Amdirlain's PoV - Nepal Mountains - Silver Lake
Preparing to leave Silver Lake didn't take long. The biggest delay was Jinfeng fetching Timur from the compound. After they returned to the inn, the group found an isolated spot some distance from the town suitable for a sparring session: a long undulating mountain slope with plenty of rocks and uneven footing. Sarah landed atop a ridgeline with a view in all directions and released the house to perch nearby.
It squatted on the sloped terrain before rising to full extension and dug its clawed feet into the soil, cracking rocks and gouging at the soil in a kneading motion.
Klipyl laughed. "I don't think it appreciated being stored away for weeks. Are you going to get scolded, Sarah?"
"It's a bit confused by the solid ground suddenly underfoot after so long," replied Sarah. "I'll have to sort out a better dormant mode for it. Give it a few minutes to settle before you sit on the porch."
"Maybe you need to find a storage place and teleport it to you," proposed Klipyl. "Or store it with a rock to stand on."
"I can imagine it enjoying a perch like a chicken," replied Sarah.
The house settled quickly, and Amdirlain sensed no discordant themes within the Psi crystal that operated its defences.
Amdirlain moved down and beckoned Timur and Jinfeng to approach.
"Unarmed or weapons, Sifu?" asked Jinfeng, eyeing her empty hands.
"You can use your toys and go all out," replied Amdirlain. Listening as they approached, Am altered her stance as they positioned on opposite sides.
Jinfeng glanced at Timur. "We're in trouble."
"It's the only way to live life," laughed Timur.
He slipped close and feinted a jab at Amdirlain, only for her to seize him in an iron grasp and send him sailing away. Before he landed, Amdirlain twisted aside to brush Jinfeng's strike away with a fingertip sliding along her blade. It was then she slowly let out Muse's Embrace, testing the effect of the new Power on them and herself.
While Amdirlain spent the afternoon sparring, she updated Sarah on the trip and gained a few mental snorts of amusement and a surge of satisfaction with Balnérith's fate.
'That is a lot of succubi that went with her still,' noted Sarah.
Amdirlain sighed unhappily. 'I know, far more than we'd hoped to banish with her. I also don't know if Castellan wasn't among them willingly or because Nüwa did something.'
'You keep sparring with the kids, and I'll see if I can find the right tent city for the next step.'
Sarah scouted for the location of the city that hosted the West Wind's Court. Kadaklan and Klipyl sat on the house's front porch, watching the sparring, with Klipyl offering the occasional consoling comment to the battered masters. Amdirlain continually flowed between them, settling at a speed and strength based on their own. Their delicate state made the exercise particularly precarious, so Amdirlain set a strict time limit.
With the setting sun drawing long shadows across the sparring location, Timur lowered his hands and gave Amdirlain a satisfied grin. "It seems our time is at an end. In all my days, I never expected to receive instruction from a Goddess. I'll remember this honour for as long as I live."
"I'm not a Goddess, and sparring isn't instruction. The insights you've found are all your own," corrected Amdirlain.
The big man laughed and rubbed his bruised torso. "There were certainly some lessons in what not to do."
Amdirlain shook her head and glanced at Jinfeng. "Maybe I should have hit him harder?"
Jinfeng didn't look up from checking her blade. "He's always like this, Sifu. I'm sure he'll live."
"Have you no sympathy for me?" gasped Timur, pretending to clutch his stomach in pain.
Sheathing her blade, Jinfeng snorted. "Only to the degree you need: none."
Timur chuckled. "You're so harsh, martial sister."
"Where are you off to next?" asked Jinfeng drily.
"I plan to hunt in the southern lowlands," replied Timur. "Now that I've landed a seat, I'll only be able to build up my contribution points while the council isn't in session."
"There is always a trade-off when advancing in rank. More authority comes with less time to work on yourself, but if you find people you can trust to delegate to, you’ll accomplish more," Amdirlain said.
"Hopefully, the increased authority will let me help some of those earlier on their paths," Timur rumbled.
"How did the others react to my treatment of Indra Ka?"
