Chapter 37

I won't bore you with most of the details of the trip to Telskyura.

The brief and bloody fight to clear the monsters had left the area littered with enough dead monsters to keep all but the most aggressive critters away from us as we cleaned up all the gold from the ritual circle. It was a bit cumbersome to pack away, but thanks to the JSDF's extra durable equipment, a couple of wire spools, and adventurers who could carry something like a car on their back so long as it was balanced properly, it was done, done well and done quickly.

Tuka was instrumental in keeping further monster casualties from happening. Her sleep spell was getting a lot of use, and with the help of Yao, we (the adventurers) didn't have to kill a single monster aside from a couple of mosquitoes.

The clean up done, with each of us now sporting a backpack loaded with a reasonable amount of stuff depending on the strength of the person carrying it, we started on our way to the Amazon city.

Due to the pace, and the need to attract as little attention as possible, there was little breath to waste on words. We made no fires, slept only when we could no longer see, and ate while we travelled. We got rained on twice, the humidity when it wasn't raining made me feel like I was losing weight just by sweating, there were just as many mosquitoes as ever, and the anti-magic moss was making the magic users of the party a little light headed.

So basically everyone but Itami, Rory and Aisha.

But, even with four 'normal' people, we were making really good time. Except for a couple of quick encounters, the monsters weren't bothering us. No one suffered more than a couple of scratches, and aside from a few bits of really rough terrain, no one needed to be carried.

I was honestly very impressed. Not just with Itami, who managed to still look like a Lazy Ant the entire way while still showing off that he did indeed take all kinds of field craft training. But with Tuka and Lelei. Yao was obviously an experienced warrior, but apparently over 300 years old! But Tuka, from all I'd heard so far, was still in her 'teen-aged' years by her race's standards, and Lelei, well, she looked like an adorable cream puff.

Being curious, I asked, and they told me they joined the JSDF regularly for the morning exercises. And while they didn't do the really hard core stuff, like combat training, and occasionally skipped a day here and there, they'd been doing so when ever they were on base, and not roaming about with Itami on special missions.

The only really important thing that happened on the way there was a small conversation with Rory...

"Your turn." I heard as someone gave the tip of one of my tails a tug.

Not really able to do more than 'rest with purpose' in this heat and humidity, I was awake instantly. Carefully, I moved across the 'sleeping net' we'd hung from the trees and slipped off to the ground below. "Rory." I nodded to her, reaching out and gripping one of the many frills on her dress before she could climb up into the hammock.

"Hm?"

"How are you feeling?" I asked quietly, leaning close so I didn't have to do more than whisper.

Thankfully she was just as courteous for those sleeping, and replied with a quiet, "I don't get tired, and sleep is something I do for appearances mostly. Or boredom."

"No injuries that aren't healing? Weird sensations? Weakness? Gaps in your abilities?" I asked.

"Worried about me?"

"Different world, different 'rules'. Apostles and Adventurers both have their power gifted to them by the Gods, but not all of it is compatible." I looked up to where Itami was on the net, "I'm asking now, because if someone wants to fight for 'ownership' of Itami, you'll be the one doing it."

She seemed to understand my intention, "I'm healing a little slower." She admitted quietly, putting her hand near a cut in her nice frilly dress and a little line of dried blood, "And my weapon is simply metal now."

"And now you know why." I said, "Get some sleep, we're almost there."

We were about an hour away from Telskyura's wall when we encountered our first Amazons. Unsurprising, they were armed, dangerous, and out hunting. But, they hardly bothered us, even with Itami there. Either they knew, or they were far too focused on doing something important, like finding food.

So, it was two days after we'd moved the Gate, that we once again returned to the Amazon city, almost as miserable feeling as when we'd left this world to deal with the Gate. But at least our greeting this time was a little warmer.

"Oh! You came back!" As we finally got through the underbrush at the edge of the cleared area in front of the massive tree wall, a young voice called out to us, "Oh, and you have other people too?"

