Day 93: Oathday the 20th, Kuthona, 4707
I had set an alarm to get up bright and early, and got dressed with a quick application of my spell to summon both my clothing and armor onto me. I prestidigitated myself into proper condition and made a quick breakfast with a note for everyone that I hoped to be back shortly, that I just had to go talk to Father Zantus. I got to my bike, sent a mental message to the twins to keep working on the dumbwaiter and Niddler and War-Bringer to keep an eye out on the area. I rode off on my bike to head to the Sandpoint Cathedral.
When I got there, Father Zantus was just waking up. I asked him if he had a few minutes to discuss some matters and he ensured that he had the time to talk. He asked me if I was worried about the upcoming ceremony, and I told him that it was no such thing. I told him that what I was concerned with is that with all of the business of the times, that today was a holiday that was sacred to my faith, but that I had not partaken in any of the preparations for it. Father Zantus asked me about the holiday and I gave him a brief run-down of Yule.
After a bit of a discussion we came to the conclusion that since the holiday on my old world was situated around the solstice, and tomorrow was the solstice here, that it shouldn't be a concern about the date, and that I should try to make any preparations that I felt that I needed to make today, for tomorrow. He added that a lot of the traditions seemed to have parallels in other faiths here, leading him to want to have further discussions with me later. He noted that my traditions of the feast should easily be met with the feast that was already planned, but that if I felt the need to get the gifts, the best place would be Magnimar, but that this would take at least a few days to get there and back, unfortunately.
I smiled and told him that this was where he was wrong, that Savah and I possessed the ability to travel very fast, and that he could go with us if he wanted. Father Zantus asked if we could be certain to be back before tomorrow morning. I told him that our trip to Magnimar would take less than three hours, and that it would take about the same amount of time to head back. Father Zantus said that he would talk to Walda and Yannah to have them run services today, and that he would be ready in a few minutes. I told him that I could wait, and that we could go get Savah on our way out to Magnimar.
I waited for a few minutes and a priest that I recognized as Lovus walked up. He looked over my bike and asked me if I was making more of these, since Sheriff Hemlock had one. I told him that he would have to talk to Savah about it, but that I had no issues with making more. She was the one who was handling the planning and scheduling of the workshop. Lovus nodded and asked if what I had said was true. I told him that my version of the bike can make it to Magnimar in under three hours, while some of the more normal bikes that I make can do the journey in about four hours. Lovus blinked and asked how it was possible. I told him that magic might make a journey instantaneous, but that my bikes used science coupled with magic to make them move faster than all but the fastest horses.
Father Zantus came back at that point and noted that he was ready. Lovus thanked me for the talk and said that he would check in with Savah later today. Father Zantus gently told him that it would be best to wait a few days, considering what all was going on. Lovus agreed sheepishly, and headed back into the cathedral. Father Zantus sheepishly got on the back of the bike, and I started up. Slowly at first, just to let him get an understanding and then got the bike up to speed. Father Zantus seemed a bit amused by how fast we were going, and we got back to the house quickly.
When we got back, I saw that the two pegasi were outside, and I brought Father Zantus into the house with me as I took him upstairs to the common room. Everyone was talking about various things but they silenced when Father Zantus and I came in. Father Zantus wished everyone a good morning, and I got Savah to talk to her. I told Father Zantus to sit down and have some food, and he did, while talking to Chelger and Dame Rebekah about various ecclesiastical matters. In the kitchen, Savah asked me what the big rush was, and if I was feeling cold feet or anything. I told her that it was no such thing, but that I had something that I had needed to talk to Father Zantus about, and that as a matter of our discussion, we needed to head to Magnimar with a quickness, today.
Savah looked at me for a minute and asked, we? I told her that both of us and Father Zantus would need to go, as we needed to ensure that we would make it back in time. Savah shrugged and agreed, but said that she needed to get ready. We went to the bedroom and I summoned her travelling gear and armor onto her. She smiled and said that she guessed it would take less time than she thought. She asked if I was going to need any money for this and I told her that I definitely would, and that we should plan on having a decent lunch in Magnimar. Savah nodded and went to the lockbox. I went back into the common room and told everyone that we would be heading out shortly to head to Magnimar, and that we would be back before the end of the day.