"Most seemed concerned only with that sun and your skill. After the way Lord Nazha reacted, everyone is certain that it wasn't merely trickery," Timur smiled broadly. “What's harder to create: planets or stars?"
The straightforward question drew a laugh from Amdirlain. "In a way, stars are easier, yet they’re so much larger that they take far more effort. What you saw as a wall of fire could swallow this world over a million times."
A puzzled frown appeared, but Amdirlain cut it off with an illusion of their system. She pointed to a tiny sphere a distance from the sun. "Vehtë. This planet orbits a star smaller than the one I created to put on a show. If you didn't melt it down, this planet would fit into its star over nine hundred thousand times. One point three million times if you compare the volume of materials in it to the star."
Timur blinked in shock, and Amdirlain nodded firmly.
"I've many questions, but none would help me with my Dao. Thank you for indulging me, Lady Am," said Timur.
"Do you feel I missed the mark with the Grandmaster?" Amdirlain asked.
"You pressed on a point that has chafed at more than a few people," replied Timur. "He is a wall to be challenged but offers no guidance to climb the path other than to fight harder and study the techniques. Meanwhile, we're trying to scale a cliff that gets more treacherous and dangerous to challenge every year."
"True, it's not as if he is static at the point where he gained immortality," agreed Amdirlain. "If things get unpleasant for you, do contact me through the Monastery of the Western Reaches."
"Do you believe he'll cause me problems since I'm friends with Jinfeng?"
"I don't know, but I like to give people options," replied Amdirlain. “So, if you're concerned, send a letter to the monastery and have them contact Master Livia.”
Timur saluted her. "I doubt he'd lash out at me because of your offer, but I appreciate you conducting this session away from the sect compound."
"Subtle is something I fail at, but discretion I can occasionally manage," quipped Amdirlain.
He bowed to Amdirlain and, after winking at Jinfeng, he turned into an incorporeal shadow. There was a final energy pulse before he shot off towards the south.
His means of departure drew a headshake from Jinfeng. "He still uses that dead-end technique."
"To each their own," offered Kadaklan. "A technique doesn't have to be the most efficient to be the right technique for an individual. Since Timur doesn't use weapons, many 'efficient' techniques aren't suitable."
Jinfeng shrugged and put away her blade. "There are other pure Ki Flight techniques that are faster. I feel he's stubbornly clinging to a technique with an unsavoury reputation."
"Unsavoury, why? I take it the reason is something beyond slipping through shadows?" asked Sarah.
I've had problems in the past with a shadow walker
"Most of the practitioners that use it long term follow daos involved with assassination rather than honourable combat," clarified Jinfeng. "Such individuals aren't welcome in reputable orders."
Amdirlain caught Sarah's eye and snickered. "Oops."
"Your Dao isn't about assassination," observed Sarah.
Because I don’t have one?
"Sifu?"
"I might have a few levels in Assassin," Amdirlain said, innocently pinching her fingers together.
"How many hundred is a few?" Jinfeng asked, suddenly suspicious.
"It depends on how you quantify it," hedged Amdirlain. "Let's say short of two hundred since I have over a hundred in it alone, and it makes up a quarter of a Prestige Class I took to level three hundred."
Jinfeng spluttered. "Jul’iane said you had levels in the thousands. I didn't expect them to include such a number in Assassin."
Amdirlain patted her shoulder. "It's okay. I can understand exactly how you feel. I played with the rules to get most of my levels in it."
"How is that?"
"Someone offered me a bounty on intelligent undead, letting me get so many levels." Amdirlain sighed.
A bounty I never collect on and, with how things worked out, I don't think High Justice Verdanni would react well to a visit from me. Or is that another insecurity?
A flicker of concern from Sarah prompted Amdirlain to divert. "Are there places to get a view of the settlements?"
"I can spot them from above, but I'll have to get a side angle to make out their banners," responded Sarah.
"How about we hop between them until we find the one we're looking for?"
'Is something about the next stop worrying you?' projected Sarah. 'I felt a surge of anxiety.'
'I was just thinking about Verdandi and Torm,' Amdirlain returned. 'I've avoided her not so much from a guilty conscience as procrastination to avoid tackling an unpleasant task.'