"They have children guarding the city?" Tuka asked.

Ryuu replied with a quiet, "Any one of them is at least twice as strong as Itami."

I waved to the Mini-zon who greeted us, seeing that it was the same one who was on top of the wall when I'd gone up with Amani when we'd arrived, "Yeah. The problem has been dealt with. We'd like to make a little stop here before heading to Orario." I made a point to heft my pack a little, "And we've got a little to trade as well this time too."

Itami was about to say something, sighed, then looked at Rory.

"Yes you may." Rory said with a catlike smile.

"How long are we staying?" He asked quietly.

"Long enough to deliver payment for Roku, get a little food, water, and dump a few buckets of water over our heads." Aisha said, "Right?"

"If nothing goes wrong, yes." I nodded. I turned back to the Mini-zon, "Gonna let us in? We'll need a guide again though."

"Sure!" She turned back, "HEY! OPEN THE GATE!" Then to us again, "You can get a guide from the inside."

"Thank you." I motioned for the others to follow as I started forward.

"Say... Where's the metal cat?"

"Already back in Orario, sorry." I smiled, "I'll let him know you said hello though. He'll deny it, but he likes being popular."

(Two days ago, at the Ruined Castle)

After a rather flashy entrance, filled with light, weird air warping effects, and even a cool sounding 'vvvvvvwarrrrrp!' noise, the Gate had appeared. The Roman styled structure was a little dirty though, the once clean walls spotted with blood spatter, soot, and a few bits of insect bile. But otherwise, it was just as impressive as always.

With bated breath, everyone present waited for something to emerge from the unnatural darkness inside the Gate. Some however, even with the promise that it would be safe, gripped the hilts or hafts of their weapons, ready to draw them if things didn't go as planned. But that was just how adventurers did things.

The first through the Gate was someone familiar to all but the most oblivious of Orario residents. Unique in any world he graced, Hagane was the first through the Gate, his gleaming red body stalking through as if this were just any other day. You know, just like a cat.

The first thing he said however, got everyone's attention, "Do not be alarmed, and back up." As usual, he sounded like he didn't care if you listened or not, but he was well known in Orario as someone who always said what they meant.

So while everyone backed up, the next thing arrival appeared. Again, hands went to weapons, but then relaxed a little when they took a moment to realize what they were seeing.

"Hey Orario! We're back!" Maki said as rode in on the Mama Dragon. With her mount stomping forward casually, looking around much like a horse might, people relaxed a little more.

From there, it went a little smoother. Next, with Giselle in one of the driver seats, the wagons with Kodori's 'loot' came through. Four wagons of dragon related 'loot' and other such things gathered while there. These were driven to the side, by not only Giselle who was obviously not human, but also Delilah the Warrior Bunny, one of the Volralden Militia (the captain of the 'local asset' militia no less), and one of his Leonoid lieutenants. A clear display of racial diversity.

Royman knew a political play when he saw it, but nodded approval. He already knew about this, but seeing was believing, and this would go a long way to establishing a little common ground between worlds.

Then, with an unfamiliar rumble of diesel engines, a pair of Humvee rolled through. These were 'combat' models, with a back mounted .50 cal turret. They were also surrounded by a squad of fully armed JSDF. They weren't running though, but marching in lockstep with the slow roll of the Humvee.

Once they'd rolled clear of the Gate's entrance, one last group came through. Duran, in full armour once more and mounted on his personal land dragon. To his left and right were two of his personal guard, but instead of land dragons, they were mounted on wyvern, the winged beasts walking just as easily as their land born cousins, with the long edges of their 'under arm' wings pointed upwards like flags to either side of the riders.

Once they'd cleared the Gate, Arpeggio stepped out of the passenger side of one of the Humvee.

And all at once, everyone on the other side of the Gate was represented.

Then, from the passenger side of the other Humvee, Koji Sugawara stepped out, dressed in a perfectly pressed suit and tie. Seeing his cue, Royman stepped forward, the two of them approaching someplace in the middle.

