Day 83: Moonday the 10th, Kuthona, 4707
I awoke to Jonathan telling me that it was time to get up. He noted that if we left early enough, Shalelu claimed that we could be back in Sandpoint by end of business, or even by lunch if we skipped breakfast. I opted for the latter, as we could eat on the road. We had a brief meeting with Mayor Janos and warned them of the impending Giant force coming down from the mountains. They seemed a bit incredulous, but accepted the answer when they had found out that we had slain some ogres who had captured Fort Rannick. We thanked the Mayor for their time and headed out quickly. We didn't have time to dally.
Before we headed out, Jonathan sent a message to Sir Jasper, indicating that we would be back in town by the end of the day, and if he is back before us, he should set up a meeting with the Mayor. Sir Jasper said that he would also be back in town by the end of the day, and he would provide us with the information that we were to receive from the Lord-Mayor.
We all piled onto the bikes and started out on the last phase of our trip. Shalelu took the lead again, after invoking her natural blessing, and led us in the direction of Sandpoint. Dame Rebekah was riding with Faunra, and Jonathan was on the back of my bike. We were rushing as fast as we could. About three hours into our trip, at around ten o'clock, we saw what would have been an attempt at an ambush, the only problem was that we were riding faster than they were prepared to jump, so they time it poorly and only managed a few arrows aimed in our general direction.
They definitely didn't have the reaction time to hit Shalelu. They didn't have the capability to really react to Faunra and Dame Rebekah either. They only barely had enough time to fire off a few shots at Jonathan and me. I deftly zipped around and evaded the arrows coming at me, and they were shunted around Jonathan by the wind field around him. We didn't take the time to slow down to deal with them. I think I heard Shalelu note that she would deal with them later. We continued on for another two and a half hours before arriving back at Sandpoint.
At about two miles out, I called over the radio that we were coming back. Almost immediately Savah came over the radio welcoming us back. I told her that we were less than ten minutes out, and that we would need to have a discussion with the Mayor and Sheriff Hemlock, if they could be made available, and that I was sorry that I could not drop by the house first. We made our way to the North Gate and a pair of guards, Jubal Nakrimor and Jaren Basvear, were there and flagging us to just continue on. We rode through and Jonathan waved to them like he was a prom king. We rushed right over to the Mayor's office and Savah was there, waiting with the Mayor and Sheriff Hemlock.
Savah ran up and hugged me, welcoming me back, and the Mayor and Sheriff looked to be willing to wait just a minute while this played out. I told her that I had missed her, and that we had seen things during the ten days. The group all looked to me, and I regaled everyone the tale of our last few days. I have the Mayor and the Sheriff enthralled by my story to the point that they were not aware that their participation was required at this point, when Faunra pulled out the massive note indicating that a dragon and an army would be invading Sandpoint. The Mayor and the Sheriff poured over the note, and were a bit incredulous.
Dame Rebekah said that we could present ourselves to be questioned under a zone of truth effect, if desired, and the Mayor shook her head. She told us that she knew that we wouldn't lie, that it would be pointless to have the spell cast. The Mayor sighed and said that this was important to bring up with the town council. I told her that I could have to be away if that would be better. The Mayor shook her head and said that I needed to tell the story again to everyone at the town council. The Sheriff noted that he would be looking to beefing up security. I told him that Oren would be a good person to ask, and that we would be working on ways to help the town as soon as we could. Before he left, he asked how much time he had.
Faunra told him that we had calculated that we had at least ten days, from when we left, and possibly more. Ten days, the Mayor muttered, that was just before the Crystalhue ceremony. I told her that I didn't know if they would attack before or after the ceremony, but that we would try to use whatever magic we could to find out. The Mayor thanked us and said that we would need to keep her updated. Dame Rebekah told her that we would and we left the office, to wait to be summoned again. Jonathan noted that he wanted to check in with Shayliss, and Dame Rebekah noted that she wanted to check in with Chelger. I told her that she would be free to use the base station at my house, if she wanted, but she wanted to head back on her steed. She summoned Bucepherous from the stone figurine and the steed was conjured forth. She unpacked all of the gear, including the gigantic armor, and got into the saddle before flying off.
Jonathan volunteered to move all of the stuff back to my place, and we set it up outside the house. Faunra and Shalelu came back with us, and worked to go over everything that they could to try to ensure that all of the valuable equipment was sorted out. Savah said that she could try to pawn most of this off in Magnimar, but that the market wouldn't be nearly as good here. Shalelu said that she would be glad to escort her to Magnimar and help get everything back. Faunra said that this was a good because we would both have a lot of crafting to do if we were going to get everything that we needed done by the time the battle was here.
Savah added that we still had a lot of preparations to accomplish before Crystalhue. I smiled and said that of course it would come to this, that all of our big day would be damaged by the assholes who just can't relax for five minutes before being bigger assholes. Savah asked frankly if it was anything that we had done to cause this. Faunra spoke up and said that this message was sent before we had even gotten summoned by the Lord-Mayor, let alone when we had arrived in Turtleback Ferry, or Fort Rannick, or Hook Mountain. Savah sighed and said that she had worried for a bit, that she can at least be confident when she defends us in town.