'She's in the Adventurers' Guild territory, running a court near a fortified town that blocks Lizardfolk advancing out of the marshlands.'
'I might have to visit when we're done with this trip and checking in on Danu.'
"We might as well set up the house here and proceed in the morning," suggested Sarah.
"True," Amdirlain said, offering Sarah a playful smile.
As Kadaklan and Jinfeng sorted out their evening meal, Amdirlain considered the trove of knowledge points her recent levelling had provided and started distributing them. The first jump in Physical Geography put it into Grandmaster, but the revelations seemed straightforward and even obvious, so she allocated enough to push past the Grandmaster tier. Stellar Engineering followed, and its crossover with True Song Architecture simplified its absorption, doubling the progress she’d expected for her expenditure. Having taught the dwarves what she knew of mining and metallurgy, Amdirlain felt more self-conscious about how much she hadn't remembered from that past life among the dwarven clan. The points she invested in those areas caused them to jump further than expected, but she still stopped in their Senior Master ranks.
I shouldn’t spend points in Abyssal Lore until I get through the memory crystals Eleftherios provided. I hope he isn't among the schemers.
[Psionic Memory Crystal (Abyssal Lore - Deep Planes)
Details: Contains accurate information about the inhabitants and environment of the Quagash Plane, the upper level of the deep planes of the Abyss.
Note: Paranoia is justified, though I'm flattered you'd check them with me. ]
Gideon, I think you felt abandoned by Ori, which might be partly why you've given me so much snark. Let's leave the past in the past; I'll be polite to you if you're polite to me.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
"Before I go into the depths, I'll see what happens when I invest points into True Song Architecture," advised Amdirlain. "I might need the help for the wound."
"Planning to pump up any skills now?"
Amdirlain shrugged broadly. "I could drop some into Metacreativity and Psychoportation, but I think Architecture will be more important in the long term. That many points will get me at least one forced evolution."
"It has helped you improve the efficiency of your songs, so I see the benefit of hoarding them for that Skill," clarified Sarah. "It'll be interesting to see the lessened impact from your intelligence being so much higher."
"Things to consider. I'll see how much the crystal increases my Abyssal Lore before I spill more knowledge points."
"Just a touch of light study before dinner?" drawled Sarah.
"At least he didn't give me details on Hell as well," countered Amdirlain.
Sarah shuddered.
♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫
When they were cuddling later in the evening, Sarah caressed her cheek. "Have you looked at the new Prestige Class yet?"
Amdirlain snuggled in closer. "I've been waiting to discuss it with you."
"It's a hefty Prestige Class," offered Sarah.
I thought I'd heard her use Analysis while I was sparring.
[Songbird
Details: Though Ori never possessed classes, this Tier 7 Prestige Class continues the progression of True Song mastery.
Enhances the possibility of acquiring significant insights into True Song and all its related powers and skills.
Requirements:
- Over twelve hundred levels in True Song classes.
- Orhêthurin's Soul
- It combines four classes, but at least two must be evolved based on True Song classes to combine into the Prestige Class.
Attribute adjustments
+ 30 Intelligence per Level.
+ 30 Endurance per Level.
+ 60 Magic per Level.
+ 4 Melee Attack Power per Level.
+ 4 Defence per Level.
+ 8 Free Attribute Points per Level.
+5 Skill Points per Level.
+5 Knowledge Points per Level.
+30 health per Level.]
How many chances of significant insights can I stack before I go to the plinth? I don't have to worry about getting more points to spend. I can shove Songbird, which will provide plenty.
"Some nice improvements," said Amdirlain. "I still need to figure out how to gain the other powers Empress Malfex provided."
"Start with emptying your Mana Pool," suggested Sarah. "You'll need to do that anyway to progress your Mana Font, and since you can generate it, you won't upset the local Mana flows."
Amdirlain retrieved a group of crystals and passed them to Sarah once filled. "Enjoy."
She hefted the bag of crystals. "I'd decline, but there are a few projects these will speed up."
"Projects to help you level?"