Before introductions were given, both Fels and Arpeggio used a little magic. To those of arcane inclination, they would have noticed that they were using two different versions of the same spell, realized they were doing it, then with a slight bow, Fels stepped back and let her go about it instead of potentially screwing things up with mystical interference.

Royman didn't lead with words, but instead an extended hand. While Sugawara accepted the hand and shook, Takemikazuchi stepped forward as well, his handsomely calm face smiling slightly as one of the JSDF stepped forward as well, acting as a 'second'.

Due to Arpeggio's spell, everyone heard Royman say, (in a rather crisp Eastern), "We welcome you to Orario, visitors from another world."

This was followed by Takemikazuchi putting his back to Royman, and repeating it for those who didn't understand. This got many raised eyebrows from the visitors, since while it wasn't Japanese, they perceived it as such. The others from the Gate instead heard it as their own native language.

"We've been told many things about Orario, and hope our dealings, however brief, are positive." Sugawara said smoothly, "My name is Koji Sugawara, and I am the lead diplomat for the JSDF. This man to my left is..."

Both leaders knew that 'the people' would get bored if things didn't move along. So while introductions were made, they were brief. It would have been impossible to introduce everyone, to everybody, and not have the apocrypha happen before they were done.

But once the basics were covered, and some of the simple formalities were observed, some simple ground rules were made.

The JSDF were given permission to set up a simple base and shelter on this side of the Gate. A guild representative (those two clip board wielding members) would be present at all times to assist with communication and coordination.

The JSDF were guests, and were to conduct themselves as such. The laws of Orario were pretty simple by Earth's standards, so it really boiled down to 'if it's something you don't want to happen to you, don't do it to someone else'.

The JSDF could explore the city and its surroundings freely. But this came with the warning that the wild animals around here could be VERY wild. And while animal attacks were rare, they did happen. If they wanted to visit the city, escort would be provided, but not money. For the moment, any expenditure would be covered and recorded by the Guild.

In the middle ground, if the JSDF needed extra hands to set up a base and shelter, it would be provided, this was simply a gesture of good will, since being a good host meant providing for basic needs.

Countered by the JSDF, was the wish to trade. Permission was granted of course, though it was suggested that they wait just a little while so that the city could warm up to them a little. This would also give the two sides time to figure out what could be traded since both parties had different wants and needs.

Royman agreed that all traffic back through the Gate would be handled by the JSDF. They DID run a secure military base on the other side after all.

And lastly, the Dungeon, for the moment, was off limits. Any information the JSDF wanted about the dungeon was available, but for the moment, entry was denied.

It was all very polite, but because of Kodori they were basically doing all this for show. Both Royman and Sugawara knew what to expect and all that remained was showing that both sides were reasonable people.

Royman and Sugawara shook hands once again, and Royman turned back to face the people of Orario who had been watching, "It's my hope that we can all get along, and we welcome our visitors openly. I am sure there will be many opportunities to learn from one another in the coming days, until they depart once more."

Sugawara essentially repeated the same thing for the JSDF, and together they had themselves a bit of a cheer.

"Now, let's not crowd them any longer. Those who are here are responsible for informing their Familia about this, and in a few days, Lord Ouranos will address the entire city." Royman finished, prompting the onlookers to start backing up and disperse.

A few of the adventurers stayed behind of course. Fels and Riviera for starters. They had business with Arpeggio, and discreetly moved to the side, making eyes at her so she'd come join them. Hagane and Maki, as well as Giselle, Duran and his two guards went off to the side by the wagons. They were met by Takemikazuchi, Haruhime and Mikoto. A few moments later, Ganesha joined that group as well.

Far at the back however, avoided by all those around him as he simply stood there, was Ottar.

"I am not impressed." Ottar mumbled, as if to himself.

