Alvec

Jai-Najan was about as large as a Jai could get before it started encroaching upon being labeled a Sha. It felt like it was only a matter of time until his home crossed that threshold. While a river town in technicality, the elevation on both sides meant that the singular bridge over it was suspended at least two dozen feet over the surging river. In addition to being a tall bridge, it was also very sturdy and thick, built by dwarven craftsmen and designed to last. During the wars, this town had been a strategic asset due to the bridge, which allowed quick and easy crossing of one of the Empire's mighty rivers.

The storms that Boogie and the Boar Eaters had informed them had driven more traffic to the town than Alvec had seen in a long while. He frowned a bit as he rode up front with Illaria. It meant that dad would be working late today. Some small part of him wanted to find a way to shut the bridge down after they gained entry, but he couldn't come up with a combination of spells that would do the trick without permanently harming the bridge. The passage over the bridge took a while; no doubt his father was being his usual thorough self. Goods had to be accounted for, and if needed, taxes assessed. The man was good at making that happen and ensuring it was done fairly and correctly. While many may have wished to get past without paying the taxes, to do so would invite more frequent audits of the town by royal surveyors. Nobody really wanted that.

After nearly an hour of waiting, it was finally their turn. Illaria was the first to set eyes on the man before them. He was a modestly dressed Tiefling with fading coal black hair and green eyes. His clothing wasn't particularly fancy, but it was clearly cut from sturdy material. His ram horns and thin tail were so very similar to Alvec's, but the shade of his skin was a few shades more red than Alvec's. "The fee for the bridge is a silver per cart. If you're carrying cargo, additional taxes are also to be paid. Do you have anything to declare?" The man asked, eyeing the two wagons. Before Illaria could respond, Echo trotted up to the man and sat before him.

To Illaria's amusement, the man didn't so much as budge as Echo sniffed at him and then licked his face. "Just so you know, I don't take bribes or give discounts. Threats don't go over well either."

"Sorry about him!" Naya called out before snapping her fingers and recalling Echo to her side. "Wasn't meant as either!" The man nodded to her.

"Once more, I ask, do you have anything to declare?"

"Only that I don't have any cargo to pay for yet, but next time I come home, I'll be sure to have an entire cart of alchemical supplies to be assessed," Alvec said as he stood up from his position on the second cart. He grinned ear to ear. "Surprise."

"Alvec! What are you doing here? I just got a message from your grandfather updating me on your exploits a few days ago. You fought against Crowley? Your mother is pissed. You didn't even send a letter telling us what you were up to. We've had to get all of our news secondhand!"

Alvec laughed nervously. "I'm sorry about that, we've been swamped. I'll regale you with the tail over dinner tonight. Does that sound good?" he asked.

"It's the least you'll have to do to appease your mother. She should be at home; you might want to head right there. The sooner you catch her today, the sooner her scolding will end. Now pay your two silver and skip along." He said, holding out his hand. Alvec quickly complied, placing the two coins in his father's hands.

"We'll see you for dinner. Want anything in particular?" Alvec asked.

"Just make sure there is enough for everyone, including the animal companion."

"Don't worry, Dad, I will," Alvec said before hopping back onto a wagon, choosing to hop onto the one with Illaria at the front. "I'll guide us to my home." He said as they began to roll into the town proper, leaving Alvec's father to continue to collect the toll on the bridge.

"He seems like a nice enough man," Illaria said.

"He's stubborn about the rules. Always has been." Alvec confirmed.

It wasn't a long ride by wagon before they arrived at a modest wooden house. Come to think of it, most of the buildings here were made of wood, and the construction looked rather new. Illaria turned to her companion and asked the question on her mind. "This town was nearly destroyed in the anarchy, wasn't it?"

"Astute observation," Alvec replied as he disembarked from the wagon. "Most of the stone structures were damaged beyond repair. Only the academy and a few of the richest families here were rebuilt with stone. Most everyone else used wood. Being a trade town, they never built the sort of defensive structures that Sha-Laial had." Without missing a beat, Alvec walked to the door and hammered at it a few times. "Mom, if you don't come answer the door, I'm going to let myself and my friends in," Alvec shouted as Rem climbed down him and ran circles around his legs. "Also, be prepared for Rem to lose his mind a bit! He's already running in circles." A few moments passed before a human woman, a half-head shorter than Alvec, opened the door. She had soft, mousy brown hair loosely braided into a ponytail. Her clothing was simple, a white tunic and a blue half cape.

She swooped down and grabbed Rem, flipping him on his back and cradling him like a baby. "Alright, come on in. You've sure brought a lot of people with you this time Alvec. Pardon the mess; we had no idea anyone would be stopping in. I'm Melina, Alvec's mother. Does anyone need anything to drink? Water, maybe a little wine?" She beamed a broad smile that matched her sons. "It's been a while since we've hosted anyone, and never on Alvec's behalf. He's an earnest and shy boy; he's never brought any friends over. Certainly never such distinguished and exotic company. Let alone three different young ladies. Do tell me, do any of you happen to be betrothed to him? The dashing lady with the hair like sunset, would you happen to share any sort of relationship with my son?" She asked playfully, smiling at her.