Everyone had, by now, seen how fast we can travel, so they were not surprised by the declaration. Father Zantus said that he'd meet up with us in five minutes downstairs. I nodded and went down to the workshop. The twins said that they would be done with the dumbwaiter enhancement, and would need guidance. I told them to work on building up our supplies for the store, and maybe a bit of light armor fabrication. They sent me back an affirmation and I went outside. Niddler and War-Bringer were down at ground level and noted that they wanted to come with us. War-Bringer noted that if it was just the three of us, we could use another set of eyes. I agreed and he made his way up to fasten the heavy weapon harness around me again. Niddler flew down and roosted on my left shoulder.
By the time I was completely ready, Savah was out in her armor, with her rifle, and her bike was wheeling out. Father Zantus asked how he would ride with us and I told him that he could ride behind Savah or myself. He picked Savah, as he had ridden behind me and felt that I was a bit to reckless for him just now. Savah and I laughed and we got on the bikes. Father Zantus got behind Savah and we started out. We took the trail to the bottom of our cleared off area and made our way to the rest of the Lost Coast Road. We slowly increased our speed until we were up to our maximum, about twenty-three miles-an-hour.
We took off at a rapid pace, with the road kicking up dust behind us. I noted to myself that I would definitely repave this road if I ever got the chance, even if it was only in ten foot increments. As we rode on, we passed a pair of Sandpoint guards who were mounted on the bikes that we had provided. We waved as we passed, but didn't slow down. We placed a call to Faunra and Shalelu that we would be heading past in a bit on our way to Magnimar. Faunra responded back that she was in the middle of crafting and Shalelu was hunting bugbears. I wished them both luck and thought to myself that it would be really nice to have a permanent spell thing linking the helmets that I make so that it was easier to pass this along to Savah.
We rode on past the trail to Destrier Manor as I now called it, but didn't turn to head down that way. Dame Rebekah and Chelger were in Sandpoint, so it wouldn't do much good. We continued on past the Whisperwood swamp and remembered where we had taken out the most recent set of bandits. I noted how the roads here were getting ruts in them, from the rain and everything that was omnipresent here. It would definitely be better to have the roads made, but I would need to figure out the best way to make them so that the water doesn't cause problems either. More things to think about.
We finished up our trip and entered into Magnimar. The guards didn't give us any trouble, as the bikes had official registered titles from the guild here. I guess this is one positive. Now we just need them to make photo ids and they can be just like the DMV. Ugh. We made our way down to the Temple to Desna and Father Zantus went in to talk to Mother Bevaluu Zimantiu. After a few moments, they both came back out and Father Zantus told us that she had known that some form of travel would make it here in time for her to go, that her goddess had told her so. I told Father Zantus that I would have to have more discussions with him later.
Savah asked if we had to go anywhere else before lunch, and I told her that I needed to visit a few places in the Bazaar of Sails, to pick up some things. Savah said that there was a tavern that she might feel good enough to recommend for someone as important as Mother Bevaluu. Mother Bevaluu shushed her, saying that she was fine to eat wherever. Savah shrugged and said that we could all eat at the Old Fang. I didn't know anything about it, so I said sure. Father Zantus and Mother Bevaluu were both okay with it, so we headed over to the Bazaar of Sails since it was on the way.
When we got there, Savah asked me where I had to go, and I told her the general idea that I had come up with for most of the gifts. I knew that I would have to be sneaky to get something for her, but I hoped that the two priests could help with that when the time came. She had some confusion about some of the things until I told her that they were minor gifts for the others, and that there were what I could think of that fit them best. Savah nodded and we headed to a place that would supply a fair amount of the preserved produce that I was looking to get. After a few minutes, we had an assortment of brandied fruits that were all placed into my handy haversack. They also had a variety of cheese rumored to be made from Catoblepas, an animal that was rumored to kill with a glaze. I ended up getting five pounds for Jonathan.
From there, Savah took us to a woodsman store, where I found the Field Glass set for Faunra and a nice hunting knife set for Shalelu. Savah asked me where I needed to head to next, and I noted that I would like to pick up some lounging robes and whatnot for Oren and Vaeren, as I would like to minimize the chance of what had happened before to happen again. Savah laughed and took me to a decent, off the rack clothes establishment. A few gold pieces later, and we had gotten a lounging robe for both Vaeren and Oren, a set of slippers for Vaeren, and a fur cloak for Arika. Nothing quite as nice as Savah's but still not bad.