Loaner, still in his hand and suffering through sub-par but well meaning headpats, replied with a sincere, "You don't need to be impressed, you just need to understand. The JSDF are professionals, just like the adventurers of Orario, who make up for their lack of personal strength with tools and innovation. My final message is as follows."

And in Kodori's voice, as if said just behind his left ear, Ottar heard, "They are warriors like us, where people were the only other monsters left to fight. When I return, if you wish, we can discuss this over tea."

Ottar looked down at Loaner, nodded, and set him down on a nearby bit of broken castle wall. "When she returns then." And he left, walking back towards Orario with the inevitability of a glacier.

Loaner's tail flailed about happily for a second, then with a little hop he darted over towards the returned members of the Hearthstone Manor.

Over at by the dragons and the wagons, Maki was introducing the Mama Dragon to everyone. Though, to be fair, the dragon was already pretty friendly, giving everyone who got within reach a sniff and if they extended a hand, a friendly nudge.

Except Ganesha. The LOUD AND PROUD GOD of THE PEOPLE! (once he saw that the dragon was friendly) gave it's big beaky head a hug.

"Ganesha likes this one!" He said, letting the dragon's face go and giving the bony upper jaw/beak a friendly rub, "You have many of these in your world?!" He had no problem keeping his balance as the Mama Dragon nudged him for more attention, the large creature seemingly well aware of its strength.

Natives of both worlds were at a bit of a loss on how to deal with Ganesha, but Duran 'aherrrmed' "Yes Sir." He said, faltering a moment as he considered how to address a God. Lord? Sir? By name? "These eggs here, are from both land dragons and wyvern. They are highly valued, but Lady Kodori and her party have earned them through word and deed."

"Ganesha-sama, this is Lord Duran, a king from the other world." Maki introduced them, "And while they aren't nearly as strong as our local monsters, they are quite intelligent and take the place of horses in some cases."

"I'm actually kind of curious about the local dragons." Giselle chimed in, walking away from the wyvern, "Hi, I'm Giselle, um... I was told I'm kind of like an adventurer, except not really?"

The two Gods looked at her, but of course it was Takemikazuchi who spoke (since you know, GANESHAAAAAA), "I think... I understand what you mean yes. We were told a little of the 'Apostles' by Kodori. She spoke quite highly of you as well."

"Really?" Giselle said, surprised, and blushing red enough to see despite her blue skin, "Well, um... I'll thank her when she gets back... But yeah... I'm also the local expert when it comes to dragons!" Back on a topic she knew, she spoke confidently, "If you wanted some help, I can tell you all about how to care and feed for these guys when they hatch."

"GANESHA would like that very much!" Because yes, he would like that very much. "I am sure ONE OF MY FAMILIA can escort us back home!"

This of course prompted a few of the Ganesha guards who were hanging about to come over, give the drivers a nod and motion for them to start following the trail of other adventurers back to Orario. Ganesha joined them, but before he got more than a couple of steps the Mama Dragon nudged him until he got onto her back.

Now watching Ganesha make silly poses from the back of a dragon, the others sighed. "He is a God of this world, but..." Duran was trying to be diplomatic, but was at a loss for words.

Takemikazuchi nodded, "As exasperating as he is, he is indeed a fellow God. I count him as a friend assuredly, despite his quirks."

Haruhime, all 151cm of her, looked way up at Duran, "Duran-san, Ko-san told me about you, and if you wish to join us on our return home, you would be welcome." A moment later, to add to the effect of being an adorable cinnamon roll that was made of steel, Loaner jumped into her arms, adding to the effect of 'wise fox eyes' pointed at Duran.

Duran, who was slightly taller than Kodori, looked down at Haruhime, blinked, then smiled, "I understand now, why Lady Kodori said she had no need to describe you. It would have fallen short no matter how much she tried." Because of his leg, he had to settle for a simple Japanese styled bow, "I would be honoured to join you."

"My Lord?" One of the two wyvern riders called out respectfully.

"Stay and help the JSDF, and keep them grounded. Until we're properly introduced, they'd likely get shot down." Duran said back to his guards, "I have no doubt I'll be safe with them."

