There's a lot of hubbub this morning, during my morning run with Aikoki and Coan I can feel eyes on us. Normally it's just some passerby’s heading for farms or an early morning walk but this is strange. A lot more people than normal.
Checking the map mode I can see 15 people up and down the beach with the majority together in a group. Not sure who they are but they quickly go out of range as I run further. This map mode does not go far.
Arriving back I can see Malter Coan waiting for us, he waits for us to catch our breath and says “Coan, can you please go inside. I need to talk to Michael and Aikoki for a moment.” Puffing he responds with a nod and walks off, turning back to us he looks worried.
“Michael, we may have a problem, despite us trying to keep things a secret the family Heads may have heard about you. They might have contacted the Institute but I don’t know for the moment.”
Aikoki looks up in confusion, “The Institute? We are practically a private nation here, there's no way the Institute was called.” “Is there anything we can do, could I talk with the head of the family?” Micahel asks.
“It's possible, but we might end up in a tricky situation, I do not care for the politics of our family but. Yes, if we can make a good case for the Family Head we might be able to buy some time. How is your training going?”
“It’s been going well, I need some kind of movement ability but I am working on my third Creation Power, that should give me more mobility and a few other abilities. Combat wise, Aikoki?”
“He’s doing well, and I will say Michael you are a natural with your Clones. Some strategies you have come up with are inspired.”
The third Creation Power I’ve been working on the last few days is the Avatar “magic” from Avatar the Last Airbender. I’ve seen it many times babysitting for my neighbours' kids so I’m familiar with the system in place. It's also an extension of Psychokinesis so I’m expecting a quick breakthrough. If I can get this one I can proceed with the plan after talking to the gods.
Hold on, what's this? I can see that the group of 15 from earlier enter the map mode, they are 30 metres away from us. Interrupting Malters with a quick “we have company arriving” and a head nod in their direction we turn to see them.
The majority are farm hands with two being dressed in robes, not as fancy as Abcier’s but better quality than the stuff I’m wearing. As they approach, I can hear Malter swear under his breath. Once they are a metre or two away one of the fancy robe guys addresses us.
“Malter, Aikoki. I had hoped this” guestering at me “would have been brought to our attention sooner, would you care to explain?” I’ll ignore that jab for now, Malter gives a slight bow with a hand to his waist.
“Master, it has been some time since I have seen you last. This man is Michael, a visitor who has been staying with us for over two months so far. I did not feel that I need to trouble the family with a temporary visitor”
This guy has the same general features as the Coan’s, white tanned skin and brown hair. But instead of the fit frame of the Coan’s is more lanky and thin. I’d described him as someone who was in a dark room all his life.
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We had discussed things like this previously, hopefully the fact that I'll be heading off onto the mainland will let them give the Ok?
“I was told he was an OutWorlder, one who can create duplicates of himself. A new version of Muahaix Aiwatito, he is too dangerous to stay here.”
Yea this is getting us nowhere fast, after a quick glance to Malter, he replied with a nod and I step forward.
“My name is Micahel Hayes. I am indeed an OutWorlder but I will not be here for long. And while I do have what you describe as Muahaix Aiwatito my Powers are my own concern.”
“You will know your place Alien, how do we know what your intentions are? How can we confirm if you are not dangerous or not!? I’ve seen you battle that renegade Aikoki, you could possibly deal with most of us here.”
Hold on man, that must have been on a good day cause I’m not that good!
“You flatter me sir but I’m not that experienced, perhaps if I was to speak directly to your Family Head then this can be cleared up. Or perhaps you would wish to speak with Abcier, the priest of Knowledge from the continent?”
“We deal with our matters by ourselves, how would you persuade the Family Head of your… good intentions?” This guy is giving off a sleazy vibe i'll be honest, I don’t trust him but if we can get a private session that might be good.
“Its quite simple, I will tell your Family Head the truth. Then he can decide for himself.” He stiffens up, straight backed and turns to Malter with a scowl.
“Malter, bring this thing to the Head tomorrow. If he finds favour he can stay. But if not, the Institute is but a boat ride away.”
“Thank you, Master” Malter says as he bows. Maybe playing off as non confrontational was a bad idea, even if this Head likes me I get the feeling that this guy might just call them out of spite. I think I need to move up my schedule.
“Guessing this is something we can’t get out of, who was that guy Malter?” An angry scowl later and Malter says in a bitter voice “Hes Master Illiard Coan, the fourth in line as Head of the Family, and a truly horrid man. If we are lucky he hasn’t had a chance to spread too many rumours about you to the Head.”
“That bad huh, thought he was sleazy but horrid? Yea, you know what, I’m not gonna ask”
The next morning we are up, Malter and Epego are up early and give me some nice formal wear. Some of Malter's old formals were modified to fit me a bit. I’m a bit taller and thinner than he is. After a good wash and comb of hair and beard (I’ve been growing it a bit) we head out.
Leaving the house I say goodbye to Epego and Coan who are staying behind and join Malter and Aikoki in a carriage. Coan is looking very worried, he’s not sure why I’m heading out but last night we reassured him I’ll be back. The carriage is not much more than an uncovered wagon with an animal tied to it.
It's a large, bison-like animal but without the large horns and with very large legs. We follow the road for a few hours in silence, our meeting is not for a few hours yet. We pass many farms and homesteads of different branch families and farm hands.
As we approach the western side of the island we can see a small mountain in the distance, rising up out of the ocean right off the beach, as we near it we can see a large amount of travellers, storage houses and a massive mansion like building jutting out from the mountain cliff face. Our destination.
The mountain is flat and sharp, almost like a sheet of rock jutting out of the sea and island, but thick enough that it won't fall and thicker at its base.
As we move through the large town surrounding it we pass through a busy gatehouse into the mansion entrance. Leaving the cart there we begin to ascend the mountain. There are easily a thousand people in this entrance area, moving foods to storehouses and ships or like in our case, visiting the heads of the family to settle things.
We are scheduled for a private session in an hour so we move through the throng of people into a large waiting room with many seats. Malter goes off to let them know of our arrival while Aikoki and I take a seat. The clothing in this mansion is quite different, while outside most people wear simple clothes that would not be uncommon for farmers or fishermen, in here it is mostly robes.