"You told me that Sage found more of those demonic strongholds. I'll build some of my orbital devices and see about cleaning them up," said Sarah. "I can't smash a world apart, but I can blast things on its surface and crack hardened locations. With the destruction of any demonic gates you can rename the world and seal it against him."
"I suppose I can leave you a bigger stronghold," drawled Amdirlain. "As long as you don't take too long, I think Gilorn has something planned."
"Perhaps we can work out something together," said Sarah.
"That's a possibility, but she sounded very offended by what she saw done to that world," clarified Amdirlain. "And she'll be able to contact Sage for more details. Do you think he won’t point someone able to create stars at a mutual foe?"
"I'd better contact her now," replied Sarah. "Should I arrange for her to craft materials while you're studying so she feels part of the clean-up?"
“If you work that out with her, you’ll have a source besides my stockpiles while I’m in the deep planes.”
Sarah dispatched an inquiry that received a quick acknowledgment.
"Happy to help, Sarah. I'll stockpile more materials in the Foundry once I'm done teaching a pointed lesson to an idiot. I'll leave the biggest two worlds for your experiment."
At Gilorn's harsh tone, they raised their eyebrows.
"You think she might have trouble with the Lómë?" asked Sarah.
"No idea, but if she needed my help, she'd have asked for it," said Amdirlain. "I don't have to do everything myself."
Snuggling closer to Sarah, she contemplated allocating more points.
♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫
As the sun rose above the horizon, Sarah huffed in surprise, tensing in Amdirlain's arms. The flow of Ki through the Allegiance Bond caused the Power to shiver, and Amdirlain restricted its pace.
[Allegiance Bond [B] (7) -> (8)
Note: Normally, this Power doesn't get strained unless you maintain multiple bonds simultaneously or do lots of channelling. However, it's factored off your levels, and your attributes can no longer counter its underdevelopment.]
"Filling," drawled Sarah.
"I guess I touch your sides," quipped Amdirlain, listening closely to ensure the Ki hadn't adversely affected Sarah.
Sarah rolled her eyes. "Jokes aside, I'll have to figure out how to speed my growth. I wonder if I could duplicate that trick you pulled to collapse the world with an object."
"I think I'd be worried if you could," replied Amdirlain. "While True Song can duplicate magical effects, magic can't duplicate the scope of True Song. You've got more arcane knowledge than most beings, but its one person versus the discipline of the devils. They could determine how to cause the same effect if you could."
"True."
The five settled into their travelling morning routine and soon flew off to the first location to check.
Jinfeng landed on a northward-facing spur that looked out over a valley, and Amdirlain and the others followed suit. "There should be herders grazing herds along this valley. They'll have news about where the West Wind's Court will be situated this season."
Amdirlain smiled at Sarah. "Can you spot anyone, honey?"
"Are you trying to be good?"
"Trying? That's very trying, thank you!"
Sarah laughed drily and shook her head. "We might not need to bother the herders. Since we started flying, I've positioned drones near a few larger settlements. We're looking for banners showing a white tiger coiled to pounce, correct?"
The image came through the mental link, and Jinfeng nodded. "That is the right banner."
"Hopefully, they're not all secondary gatherings," said Amdirlain.
"Worst case, they'll be able to direct us to the right location. Perhaps even provide us with a guide," Kadaklan offered.
Amdirlain smiled wryly. "You need to stretch your imagination. I can imagine worse options than only getting directions."
"Is that what you call doom flagging?" Kadaklan asked Sarah.
"Barely. Doom flagging requires something more direct to the situation." clarified Sarah. "Like saying: I'm sure our visit to the West Wind's Court will go perfectly smoothly."
"Then why did you say that?" demanded Kadaklan incredulously.
Sarah smirked. "We're accompanying Amdirlain after she flexed for Nazha—there is no way something dramatic won't happen."
"That's fair," agreed Amdirlain.
"We can always listen to the minds within the settlement and not approach one unless it's the right place or we run out of options. There is a mountain peak near the closest. Let's hop there," suggested Sarah.