"Heh, I hope Gros doesn't mind a guest." Hagane said, looking over at Duran's dragon. "I will follow shortly. Unless you wanted to talk to them Maki?"

'Them' meant Itami's old squad, the Third Recon, who were waiting by the Humvee and setting up some simple things and taking in the sights as best they could while standing by the Gate with Sugawara.

"No need to choose, let's both go." She looked to Haruhime.

"Don't be long, it's taco night." Haruhime smiled.

Shino, like the rest of Third Recon (except Soichiro who was talking with Sugawara) were rubbernecking like crazy. You would think the thrill of 'being in a new world' would wear off, but no. The air smelled different, the sky was a slightly different shade of blue, the architecture was oddly similar...

Oh, and there was a GIANT SILVER TOWER a little ways off in the distance.

"Surprised me too." Maki greeted, walking over to Shino and the rest, "Didn't want to just walk away before saying anything."

"So that's Babel?" Shino asked, "It's... I'd say 'impossible' but after the last couple of years, I know better."

"I can't wait until we get to actually visit." Katsumoto said looking down at Shino, "You'd fit right in here, Tiny." The big weapon specialist chuckled.

Instead of riling to the joke about her height or her near fanatical joy about engaging in close combat, she grinned back up at him, "Damn right! I wanna meet that Welf guy Kodori-san kept mentioning."

"Well, when you get clearance from whoever deals with that, I'm sure you'll get to visit." Maki said, "No hard feelings?"

The Third Recon looked at Maki and Hagane. They all knew now that Kodori was from Earth, Maki too. But they also understood why they didn't tell them. So it was with a bit of a shrug they all waved it off, "No problem." Shino nodded, "But if you still feel bad, I'd love to spar with you some more."

"Just when you've gotten used to men beating their chests..." Hagane said, "Just take the warnings we gave you seriously. Just like any world, the politics make things needlessly complicated. Except here, people deal with politics after the stabbing."

"Yeah, we're all just following orders, right?" Shino sighed, "Take care and see you soon, Maki-chan."

The two shared a salute, "Ah, before you go." Sugawara caught them just as they turned to leave, "Who's that?"

Maki followed the pointed finger, and spotted Arpeggio, Fels and Riveria. "Ah, the one in black is Fels, the one Kodori got Lelei in contact with. The lady next to him is Riveria of Loki Familia. She's in the top three of the most powerful spell casters in the city. But before you go over there, don't try and look into Fels's hood."

"It would be awkward to try and explain why you went back home insane." Hagane said.

The three mages, while all that had been going on, had been talking shop. Arpeggio had already been 'warned' about Fels, so she held on to her curiosity for now. But otherwise, they were simply talking a little magical theory.

"I see." Riveria, the most powerful, but least educated, nodded, "Your world seems to have diverged more from straight spell casting and into theory."

"Our need to suppress the monsters of the Dungeon required us to simplify things. A monster won't wait for you to draw a complex diagram after all." Fels nodded sagely.

"Well, we don't have that much of a problem with monsters no." Arpeggio said, "And the magical education system we have is very competitive. Research is expensive, and there is only so much money to go around. So we are all VERY motivated to discover new fields and applications for magic."

It was here that Sugawawa stepped up to the conversation, "Arpeggio-san, and you two are Fels and Riveria?" He bowed, "Koji Sugawara." He then looked to Arpeggio, "Your Japanese has improved tremendously."

"We call it Eastern here." Fels said, "And yes, I was curious about that as well. You seemed to improve by leaps and bounds during our study sessions while we worked out how to do 'this'." He motioned to the Gate and all the runic magical gobbledygook scribbled into the walls and floor of the castle courtyard.

"Our Gods work a little differently here. They have no physical presence like they do here." Arpeggio explained, "I don't know much myself, but those who follow Ral, or 'La' as most call her, seem to have a knack for language."

