the worst thing in the world to make fairly readily. I pulled apart the old emergency radio from my pack and took a look at the circuit board. Veronica and I tweaked what we needed to change to get the proto-receiver to receive words from the radio.

It was a mild success to say the least. Speakers would not be that hard to do, once I got another source of capital. For now, though, my spare funds for experimenting were drying up. I was either going to have to slow down on the experiments or sacrifice more of my original tools and items to make the new things work. I puzzled over this conundrum for a bit while Veronica worked on more components for the system. Eventually, Savah came and pulled me out of my daze to tell me that she was locking up for the day, and that we could go to the Rusty Dragon or something if I thought it would be a good place to head to.

I smiled and told her that it would be great to go there. Veronica shifted goals to work on more saleable goods for the shop while Savah and I to changed and headed over to the Rusty Dragon. Ameiko almost broke character for a second before asking if I was darkening her step with another quaint story. I told her that I thought that the people would like to hear another tale from faraway lands. Ameiko grimaced and noted that she didn't have a performer tonight, so I might as well take the stage. I set up the screens, ensured that Savah had a good seat for the show, and prepared my prestidigitation abilities to maximize my performance.

I decided that I would start up a story that I could complete in three nights, I did the Christopher Nolan arc of Batman. There were some things that took some explaining. Apparently, a young kid named Milo told me that he had heard that a batman was an officer's personal servant. I told the young child that where I was from, officers no longer had personal servants. He took that with a large grain of salt. I told the tale of how the Batman character came to be, and how he worked outside the law to bring those who committed crimes to justice. I really hope that I am not spawning some kind of vigilante craze here in Varisia. That's all they need.

By the end of the night, people were all enjoying the story so far, and how it stopped off at the point where the caped crusader had saved the city from both Ra's Al Ghul and Dr. Crane. The younger children said that they all liked the story, and I realized that I could probably retire comfortably in this town just making comic books for cheap and getting kids to start reading them. Be a good way to make reading fun in any event. Savah and I enjoyed our drinks and meals when I was done, and the crowd all demanded that I come back the following night to continue the adventures of the Dark Knight.

Savah smiled as we rode back to the house. She asked me if there were things that I missed from the old world. I told her that about the only thing that I really missed was the ability to drive a little bit faster. Going a whopping fourteen miles an hour was a bit of a letdown after routinely travelling seventy-five to eighty twice a day. Savah asked if there was anything I could do to improve that for us, and I told her that I would have to look into if after everything else that was on my list was dealt with. Savah said that I had picked up a fair amount of business for the household. I told her that I had never intended on making myself or the house so busy.

Savah said that she could understand, but that we were definitely going to need to have a shop manager or something to get things running smoothly in the workshop if I am intending on being away from any substantial period of time. I told her that I would look into it tomorrow. We got back home and locked up everything. Bailey was already inside so we finished off our tasks and decided to head to bed.