It took a few jumps before they found the right one. It was a massive tent city sprawled in a circle across the grassland on the Kingdom's northern edge. Amdirlain could sense the minds of immortals and Shen within some modest tents. Other large and elaborately decorated canopies hosted spatial structures the size of manors; one even contained a palace.
Does that belong to Báihǔ or one of his sons?
"Do we pester Cyrus or head in?" asked Kadaklan.
Amdirlain nibbled the inside of her cheek as she considered options. "Let's head down and meet with one of their patrols."
They took to the air again and picked out a group of horsemen with long spears, travelling fast enough to land some two hundred metres ahead of the patrol. The lead riders had caught sight of their aerial approach shortly after they lifted from the mountain, and one rider signalled towards guards near the camp, but they kept their pace the same. The groups looked uniformly Tibetan with tanned skin that spoke of years in the elements. They wore chain armour with a steel disc positioned over the centre of their chests and peaked open-faced helms. Though some men sported beards or goatees, most were clean-shaven.
The lead rider signalled the patrol to halt five metres from the group and looked over them casually, though his gaze lingered appraisingly on Amdirlain.
"You're unusual travellers. While I believe I know who you are, I’d hate to be mistaken. Would you introduce yourselves and advise me what brings you to the West Wind's Court?"
At least we're in the right place, and he recognises me.
Jinfeng bowed to the rider. "Master Lu Jinfeng, escorting Lady Am and her friends. Lady Am seeks knowledge in the court's library."
The rider returned her bow before signalling a younger rider at the patrol's rear to come forward. "We received instructions yesterday about Lady Am's imminent arrival."
"I hope the instructions aren't burdensome to you," replied Jinfeng.
“We were told Lady Am prefers a minimum of fuss.”
Jinfeng smiled. “She responds in kind.”
“Since we would like the city to remain intact, the Duty Pavilion will ensure Lady Am has suitable accommodation and will provide anything she requires. We will provide you with a guide," replied the man and motioned to the rider who’d joined him. "Baatar, see they arrive unbothered to the Duty Pavilion post at the southern entry, then catch up."
The youth saluted with a clenched hand against his chest. "On my honour."
Baatar pulled a pair of thin red and yellow pennants from a saddlebag and attached them just below the blade of his spear before returning its butt to the cup beside his right stirrup.
"Lady Am, if you and your companions would match your speed to mine, whether flying or afoot," said Baatar. He waited for Amdirlain's acknowledgement before wheeling his horse and heading northeast.
The soldier escorted them to a red free-standing archway marking the start of the southern thoroughfare. Just past the structure was a large, pristine white tent with an extended flap as an awning. Beneath its shade, clerks sat behind folding desks, dispensing tokens to youths in white and black silk robes. The layout of their desks blocked access to the curtained-off entry beyond them.
"Thank you, Baatar. We can manage from here," said Jinfeng reassuringly.
Baatar bowed to Jinfeng but gave a sharp whistle to attract the attention of a clerk. "Clerk, you have important guests."
The man looked up from the ledger, and his gaze widened as he took in the group. He frantically motioned those in his line to step back. "Your name and business?"
He's going through the motions, but he recognised us.
"Master Lu Jinfeng of the Monastery of the Western Reaches accompanying Lady Am, Grandmaster Artificer Sarah, Master Kadaklan, and the foreign Shen Klipyl."
His brush trembled, sending waves across the surface of the ink bowl. After forcing it to stillness, he calmly and precisely recorded their names. "Expected duration of stay?"
"That's unknown. Might we get visitor tokens? Lady Am wants to explore the library for technique manuals and would need to earn contribution points to purchase them."
His lips parted, and a soft, drawn-out sigh slipped from his mouth. "Let me speak to the head clerk."
With neat motions, he wiped the ink from his brush on the edge of the bowl and set it on the stand to rest before he hurried away.
Amdirlain followed the conversation at the back of the tent. When he interrupted with news of her arrival, they thrust a carved box into his hands; the senior clerk clung to his forearm, rapidly issued instructions, and then shooed him back to his post.
The clerk returned in a rush and set a polished white jade box on the counter.