"Ahhh, your middle name." Fels nodded, "I understand now."

"Yes, kind of how you name yourself with your Familia." Arpeggio agreed, then to Sugawara, "Was there a problem?"

"Not at all. We are going to start making trips back and forth to start setting up here." He said, "If you wanted to return for now, or stay, now's the time to decide." Normally, he would be far more formal, but he'd been told that 'plain speaking' was much better received by adventurers than being all flowery and formal. No, that mode of speech would be for the Gods.

"I want to stay... but I think it would be best if I returned for tonight. Maybe get some things and come back, so I can study properly."

The two adventurers nodded, "When you do return, please, let us know and we can meet in the city. I won't speak for them, but you likely have an open invitation to the Hearthstone Manor, Lady Kodori's home." Fels looked to Sugawara, "You as well, when duty allows."

"My orders dictate that I wait for her return." Sugawara shook his head, "However, if you do visit, Arpeggio-san, you'll need an escort since you are one of our specialists."

"Okay. Until later, Mr. Fels, Miss Riveria."

(Back in Telskyura)

Since we had no wagon or horses, the big gate was opened just enough to let us in, then shut again to keep the jungle out. Once inside, I ignored our guests as they tried to look at everything (I'll admit, as 'simple' as this city was, it took a lot of creativity to make it work) and met the eyes of one of the inner gate guards.

I didn't know her, but apparently she knew me, and ran up to our group. Even at maybe ten years old, she was already giving Itami 'the look' one gives a lesser creature. "Welcome back to Telskyura, Kodori of Hestia Familia." She didn't bow, but planted the butt of her spear into the ground and tapped her free hand against her chest, "You require a guide and place to stay?"

"We are only here long enough to clean up a little, maybe take a nap, and drop off something. If our business takes too long, we'll be here a single night." I looked back at the group, "Okay, yes, we'll need a spot for a night. Can someone run a message for me?"

"I can." She nodded, then looked back at the other half dozen girls, "Guide!"

One of them jogged forward, and she might have been like... seven years old. Even at this age, it was clear there was a pecking order among them.

"And the message?" The leader asked.

"I need someone to find Jarha. Tell her where I'll be, that I'll be here until tomorrow at first light, and if she wants what I brought for her, she better get her ass down here to pick it up. She's the only one of her room I will give it to." I said, "Understood?"

She nodded, "I am fairly certain her Room went out today, so at best she'll be here at sun down."

"That's fine. We've just spent two days out in the jungle to get here, and would like to sit down and have a warm meal or two" Yes, even me. Sure I was tough, but I'd readily admit I loved my silks and cottons. "Lead the way." I said to our guide.

Like good tourists, our group followed the spear wielding girl towards the same spot we'd occupied the last time. Of course, our 'other worlders' were having a bit of a chat about how... odd this place was.

"The trees here... I've never seen them so large." Tuka said, in awe, "I mean look! They've built rooms in them!"

"I've only seen one of this size." Yao said, "The great Spirit Tree. We wouldn't dare cut into it, but there is a large village built among the branches and roots."

"What about you, Itami?" Rory asked, not looking at the trees but the intricately terraced city.

"Closest thing I can think of are the Giant Redwoods. But even those have nothing on these..."

Unable to understand the conversation, our guide interrupted us, "You let the man talk?"

"He may not look like much, but he is very smart." I said, "It doesn't matter if you are a man or woman when it comes to knowledge."

While young and already showing signs of the usual 'Amazon mentality' she at least understood my meaning without riling. "What about them?" She motioned to the three elves, "Amazon and Elves never get along. And... I didn't know that they could look like that." She pointed to Yao.

"The world is vast." Ryuu said with a small smile, "Perhaps in a few years, you may visit Orario, and see more of it for yourself."

"I have to earn my right to travel first." She said with a sigh.

As luck (or the low frequency of visitors) would have it, the exact same spot was open again. "Ah, almost exactly how we left it, eh Fox?" Aisha laughed, "Including the little crater Shinkage made with Amani." She looked at our guide, "Are you sticking around, or letting us wander about?"