Just then, there was a knock on the shop door and Sir Jasper came in. He looked a little out of breath, and he looked like he had been riding hard the whole day. Sir Jasper told us that he had finally gotten in touch with Valanni and passed the message along. Valanni said that he would take care of it. Sir Jasper said that he, on a whim, spoke to the head of the Church of Abadar, Proctor Jyronn, about the upcoming possible battle. Sir Jasper said that we had made an impression on the Proctor, and that it was a good thing that we were defending civilization, and that he would send a detachment to assist. It seemed that there were repercussions from our busting up the Skinsaw cult and his people were working to correct the issue.
I thanked him for acting as our go between, and he asked if it was true that we had gone from Sandpoint to Magnimar, to Turtleback Ferry, then back to Sandpoint in less than two weeks. Faunra told him that it was, but that a lot of it was due to some blessings from Shalelu. Sir Jasper said that if the vehicles could even possibly do that, that he needed to order some from us, when this all blew over. Savah laughed and noted that she would pencil him in on the list. Shalelu said that it looked like we would have an extremely long cue. Faunra noted that we would have the help that we need, but that Savah might want some time to notice the changes in me right now, with a wink, before they both headed off. Sir Jasper said that he had to go confer with the Mayor and the Sheriff, and left Savah and me alone.
Savah asked me what had changed. I proceeded to tell her a fuller story than I told the Mayor and Sheriff Hemlock. A fuller story that included how I have developed an ability to cast spells like Faunra, and how we all now have some power that enables us to perform great feats after we had slain Black Magga, a creature that had existed from back in Faunra's time, and how I had been gifted with enduring inspiration by the ghost nymph Myriana for bringing the remains of her dead lover back to her. Savah smiled and said that she had noticed something different about me. Then she asked something dreadful, she asked if how I had not gone blind from seeing the Nymph.
I quickly told her that I had seen true beauty in her, and that I didn't have any reason to look at a Nymph. She gushed from the obvious pandering and we embraced for a bit. Savah told me that she had been really worried when I left because we really had not been together that long and it seemed like it had almost been a dream. Savah then started to tear up a little. She told me that she had something to tell me that she had not passed along to Shayliss for fear that it would cause me to lose my focus, especially after hearing that we were battling ogres.
Savah told me that Bailey had been killed by some Sczarni Thug who had tried to break in to the house. I hadn't picked up on the fact that Bailey wasn't out at the dog house. Savah continued with telling me that Bailey had saved her, and that she finished off the Thug. Sheriff Hemlock already knows about it, and was doing investigations regarding it, but that he had been told to not tell me when I got back. I told Savah that this was the purpose of Bailey, and even though I will be sad, and will miss Bailey, that I was happier that she was safe.
Savah then sheepishly told me that this was the issue, that we wouldn't have to miss Bailey. It turned out that in her desperation to bring the dog back, she went searching for someone to assist her. She couldn't find anyone, so she went to Destrier Manor to talk to Chelger. Chelger admitted that he wasn't skilled enough, but that he would join her on her quest. After some challenges, in which she had to face down some undead, she finally came upon a solution. I interjected and asked if Bailey was a ghoul-hound. Savah said that this wasn't the case at all, and called Bailey down.
At first all I heard was a metallic growl, like someone had tried to make the sound of a wolf howl by scraping two blades together. Then I heard the clink-clank as something was coming down the stair. What I saw was what looked like a metal wolf, adorned with small blades on its haunches and hindquarters. I looked to Savah and said that I couldn't agree with it being in bed with us anymore. Savah looked disheartened and asked why. I told her that the thing was so heavy, it would smother us, and if we moved wrong we'd get cut, and it wouldn't even be trying to hurt us. I said it with enough incredulity and amusement that she started laughing. Bailey, who was looking more like Bottweiler, seemed to relax a bit more after Savah's tension released a bit.
I asked Savah how this was done, and she told me that in her desperation, she, Chelger, and Shayliss had all went to Faunra and Shalelu's tower to see if they had any notes about bringing animals back from the dead. Apparently, Faunra and Shalelu had left copies of themselves there somehow, and the copy of Faunra had taken it upon herself to make Bailey into a construct. Now Savah has a telepathic link with the construct, and it follows her everywhere. She added that it took some getting used to, but Bailey definitely is her dog now. We laughed for a bit, and Savah eventually changed the subject, asking what kind of spells I could cast.
I invoked the Unseen Servant spell, and told it to start tidying up the shop. Savah smiled and noted that this meant even less housework. I smiled but noted that it had a limited range around me. Savah told me that the twins, Igor and Veronica, had been working on the things that I had ordered them to work on while I was gone, but come Fireday, they started making progress a lot more rapidly, so she had asked if they could make something for her. They had fabricated a rifle that day, and she asked me if I could look it over.
We went to the shop and both Igor and Veronica were working on a pile of grenades. There was a pile of eight shock batons, and two suits of armor just needed to be sized correctly. Igor and Veronica were both wearing armor that looked like it was similar to what I was wearing, and their hammers looked better crafted than when I had left. They saluted me before slowly putting the grenade together. Savah asked me what they were as I pushed her out of the room. I shut the door behind us and escorted us both quickly outside of the building. I looked at Savah asked her how long they had been building those.
