Chapter 87: Home Sweet Home

Tinkerer. What is it? Who should choose it? And what can it do, exactly?

As to what it is, the name, just like the other starting classes, is self explanatory. The player tinkers with objects. Not clear enough? Fine, allow me to paint a picture.

The Tinkerer’s bread and butter is Binding. This is a level three Ability unlock and it allows the player to connect inanimate objects together without the need of nails or glue. From here, the Tinkerer can make whatever their mind can imagine. I have seen some players who like making little ‘gizmos’ and ‘whatsits’, content to fill their existence with the vapid entertaininment that some NPC Child might on a lazy Sunday. I have seen some who like to make weapons for Guilds which can be equally as effective as they are terrifying to others. But, there is another aspect to this class which puts all the others to shame, and no, I do not mean the Classes which open up to a player after this one is completed.

And so answer that, I must answer the second question I stated above: who is this class for? The official reason is anyone who is interested, but, in my personal opinion, I believe that the player who chooses Tinkerer should be Pragmatic, and Technically minded. The aptitude towards machines goes without saying, but, why pragmatic? Why, because otherwise one might throw away their lives rocking the boat, so to speak, and trying to make something which is impossible! I have seen it too many times, even in Great Nexia, where all the important players who begin in Tinkerer ended up.

Now, what can it do, and what is the aspect that puts the other starting classes to shame? Still haven’t guess? Fine, I’ll tell you. Come closer…

Imagine in a low whisper: It allows for unbridled creativity in a world which encourages only the stagnant path. Don’t like my answer? Oh well, this is my column, not yours. Now bug off.

-Ask Me Almost Anything! By the Nosterly Quarter Society, AION Post

They made it to the forest when the sun was still high over head. Chase and the Hard Won Warriors had agreed that this would be where they departed. Grady and his warriors had been insistent that, after hearing about Xemnara trying to finish the job, they were duty bound to get them safely away from Birchtown. Chase had been more than grateful, and with their assistance he felt assured that no one had trailed them back home.

If home is what it is, thought Chase glumly, looking into the woods.

“You don’t look happy,” noted Amelie. She had traded spots with Thomas for the rest of the way and now sat beside him in the front of the wagon.

“It’s just,” began Chase. He sighed. “It’s about to be winter and we are back here for the entire time.”

“Don’t like the cold?”

“Not especially,” Said Chase.

“You know, I can’t remember winter from the Old World but I have a feeling it’s not that bad.”

“Yeah?” Said Chase. “Maybe you were from a warmer place then, and they didn’t have winters. Avalon is downright miserable from November to April.”

“Come now,” said Amelie, leaning towards him. “At least we got the fort. I am sure it won’t be all that bad.”

Chase slapped his forehead.

“Damnit!”

“What is it?”

“We forgot to buy some winter provisions. You know, blankets and the like.”

“I think we have plenty of time for that,” said Amelie, breathing a sigh of relief, not doubt thinking that something bad was yet again about to happen. “Try not to worry so much, Chase.”

Chase waved his hand, and then nodded at Grady who was approaching him.

“They boy’s are saying the front and back are clear. You and yours won’t be having any visitors around here, I am thinking.”

“That’s great,” said Chase. He take Grady’s hand and shook it warmly. “We can’t begin to thank you for accompanying us all this way. It must have been well out of your way.”

“Nonsense!” Said Grady. He tried to laughed but instead had to hold his head momentarily. “Blast…too much drink too early. I think I am trying to make up for lost time being the slave of that woman.”

“Easy, boss,” said Kurt, coming up beside him. “You need to dry out for a couple days after that party.”

“I think I do,” said Grady, nodding his head. He still winced in pain.

“Where will you be going to now?” Said Brent from the back of the wagon.

“That’s a good question,” said Grady. “I think we will try to get a couple bats with a single dagger. There are some fine monsters that need hunting up in Great Nexia, and also some contracts for the boys.”

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“Good idea,” said Alex, sitting beside Brent. “Always a good idea to do things efficiently.”

“Well,” said Grady. “I’m not a big fan of Great Nexia myself. They think they are better than everyone else, of course you really can’t beat the amenities up there.”

“I like the heated baths,” said Kurt wistfully.

“Aye, those are good.”

“Also the massage machines.”

“Me too, Kurt.”

“And of course the Houses of Moonlit Maj-.”

“Quiet, Kurt!” Roared Grady, rounding on the man. “There’s a lady present!”

“What is that?” Said Amelie curiously.

“Nothing,” said Kurt quickly. He sheepishly glanced at Grady and then went off to join the other Hard Won Warriors who were milling around the back of the wagon.

“Anyway,” said Chase, wanting to chuckle but not wanting to embarrass Grady anymore. “I guess we are parting ways here.”

“Suppose so,” said Grady. He shoved a finger into Chase’s face. “But don’t think for a moment that we are even, Chase. Anytime you need us just send us a message. We will be hot on your heels in an instance. Isn’t that right boys?”

Grady waited a moment and the locked around the wagon.

“I SAID ISN’T THAT RIGHT, BOYS?!”

“Aye!” Said a couple.

“What’s he saying?” Said another.

“Whatever you want, Grady,” said Kurt.

“They’re good lads,” said Grady, shaking his head. “Just need a firm hand.”

“Same with this bunch,” said Chase, nodding his head knowingly. “I know how you feel.”