"Do you plan on going up into the Terraces?"

"Nah." Aisha shrugged, "Might wander the ground level though."

"Then I don't need to be here." She said, "But, we can't guarantee your safety if you wander upwards."

"Understood." I nodded.

"I wasn't sure I should have believed Roku when I read his report." Itami said as our Guide went back to her post. She couldn't have been much older than what? Seven? Eight years old?"

"It is much weaker than Rory, but she still has the feeling of an Apostle." Lelei said, "This city has many interesting adaptations for the shape of the land. Do those lifts use nothing but gravity to move? What of the lack of metals? How old does one have to be to accept a 'God's Gift'?"

The other Girls sighed, as did Itami, but Ryuu Aisha and I smiled, "We'll explain later." I said, "Does anyone want to get started on lunch? Aisha? Want to give them an explanation?"

Aisha nodded, but Ryuu asked, "Were you going somewhere?"

"I'm going to take some of the stuff we won't need on the leg back to Orario and trade it for something other than dried snake." I said, "I figure we'll end up with a chow line again, so might as well make it tasty." I looked at our Guests from the other world, "We'll leave tomorrow at dawn, so make sure to clean up, rest and recover."

I returned from my little shopping trip with a little less than I'd hoped. To be fair, I was trading things to the 'poor' and most of them wouldn't need things for surviving the Jungle. The reason they were down here at 'ground level' was because they'd failed in the jungle, so our extra equipment was of little use compared to say, food for the next few days.

But that wasn't the only reason I had gone to look for something other than snake to throw into our cooking pot. I was starting to wonder if I'd find her, but thankfully she hadn't gotten herself killed.

"You came back." The Crone we'd met last time said as I stepped away from another cobbled together shelter, a leg of smoked something that wasn't snake, in hand.

"I did." I nodded, putting the food into my all purpose pouch and walking up to her, "While it might not matter to you, our trip was successful, and we're stopping here for a night to recover, then return to Orario."

"You're right, it doesn't matter to me. But it's good you succeeded at what ever it was you were about." She was still walking with her cane, but there was far less of a limp in her gait.

"How are you feeling? I see your leg isn't bothering you as much." I motioned for her to follow me, "We're going to do another soup line, if you wanted to join us?"

"My legs are much better, thank you." She nodded, hobbling with purpose beside me, "Quite a bit better. My arm however... I'm not sure."

"We can take a look when we get there."

"More elves. Wonderful." The Crone sighed, then stopped, her eyes going wide, "So it was true!"

"Yes." Ryuu said before I could, "No self respecting elf would raise a city out there."

Aisha laughed, making our Guests wonder what was so funny. Her reply was to say, in Eastern, "Ryuu made a joke."

"But I wasn't joking?" Ryuu couldn't keep the smile off her face though, "But yes, they are from the other side of the Gate, but it's no longer in the Jungle."

"When I heard more of why you were here, and what you said to that insufferable cock craving twat Jarha, I thought you were insane." She looked to Yao, then Tuka, "Similar, but not like the elves of our world, no..." Then to Rory and Itami, "And I know a religious weapon when I see one, and we have no God here with that icon."

"Going to introduce us?" Rory asked.

While our late lunch cooked, we explained a bit of what went on before we'd left Telskyura the first time. It didn't take long, but while Aisha stirred the pot and filled the humid air with the scent of stew, I gave the Crone a bit of a check up.

To put it plainly, she was well on the way to a full recovery. Her current rate of healing, judging from what I knew of the amazing Adventurer metabolism, put her at at least level three, maybe early level four. The scars (which horrified everyone but Rory) were already fading, and I assured her that the feverish feeling from the stump of her arm was normal. Usually, that would signify an infection, but in this case it wasn't that the cells were heating up to kill bacteria, but heating up because they were regenerating even faster than normal. It would still be at least half a year before something resembling a hand would grow from the stump, but it would.