"Lady Am. Head Clerk Dorje isn't in presently, but he instructed his assistant to provide your group with these pendants if you arrived while he was absent." The clerk took the lid of the jade box, showing a set of mithril pendants with the White Tiger's emblem; the enchantment within each matched the western reaches' contribution pendants.
"Why is that?" asked Amdirlain.
The man fidgeted restlessly. "It was at Lord Nazha's insistence."
Though Amdirlain had caught the answer from the people in the tent, she stared at the clerk. "What is the importance of these pendants?"
"They show you are guests of the White Tiger and cover the contribution costs unless you prove yourself a dishonourable guest."
"Does that include access to the techniques in the library?"
He nodded rapidly. "Of course."
"Is the White Tiger or Lord Nazha covering the cost in contribution points?"
The clerk shot a glance over his shoulder. "I do not know."
Amdirlain nodded towards the curtain he'd gone through. "Please inquire. I'm not inclined to accept gifts so readily. While Nazha has debts to repay, the White Tiger does not."
Offering her a quick salute, he ran off again.
He returned promptly, confirming that Lord Nazha would reimburse the order for any expenses during their stay.
When he mentioned getting her a proper escort, Amdirlain raised a hand to stop him. "Just have one person show us to some accommodation. While I'm not bothered, some of our group occasionally sleep."
Only some people believed the instructions about minimal fuss.
Swallowing, he glanced around and beckoned to the closest Tibetan boy in grey robes. Not even in his teens, he looked at the man in disbelief, forgetting to bow. The clerk was already busy writing a location on a wood chit and quickly thrust it into the boy's hands. "See that they get there."
"We would appreciate your guidance," reassured Amdirlain soothingly.
His dark eyes widened, and the youngster bowed so steeply that his black ponytail flopped.
He's usually just a runner for messages; he got thrown way out of his depth.
As the youngster ran around the desks, Amdirlain stopped him. "We're not in a hurry. Just walk at your own pace."
Nervously remembering his manners, he bowed again at the proper angle. "You have a tent on the inner ring, Lady Am. It's a bit of a walk."
"Thank you for advising me," Amdirlain smiled warmly at the boy. "Do you think you'll recognise it from above?"
At his quick nod, Amdirlain wafted them all into the air with a barrier beneath the boy's feet for slight reassurance.
As they lifted into the air, the clerk sent our runners to announce her arrival.
Orcus's PoV - Command Room
An illusion of a crystalline face stared coldly at those gathered from among the glinting gems that represented planets where operations were underway. "You've overstepped, Orcus."
Massive hands locked onto the basalt table's edge, and the room trembled at his rage. "Who are you to tell me anything?"
The woman snorted in amusement. "Like I care what you call me."
Orcus hissed in anger and disbelief. As he opened his mouth to threaten the stranger, liquid fire and agony he'd not experienced since the last transformation raged through his flesh.
"With Balnérith and her sisterhood now utterly destroyed, Mother doesn't need you as a whetstone to hone her wakening strength."
Light shone from within Orcus' bloated form before he experienced a sensation akin to imploding.
A crystalline vessel formed around the Demon Lord's Essence, and he slammed against its side. He could only watch and scream soundlessly as the face ordered his servants to run and never stop. Those who lingered didn't just die; he felt their destructions echo through their fracturing oath links.
Disembodied, he found himself pressed tight by the bottle's wall. Attempting Analysis invoked even greater agony. A bombardment of burning stars that left dots floating before his gaze assailed his mind.
The being before him laughed, the sound slicing through the protections into his Soul. "Hidden, I know what you are, and you're unfit to sully my mother's worlds. There is a magic item with many names, from iron flasks to eternity cubes. They can bind demons, similar to how a genie can be bound. The items aren't normally useful for containing any demons above the Named tier, so it's just as well that I'm neither Wizard nor Artificer. As a friend of my mother’s would say: maybe you’ll get lucky, and someone will come rub one out for you."
Orcus was still ignorant of her name when the face vanished. He caught a distant reflection through the walls of his prison; it showed a crystalline bottle with his face pressed against its insides, spinning in mid-air amid a tornado of white fire.