We stopped for lunch and got a treat for everyone. We had a decent meal of fish, I didn't ask what kind, and finished off with a delicacy, Mekainae. This was apparently something designated for heroes back where it was originated, but in the city of merchants, this was something that was for sale. We all enjoyed it none the less. After this, Savah asked where else I might need to go. I noted that I was intending on getting a lot of religious things, for various people, and Mother Bevaluu said that she knew just the place. We headed to where she was leading going through various side streets and alleys in a way that I was certain that only a veteran of this city could manage. Eventually, we made our way to a little shop that seemed to just radiate temple.
When we got in, Mother Bevaluu and Father Zantus both took some time to talk shop with the proprietor, while Savah and I went about collecting all of the things that we needed to get for the people who we were looking for. They even had a banner that was appropriate for Cyrdak's theater for some reason. I paid out the money that the clerk asked for, and into the haversack the items went. Savah asked if I was about done, and I looked to the priests with a bit of apprehension. Father Zantus caught my meaning quickly and said that he actually had a place that he needed to head to in the Capital District before we headed back, and that he could use my assistance, while Mother Bevaluu noted that she had to head back to the Cynosure Tower before she left as she had forgotten something.
Savah sighed and suggested that I take Mother Bevaluu back to the Cynosure and she would help Father Zantus find what he was looking for. Father Zantus thanked her and looked like he was coming up with something as they headed out. Before they left, Savah said that we should catch back up at the Naos District gate to head back to Sandpoint. Mother Bevaluu then asked me what I was thinking about getting that I didn't want Savah to know about. I told her that I wanted to get Savah a gift, but that I didn't want her to know what it was in advance. Mother Bevaluu asked me what kind of gift, and I told her all of the different things that I had been thinking of.
Mother Bevaluu laughed and said she had just the place, and directed me on the path to take. We rushed through the alleys and zipped much faster than I would have ever expected. The enchanted tires that Faunra had set me up with have certainly made this vehicle a speed demon comparatively. We got to a store that looked like a combination of the Goblin Market from Hellboy 2 and the shop from Gremlins. Mother Bevaluu went inside first, to check with the owner to make sure that it would be okay, and then ushered me in, while saying that she would be outside with the bike.
I nervously went in and started looking around. I found a nice silver comb and brush set that said beauty in Shoanti that I grabbed and put on the counter, then went back to looking. I found a set of four matching bath oils and four perfumes. Since I didn't know what kinds of scents she liked, I figured that this would be a good way to find out. Then I saw a stone bead necklace with sigils inscribed on them. I could swear that they looked like they were from China. I grabbed them reflexively to take a better look, and the shopkeeper said that I had made an excellent choice. I tried to say that I had not, but the rest of the shop disappeared. All that was left was the comb and brush set, the matched bath oils and perfumes, and the stone bead necklace that was in my hand. My coin pouch felt a pound lighter. I looked to Mother Bevaluu and she asked to look at the necklace. She looked it over and smiled, saying that I had indeed made an excellent choice.
With no one saying anything else, I loaded up everything into my haversack and we headed to the Cynosure. Mother Bevaluu got her spare holy symbol (she had intended on giving it as a gift to Father Zantus) and we headed to the gate in the Naos district. When we got there, Savah and Father Zantus were pulling up. He noted that he had found what he needed to pick up for me, and handed me a Gold star with Sheriff emblazoned on it. He smiled and said that this would be perfect for Sheriff Hemlock. I thanked him for getting it, and we all headed out of Magnimar.
The three hour ride back went very quick and very uneventful. We checked in via radio with the various people, Dame Rebekah, Chelger, Faunra, and Shalelu. They were all doing okay in their houses and finishing up with their daily events. We continued on and made our way back to Sandpoint proper. When we got to the town, Father Zantus and Mother Bevaluu said that they would prefer to walk from our house to the Cathedral, so we headed right back to our place. Niddler and War-Bringer went to resume their positions, and we put the bikes up. I thanked both of them for being available for this, and Mother Bevaluu shushed me, noting that she needed to take her trip anyway. I looked to Father Zantus and he just smiled, saying that we would have to have the discussion later, maybe in a few weeks, when things had calmed down further.