Illaria took a half step back as if contemplating the question far more seriously than anyone expected. She didn't share that sort of relationship with Alvec. Nor anyone else, for that matter, but for the first time in the better part of years, she could actually afford to entertain the thought. "No, Alvec and I don't share that sort of relationship. He's a great friend, and I am glad to call him such, but we are not paramours." She answered, returning a bright smile.

"Alright then, what about this adventurous girl here with the two swords. You seem a little younger but look like the gambling sort."

"Um, Alvec, does your mother always ask such personal questions?" Naya asked as she, too, backpedaled as she tried to think. "I've got too many things going on to pursue any romances." She said.

"Shame, Ivy Day is just around the corner; if you change your mind, be sure to make him something," Malina said. A spark of fire seemed to light behind her eyes as she zeroed in on Sarbie hiding at the back of the crowd outside the door. "Now, what do we have here?" She said as she practically danced around Sarbie, circling like a hawk. "Demure, with the look of a nervous bookworm, with a symbol of Kushang around her neck." She clasped her hands together. "Please tell me it's actually her; she's my favorite. Come in, come in. We've got plenty to talk about," she said as she placed her hands on Sarbie's upper back and dragged her into the house proper, pushing past everyone else.

"Mom, could you stop harassing my friend," Alvec asked. "I'm not romantically involved with any of them," Alvec stated.

"Oh, Alvec sweetie, don't bluff with me, the house always wins."

"It's not a bluff."

"It's cute that you're trying to say that with a straight face, but she's wearing your clothing. Would you care to explain that? Or should I just keep drawing my own conclusions?" Melina asked with a mischievous grin.

"It's not like that, I'm just responsible for her. I was just trying to keep her safe."

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"Uh-huh, not exactly a denial."

Illaria's laughter punctured the playful banter. "So this is the sort of woman who raises a man like you? It all makes oh-so much sense now."

"Oh, are my son and I very alike?" Melina asked as she turned her attention back behind her.

"Very. Perceptive, deductive, and daring. I be reminded of the time he threw himself face-first into a slithering Ooze. It was quite the gamble."

"Dear, you left that bit out of your letters. Care to enlighten me inside over a cup of tea?"

Alvec slumped his shoulders and followed Melina and Sarbie inside. The rest of the group followed along shortly behind him. The house itself was very modestly furnished. A thick, worn table sat at the center of the kitchen. There weren't enough place settings at the table to accommodate everyone, but that wouldn't stop their hosts. She firmly placed Sarbie into a seat and quickly rushed to another room, returning with a few more chairs. "Who wants tea? Or is this more of a coffee group?" Melina asked.

"I'll take the coffee; you can keep the leaf juice," Mavec said.

"As if the bean juice be any better." Illaria sniped back.

"Mom, just make a couple of cups of each; we'll sort it all out," Alvec said as he placed himself deliberately beside Sarbie and between where his mother would no doubt sit. There were two quick flares of red light from the stove before she returned with piping-hot liquids for all to enjoy.

"That was fast," Naya said.

"My son is a brilliant enchanter. Did you think I didn't ask him for a few minor creature comforts?" Melina asked. She frowned at Alvec before flushing an even wider smile. She took her seat, allowing the boy his small victory. "So tell me, Alvec, what brings you home?"

He paused for a moment, contemplating the answer. One part opportunity. They needed to get to Sha-Laial as fast as possible, and the bridge offered them a quick passage. The other was that he wanted to make sure he warned his family about the events he was tied up in. If this continued so strangely, his parents needed to know how to defend themselves. The light that seemed to be the source of the mutations could be blocked out. Akrixi's smoke had been enough to starve it of its intended target. Perhaps hell's blood would gift his father the ability to at least defend himself and his mother. It was all Alvec could hope. With a frown, he resolved to give her the short version. The fewer details he gave, the less compromised she could be.

"So let me get this straight. There's a light that turns people into monsters, and you're trying to find a way to thwart it?" She rephrased.

"Yeah, that about sums it up," Mavec said.

"It be missin a few details, but I do be supposing that was intentional on Alvec's part," Illaria replied.

"I'm concerned about having this Ferrous Mercury sample in only one vial. We should split it up." Mavec said.

"Better, we should all carry something that looks right. I should be able to make a convincing fake." Alvec said.

"But how do we decide who carries the real ones?" Sarbie asked.

"Better yet, should we even know who has the real ones?" Naya asked.

"BAIT SAY WE WRESTLE FOR IT!"

"While that be a mighty fun idea, I think we might be able to find a better work around," Illaria said.

"Well, of course, we can; I already have an idea. Alvec, go to your room and cook up some fakes. Take the real one with you. Come back with all of them. I'll then distribute them. So long as you don't tell me which ones are real or fake, then I won't be able to know when I pass them around." She said with a smile. "And I can catch up with your friends while you work." Alvec grimaced but did what his mother suggested. Cooking up a convincing fake wasn't all that hard. The substance reminded him of a phenomenon called hydrophilia. The droplets seemed to stick together exceptionally well. Mimicking it would be a challenge, but he was sure he could still make a convincing fake. He divided the real one into two vials. So that if one were compromised, just maybe the other would survive. It was all they had of a substance that could save the world. If they couldn't secure the recipe, it would be up to Alvec and Mavec to recreate it from scratch. At least they had enough empty vessels back in Alusai's tomb to test any concoctions in.

