The next few days were slow. First, Kiresula and Mayana spent a lot of time together in their beds. Moreso to have time to talk alone, to give each other massages and to plot about the future, but also to be wives to each other. Kju spent time in the Study reading some of the books and flirting with a maid, who seemed to be impervious to his charme but too polite to say so. They were recovering from their arduous journey from Memleket through all the twists and turns it took. They had gained friends, levels and scars and now took a breather to get themselves into shape again.

Strangely enough, it was the maid Djansu that set the group into motion. She mentioned at Kju how she had been questioned by someone from the secular administration about if she had known of any letters sent from this house. To her, it was just a funny story as to how clueless the administration was, but the group was on high alert. That evening, Haina came to their room and looked furious: “What in the green hills of sweet Anadolu did you send‽ The only reason Order agents are not currently breaking down our doors is that they have no idea who sent your letters!”

Kiresula shrugged: “We just wrote that we arrived happily and healthily in Ilkshehir. With some private additions. Like, I wrote how I missed my parents’ cooking, started gardening and learned a spell to keep food fresh.”

Mayana echoed the sentiments and added that she had written about some things of their journey, like stumbling into a rumrunner and later a dungeon.

Kju looked rather confused as well. “I did write to the Rainbow House, but only to say that I arrived well in Ilkshehir and relayed their messages to their glitchling recipients. And I made it seem like the messages were purely related to family matters.”

Haina rolled his eyes: “You really don’t get it, do you‽”

Kiresula shook her head: “Get what?”

Haina looked at them: “Of we take your three letters together, we know that a certain glitchling learned a spell, which can get the Holy Order really interested in you, you know it, right? Someone who should have known better kept good relations with a criminal out to subvert the moral fabric of Mabetshehir. And another glitchling generally preferred to subvert the postal system and thus the censors and spies.”

Kju shook his head: “There is no postal delivery to the glitchling settlements. Even for the Rainbow House, they want us to come to the Post Office once per week! So it’s not like we had a choice!”

Haina shook his head: “You look at this like a normal person. Not like people clinging to power and really not liking glitchlings.”

Kiresula shook her head: “I didn’t even mention that I was a glitchling in the letter! I didn’t even use my name, just ‘your daughter Kirey’!”

Haina raised an eyebrow: “That’s more foresight than I expected, unfortunately, with the address, they might still do inferences.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Kiresula raised her eyebrows: “So, are you saying that the glitchlings in Ilkshehir are at risk because of the writing?”

Haina looked confused at the question, until he realised where she came from: “Because they exchange information via couriers not mail? Not really. I heard nothing about the Holy Order planning against them. The secular administration prefers people to have more freedom, so that people do more commerce and their coffers are full. So this thing in particular might not enrage them too much.”

Kiresula shook her head: “I am worried about their wellbeing. I would love to get them to Jetahkalesa, so that they are in some synthic energy and cannot easily be attacked.”

Mayana shook her head: “That would lead to a massive struggle there! These groups are from different cultures. A few folks can be integrated. A huge group that outnumbers them? Fat chance!”

Kiresula looked embarrassed: “Good point. I don’t want to be involved in an ethnic struggle between Je-ashvehanuans and ethnic Mainlanders. Haina, is there any no-go area around here because of broken magic?”

Haina suddenly looked uncomfortable but nodded: “Several ones, actually. The closest one is the no-go area of the Black Lake. It’s about two days away from Ilkshehir. The Holy Order guards the area and sets up magical walls to protect it. Inside of the area is the lake as well as the ruins of Makhukali.”

Kiresula raised an eyebrow: “That sounds interesting, especially as it’s the second place that is around ruins. Is there enough space for agriculture?”

Haina made a vague gesture: “Depends on how many people need to go there.”

Kiresula looked at Haina: “Into just how much trouble would we get if we went there?”

Haina now looked less than happy: “It is technically not forbidden to go there… just risky… But… I am absolutely not accompanying you. I hope you are aware of that, yes?”

Kiresula nodded: “We can get there on our own feet.”

Haina nodded. “I am sure that you can. I am still amazed at times just how much better your group is compared to most glitchlings.”

Kju looked offended: “None of us is even past level 64. As of now, we are all ridiculously underpowered and underleveled. The fact that others didn’t have our advantages is completely irrelevant here! They will reach these levels as well! I want to reach the level cap in any of my classes and I want others to do so as well. I want there to be top-level glitchlings and I want the Holy Order to accept that they exist. And I want the Secular Government to accept that they exist! And I want every glitchling, Level 0 to Level 65’535, to have the same rights as every other person! Different systems but same rights!”

Kiresula nodded at Kju: “Well said! But… not the limit is not Level 255?”

Kju shakes his head: “Nope! Your local [Cleric] can confirm the limit!”

Kiresula breathed in and shuddered: “That’s one massive task in front of us!”

Kju smiled: “I think the Savage Dungeon needs to be visited a lot more often!”

Haina had only listened to the strange direction that the conversation took. Then he asked: “So,... you say… that normal glitchlings are like unclassed folks and you guys gained your classes?”

Mayana looked at him: “Yeah, kinda. There are more steps necessary because the blue system is still involved, but in general: yes.”

Haina breathed in audibly: “So, this is not a thing that is peculiar to three glitchlings but a thing all of them can reach?”

The glitchlings nodded.

Haina shook his head: “In this case, you need to visit another location before going to the Black Waters.”