Savah said that she wasn't certain, but that they had definitely been making them since yesterday at least. Savah noted that she hadn't really been paying too much attention to them when she was out on the trip to get Bailey brought back. I sighed and told her that each of them was an explosive that was capable of killing a person. Savah's eyes opened wide and noted that there were at least twenty in there yesterday. I told her that it looked like they were finishing up on number forty-one. I told Savah to wait outside until I gave her the all clear.
I thought to Veronica and Igor that I was coming back in, and that I was alone. They thought to me that they were fine with that. I walked in and thought to them to ask why they had started building grenades. Igor and Veronica sent to me that they were confused, that they had received thoughts while I was away that there was an army coming, and that we would need to defend the town. I thanked them both for their forethought and insights. Igor and Veronica noted that they were much more comfortable with Bailey now. I thanked them for their candid reflections, and noted that we were all in this together. Igor responded back to me to keep my stick on the ice. Veronica sent that if women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy. I smiled with the reflection.
I carefully gathered up the grenades and asked if they could make some that just spewed out a splash of paint or light, so that they could be used as trainers. Veronica noted that they could whip them up tonight. I sat down with them and got updated as to what they had made, and what we needed to work on. We modeled an improvement for my armor and I put Igor and Veronica to work. They said that they would get this done by the end of the night, but the bells and whistles would take another day, and it would still need to be enchanted. It would definitely help in any event.
I went back out and gave Savah a rundown of what had happened. She noted that if she knew that they could send messages across that distance, things would have been much easier. I noted that it seemed like it was a lot more strained at that distance, and it seemed to be more focused around emotion and one way only. Savah nodded and asked what we should do for the rest of the day. I told her that I would be glad to help her learn how to shoot her new firearm. Savah smiled, and I got her a set of earplugs. We went out back and set up a target. It took her a little while, and Bailey 2.0 was sitting there at our feet, but Savah got the hang of it quicker than I did when I started learning how to shoot a rifle.
After an hour of this, we went back into the store, and I told Savah that we needed to talk to Sheriff Hemlock about the new resources for the guards in the event of an attack. Savah said that she would be glad to go with me to talk to him. We got on my bike and headed out. While we rode, Savah told me that it was really good for me to be home. I told her that I was really glad to be home too. We rode to the Garrison, where Sheriff Hemlock was there, waiting. I told him that we needed to talk a bit more, and he said that he had already received the complaints from Scarnetti about the noise. I bristled, but said that this was needed preparation for the upcoming assault. Sheriff Hemlock said that he had understood that, and filed the report under wartime preparation and left it at that.
I told the Sheriff that we needed to show him something, but it would be really noisy. He recommended that we go over to Junker's Edge and try to muffle the noise that way. We went parked the bike and walked over there. I told Sheriff Hemlock that the homunculus in my shop had made some things that could help if he could train the guards to use them. Sheriff Hemlock said that he would be the judge of that, but the he would try to be understanding.
I showed the Sheriff the grenade and gave him a brief explanation of how it worked. He watched as I pulled the pin and dropped it on the junk pile. A lone goblin accidentally ran out to grab it and it blew up just before the goblin got there. The Goblin disappeared, along with a large pile of trash that the grenade landed on. The Sheriff saw all of this and was a bit impressed. He asked if this was magic, and I told him that it was not, and that anyone could use it if they were trained. I told him that I am having them make some non-damaging paint grenades for him to train his people with. Sheriff Hemlock said that he would work with this. I added that the gunfire was from Savah's new rifle. I added that I would be trying something out later in the week to try to upgrade what I had to work with. The Sheriff noted that he would keep it in mind.
We shook hands and he said that he would drop by later. Savah told him that she would be heading over to Magnimar tomorrow or the next day and could provide any messages to the Lord-Mayor or someone else as needed. Sheriff Hemlock smiled and said that he still couldn't get by the fact that we could get to Magnimar in under two days. I smiled and noted that I could make it there in under three hours if push came to shove. Sheriff Hemlock said that he was going to have to start learning how to ride those bikes. Savah said that she would give him a sweet deal on one when he was ready to get one. Sheriff Hemlock asked if he had to wear one of the helmets. I told him that he didn't but it was the safe thing to do.
Savah and I rode back to the shop and Savah went back to the shop to continue her business for the day. I went back to the shop to help Igor and Veronica work more on the addition to my armor. I know that it wouldn't be a done until the next morning, but we could get a lot of it done in one day. We worked fairly rapidly but accurately, and managed to get a lot of the fabrication done for the item itself. It would be tomorrow that we get it attached to the armor and finished constructed. Savah came in and asked if I wanted to head out to dinner. I told her that I would love to, but that it would be just as nice to have a quiet night at home with her. Savah smiled and we worked together to make dinner. It was a slightly messy affair, but we got through it just fine. We had some catching up to do, so we retired to our room before Oren and Arika came back home. Bailey 2.0 laid down at the foot of the bed, as it should be.