After the Banes were done protesting, both guilds said their goodbyes. Grady made the rounds with each of the Banes, as well as the Hard Won Warriors who had made friends with them. There were promises of future meetings as well as well wishes. Chase felt they were perfunctory until one young man in the Hard Won Warriors came up to Claire.

“Claire?”

“Yes?” Said Claire. She was siting next to Alex and had to crane her neck around awkwardly. “I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten your name.”

“Clarence.”

“Right, what’s up?”

The young man was short but broad shoulders, with the kind of stocky look that Chase imagined would do well as a lumberjack. He kept looking at the ground and seemed to have trouble keeping eye contact with a Claire and his face continuously flushed red.

“Well…you see…I thought perhaps you might like to write to me…I mean, me to you. I could write you letters. I mean…tell you what’s going on with us…you know?”

“What are you talking about?” Said Claire, frowning. “Write to you? Okay, sure. But I don’t know what I am going to be telling you. Are you the communication guy or something?”

“No, it’s not like that,” said Clarence. “I mean…ah, never mind. Be seeing you.”

Clarence then about faced and walked away as fast as he could. Some of his guild mates chuckled in his wake.

After some final goodbyes, the Seven Banes soon found themselves alone with one another, sitting in their wagon with Moonshine hitched to the front, and the entrance to the forest path before them.

“And then it was just us,” said Thomas, half hanging out of the wagon. “God I am bored. Let’s get back to Lazerpail. I am ready to sleep in my own room again.”

“I wonder how Marlon has been keeping himself,” said Chase as he flicked the reigns. Moonshine soon had then in a steady trot and into the forest. The canopy overhead immediately shaded the sun from view and the sound of the forest coated them in its familiar sounds.

“I’m telling you,” said Thomas. “He’s gonna be dead.”

“Stop saying that!” Said Amelie, turning around in her seat. “I mean it! It wasn’t funny the first time and it certainly isn’t funny now. If we get back and that poor old man is dead you will feel terrible forever.”

“Why would I feel bad?” Said Thomas, but he actually had a note of doubt in his voice.

“Because,” said Alex, interrupting Amelie. “You would have called it while making a joke. That’s the kind of thing that will haunt you forever.”

Thomas was silent a moment, and for a while the wagon ride was quiet. The entire guild seemed exhausted from their recent adventures and Chase was sure they wanted nothing more than to sit back at home and relax for a few days.

Maybe one day would be fine, thought Chase to himself. But if they wanted to be able to travel to the Hub before the next year ended then they would have to work incredibly hard for the winter. It was going to be bitterly difficult work, but he was sure they would be able to do it.

“Thomas?”

“Yeah?”

Chase looked behind him at the little boy.

“Did you manage to steal anything while in Birchtown? Because of all the confusion I never got to take you with me out on the town.”

Thomas grinned wolfishly and then withdrew his inventory from his pocket.

“I wondered how long it would take you to ask me,” he said as he dumped the contents onto the wagon floorboards.

Rings, coins, jewelry, books, and countless other things tumbled out, each making a distinctive thud, ping, or plop as they did so. By the time the small avalanche ceased the wagon’s floor was shining in stolen goods.

“What the-,” said Alex in shock. “You managed all this? When?”

“Oh I found my time, Alex,” said Thomas, puffing his chest out. “Turns outs players are rather lax with security when they are drinking.”

Amalie gasped.

“You didn’t,” she said. “Thomas, they escorted us back here!”

“No, no,” said Thomas, waving his hands. “I didn’t rob them…well, I barely robbed them. Most of this is from The Royal, and some other bits from the tournament.”

“Impressive,” said Chase. “You’re a natural, Tommy. I always knew it.”

Thomas seemed satisfied with the praise, and then went about returning his stolen goods to his bag, humming all the way.

It took them only a few hours to traverse the woods. Lazerpail was near the top of a very high hill. The path twisted and wound its way this way and that and the Banes did not encounter another soul, player or NPC along the way. September was coming to an end and the trees were beginning to change their colors into deep reds and oranges, and as Chase pulled steered their little wagon the the entrance of Lazerpail he had a strange sensation that, despite all reason, the days of this hallowed ground were numbered.

“Let’s get inside,” said Chase. “Who can do the honors?”

“I will,” said Brent, leaping out of the wagon. He placed his hand on the stone and said, “Solomon, Dredman, Karkren, and Spade. Brothers not in blood but in arms and loyalty. We have returned to Fort Lazerpail.”

All the too familiar sound of the illusion giving way sounded before them, and then they were staring down the long tunnel to the fort. Chase directed Moonshine through the entrance and soon they were in the tunnel, the sounds of Moonshine’s hooves echoing off the walls.

“It’s good to be back,” muttered Brent when they were halfway through. “I think I’ve had enough adventure for a while.”

“It’s only begun,” said Thomas grimly. He did not sound happy. “I have a feeling that more things will be coming.”

“They always do,” said Chase. “But we will be ready.”

They emerged through the tunnel into the light, and the familiar courtyard greeted them. It was silent and empty but for a figure on the ground.

“Marlon!” Amelie jumped from the wagon and rushed to the old mans side. He was laying flat on the ground and not moving.

Thomas and all the rest scrambled from the wagon. Chase suddenly had the image of Daniel, dying in his guild mates arms, rushed into his mind.

“Chase,” said Amelie forlornly, as Chase cautiously came near. The guild made way, their faces stricken with fear and sadness. She was holding Marlon’s limp hand as she stared at him, her lip quivering. “He’s dead.”