Meanwhile, Melina offered food to the rest of the group, minus Bait, who had scampered off muttering something about searching for exotic cheese ingredients. "My son's written me a few times about the lot of you, but he's been rather tight-lipped about your adventures. Can you perhaps tell me a little about how you came to meet and what you've been up to? Let's start with you, Miss Illaria."

"I'm Illaria of the Blue Banner Armies Coffin Flotilla. I met Alvec at Cellocht's birthday party. I'd stuck with him because he's been an interesting young man with a penchant for getting himself into interesting situations with clever escapes." She replied. Melina nodded in approval.

"Now, while rescuing your family, did something strange happen to Alvec? His grandfather sent a message to us about it, which was unusual enough to begin with."

A look of pained guilt crossed her face as she decided to tell the truth to Melina. "Yes, one of the devils present seemed keen on Alvec." She shook her head from left to right.

"I figured as much; you needn't say more. Naya, what stories would you like to share?" Melina asked.

"Share, no. But I have a question." She said.

"Oh, sure, let's hear it," Melina said.

"Has your son always been this much of an idiot?"

"Naya, what the fuck? Alvec's one of the smartest men I know." Mavec said, rising to his defense.

"HE THREW HIMSELF INTO AN OOZE!" She shouted back.

Illaria let out a sigh. "Aye, he did do that. He belly-flopped right into one, set off all of his alchemist fire and acid, and got rocketed into the ceiling. If I be remembering correctly, it did work."

Melina let out a deep laugh that roiled up from her belly. "That's the thing, Naya. The difference between genius and stupidity is a razor-thin line. It's all just a roll of the dice, and he certainly gets it from me."

Naya raised an eyebrow in response. "You don't seem..."

"Let me cut you off there. Before I settled down and started helping out the Church of Kushang here in Jai-Najan, I frequently visited the casinos and bars. I lived for the thrill of the game. I knew the odds of each toss of the die, I could bluff the best of them around a card table, and I made a modest living doing it. Believe me, he gets his sense of adventure from me and most of his bookish seriousness from his father."

"If you don't mind me asking, if his father's such a bookish and serious person, how did you two ever get together? Do opposites really attract?" Illaria asked.

"Sometimes I think that might be it." She said with a coy smile. "Or perhaps I just like the fact that there's someone out there that will just tell me no. I've had plenty of bad ideas, and he's grounded me in all of them. Enough about me, however. There are still others to talk about. Mavec, do you have any stories you'd like to tell us?'

"Nah, I'll pass," Mavec said as he took a long drag on his cup of coffee.

"Alright, then we end with Sarbie here. My son's letters were short on details about you. Just that a cleric of Kushang had joined his adventuring party. So why the secrecy?" She asked.

"Because he was hoping I wouldn't need to get this involved."

"Care to elaborate?"

“I was just a cleric in Sha-Laial. I'd never even left the city, let alone thought about adventuring. I'd rather read a story about an adventure than be in one." She said.

"So why are you here?"

"Bad luck mostly."

"Would you rather be back home?"

Sarbie folded her hands over her lap and sat up properly for a moment. It was the big question. One which, in many ways, defined what she was in relation to this group of adventurers. To her friends. "While I'd be thrilled to be back home, I don't think, with what I know now, that I could go back to living the life I had lived. There's too much at stake, and I just can't turn a blind eye to it, as comforting as that may be."

"And we're thrilled to have you with us," Alvec said as he entered the room and handed his mother a box with six vials of liquid. They were identical at a glance and would do well for the second part of this plan. "Now, Mother, can we stop interrogating my friends?'

"Fine, I guess I'll stop harassing my favorite one. Yours too, by the looks of it." She said, giving him an exagerated wink as she stood up, grabbed the box full of vials, and brought it to another room. Alvec simply flushed a little more crimson on his cheeks.

Alvec did his best to avoid eye contact with Sarbie, not wanting to encourage his mother's insinuation. They were in the middle of a possibly world-ending event. This wasn't exactly the time to be talking about any sort of fancy. His willpower faltered, and he glanced at her, only to find her shyly peeking back at him. "Alright, you have those vials ready to be passed out?!" Alvec questioned loudly. A few moments later, his mother returned and distributed the half-full vials of shiny red liquid.

"I guess this is the safest way," Mavec said, nodding in agreement. "This way, if the Gold Banner Army is compromised and gets any of us, they may not actually get the real sample. Alvec knows what the fakes are made of, so while he can't tell at a glance if a vial is fake, he can test it to determine if it was one of the ones he made. This'll do."

Melina brought out a deck of cards and several dice. The group, minus Bait, played games and waited for dinner to be ready. The atmosphere was kept light, despite repeated attempts by Melina to needle Sarbie and Alvec even closer together.