We got into the house and Savah asked me if I got everything, and I told her that I indeed had. I stopped off in the workshop and found that the twins had finished up on the dumbwaiter and were back to working on armor components. I asked if they could find some time to wrap up the items that I had gotten. I pulled everything out of the haversack, and gave them a list of which item went to each person. I felt kind of bad that I didn't have a Yule tree, but that was something that I'd have to solve next year. I thanked them for what they would be doing and went on upstairs.
Savah, Oren, Arika, Vaeren, Dame Rebekah, and Chelger were all waiting for me in the garage and we headed over to the Theater. Everyone else was already there, with the masked pair already there and masked. Faunra was complaining about the problems that Shalelu and her were having out in the Ashen Rise. Apparently some of the Farmers had been complaining about magical run-off or some such nonsense, and she couldn't assuage them of the issues, but the run off was from something else entirely, and could be used for some of her projects. She added that there was an adventurer from Magnimar who had dropped by with an item that they wanted to sell for way too little. Once they found out the true price, they thanked her greatly and went on their way.
I asked Faunra and Shalelu if they needed help with anything and Faunra just shook her head, saying that they had everything good now, and that they were actually wondering if there were any updates for the possibility of the raid. Dame Rebekah shook her head, saying that the future was clouded by the festival. She would try again a day or two after the event to see if there was anything new. Faunra accepted that and we all got together with the other members of the group that would be participating tomorrow. Father Zantus and Mother Bevaluu had been talking together and came over.
Father Zantus told us that he would walk us through the ceremony after he had a brief discussion with each of us, to ensure that we were all in this still of our own free will. He started with the masked pair, who I knew were Sheriff Hemlock and Kaye Tesarani. He moved next to Dame Rebekah and Chelger, and on down the line. Finally, he came to Savah and me. He asked Savah and her answers affirmative. Father Zantus asked me and I told him that I was certain as well. He stopped for a second and asked if I had gotten everything that was needed. I thought about it for a minute and told him that I thought that I had gotten enough. Father Zantus smiled and said that I was more certain about my first answer than my second. We both laughed.
Father Zantus moved on to Oren and Arika. Arika thought about it for a minute but answered that she was indeed willing to go through with this. Oren seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Father Zantus went to Oren and he confirmed almost immediately. Father Zantus seemed satisfied with all of this and then walked us through the ceremony, how he would be calling the ceremony to order, and waiting for Chelger to give the all clear message to him, as Chelger was going to call a Dapsara, an angel in the service of Shelyn, to perform the actual ceremony. Father Zantus noted that he would have been performing the ceremony, but Chelger had just recently been gifted with the ability to perform this miracle, and that it seemed most appropriate.
We all followed along as Father Zantus went over the rough details, and described what we should expect. He was very good at being a council for those of other faiths, I would definitely give him that. After a half an hour or so, we all felt that we had a reasonable expectation of what would be occurring, and decided to break for the night. Cyrdak and Sir Jasper actually opted for a night at home, instead of at Cracktooth's. Dame Rebekah, Chelger, Faunra, and Shalelu all headed out to their respective homes. Oren and Arika did decided to have a night on the town together, while Savah and I headed directly home.
When we got there, I checked in on the twins and the packages were wrapped. I thanked them for all of their efforts and they both saluted before heading back to work on the next thing that they were planning. I started to head up to the Kitchen when I heard the garage door open. I sent a thought to Niddler and War-Bringer asking them who it was, and they told me that it was Oren and Arika. When they came in, they came right upstairs. I asked them what was wrong, and they told me that Cracktooth's was closed to get all of the food ready for tomorrow. I sighed and asked if they'd like to have dinner with Savah and myself.
They did, so I got some dinner worked up and we all ate together. We had some light conversation about what the future would bring, and Savah noted that we were going to have to expand the house. It was at this time that I felt it best to show everyone what the University would end up looking like. Everyone was amazed, but I noted that we had been working hard to make this into a good place, and that we could always expand upwards if need be. While Oren and Arika pondered over it all, Savah and I made our good nights and headed to bed. As Savah and I headed to go get changed, she asked me if I had any worries about tomorrow. I smiled and told her that I really didn't, that I solved all of my outlying worries with our trip today, and that tomorrow would be the start of another period of my life, and now it was with her. I told her that the only thing that had really gotten to me was the fact that I wasn't as prepared for tomorrow as I wanted to be, but then you never were prepared for anything like this in life anyway, so I just wanted to focus on the excitement. Savah smiled and we went to bed.