Her leg on the other hand, was basically cured. She still had a little stiffness, but that was more that her muscles were readjusting to being able to move as they used to. She even admitted the cane was mostly for show, and gave her an excuse to carry a weapon without looking like she was.

After the checkup, I helped her put the fur cape back on and personally held her bowl as she got the first serving of soup.

"Seems the lunch line is done just in time." I said, watching the last of our 'customers' leave as people started to come through the city gate off in the distance.

"Think she'll come?" Aisha asked.

"If not, it's not like I can't use the metal at home." I shrugged, "How are you all feeling?" I looked at Itami and the girls, "Lelei?"

"snrr" She'd fallen asleep while sitting up, the shadows over her face making it look like her eyes were still open.

"Probably the first big meal she's eaten in days." Itami said, "Hm, it looks like its going to rain, do we have a way to keep off the ground?"

"I've done many days of hard travel before, but none of it in a jungle like that." Yao admitted, "I'm looking forward to a night of proper sleep."

"We can hang a net like before." Aisha said, "And one of the tarps. It will be a little cozy but I'm sure Itami won't mind."

Poor Itami looked nervous but seemed to have just accepted his lot in life. "At least we're all clean." He said, "Wore a hole through my socks though."

"I told you to bring a fresh pair Papa." Tuka said, exasperated. "I even laid them out for you!"

"And I am wearing them." He said, "What's the road to Orario like?"

"It's actually a road, for one." Aisha chuckled, "And once we get to the swamps, almost nothing will be able to sneak up on us."

"But it is at least eight days at a fast pace." Ryuu said, "Unless we ran." She looked at me.

"Now that we're here, that might be a..." I felt hostility in the air around me, and both Aisha and Ryuu perked up and looked towards the city gate, then upwards towards the terraces. Rory went on high alert as well, "Get your backs to the wall." I said, standing up, "We might have a problem."

There wasn't a sudden attack. No arrows, no scream of challenge. But as soon as Itami picked up Lelei, and Yao and Tuka started to move towards the city wall, a dozen Amazon basically fell from the sky, landing at the foot of the Terraces. A few I knew, like Jarha and a couple of her roommates.

But also among them was that Amazon we'd interrogated alongside Brisid.

But the ones that had my full attention were two Amazon who stood out among the others. I could tell, just by the way they carried themselves that they were strong. And sisters. The one standing in front had long hair, wore the usual revealing 'armour' that most Amazon wore, and aside from a heavy metal ring that dangled at the end of her long braided hair, she carried a pair of simple looking curved knives. At first glance, they looked like the Kukri that Tione carried, but no, they were curved the 'proper' way. She also wore a short red skirt of dragon scale around her hips, hardly enough to really protect anything, it was still dragon scale.

The other one had shoulder length sandy white hair, and the bottom half of her face was covered by black cloth. Aside from the usual 'Amazon Armour' that threatened to have her breasts jump out if she walked down the stairs too fast, she also carried a pair of curved knives at her hips, but seemed to have no other weapons.

At my side, Aisha said, "Argana and Bache. The captains of the Kali Familia." That meant these two were level Six, the only two who'd ever reached that height outside of Orario.

Argana, at least, I assumed it was her name as she was the one in front and named first, spoke. Her voice was a little grating, and had the same pitch and tone as Akeno's before I'd broken her of the habit of being cruel to her opponents. "It seems your life in the city hasn't diminished your memory at all." She tilted her head a little to the side, looking at me, "Our missionary here tells me you have something that belongs to us."

In the back, I saw the Amazon Brisid had almost killed by accident smile a cruel smile. It was the exact smile a little sister would use when they called on their big sister to come to school to handle a bully.

NOTES!

The return to Orario might be delayed a tiny bit due to... diplomatic breakdown.

Daeore on Ko-fi for character art and my donation cup.

Daeore on Inkitt for my actual book, Were Too?