About a week later I found a nice rental house. Nothing fancy, 3 bedroom, kitchen, living room dining room combo, Study / Library, outhouse in walking distance of house, private well and stable (not that I have any horses or the like, still nice to have). Ok it's pretty fancy for the area.

I like it and the price is fairly low. I find out later that is because it is close to the temple area and 2 times a week I get to hear Lots of bells and other loud ceremonies from some of the temples. But as I spent a little over a week in a temple, it's not so bad now. Actually those loud times are quieter than what I am used to from back home, and as such I find it somehow soothing.

I am keeping busy with the weavers going over the denim patterns with me. The clothier showing me things to try on and idea's for zippers. I give him some advice from personal experience with zippers. He is glad to have it And informed me once he got someone to actually make them to spec they are turning in to his most popular item.

I did ask if he knew a Dame Fortune or Fortuna he told me he did, she was a most disagreeable and obnoxious personage and really did not like it when she came to his shop. I told him what she thought she acted like around him and he snorted in disbelief. I also warned him to be careful around her as she is actually a very evil person. I did not recount how I knew that, except for a couple attempts on my life after I ruined a plan of hers that would have destroyed several farms, just so she could get the land cheap for her new house.

He actually said he could easily believe it from her.

Allisnore and his buddies are doing well with the slush but they want to know of the other formula to. So I ask after a dozen ingredients, 3 of which are necessary for the creation of several items I am interested in. They knew nothing of the Cellulose which is one needed ingredient or the fertilizer. I tried to describe the normal making and form of the items and it was no good. I told them the items to Make the ingredients did not seem to be in their realm of knowledge and without those the harder form was not possible. However they did know of stuff to make fireworks. Which they actually do make and sell for holidays and events. I gave them a couple of secrets they did not know, like how to make a special kind of golden fire and one for a bright blue fire and roman candles. They Loved the roman candles. Those turned in to a big hit with the fireworks people. The blue fire was actually known by a temple and was one of their Divine secrets. When the mages learned what their secret was they about fell over themselves in laughter.

On a happy note, because of all my help with the mages guild I got 2 things I wanted. The Improved Travelers bag or Marvel Pack as it is also called. 2 medium sized bags of accessible holding for the side pouches (500 lbs. capacity) and the main bag was a full sized bag of holding (1500 lbs. capacity), with unseen servants inside to sort and bring forth items I put inside. They even had zippers as well as tie flaps on the pouches. For added security locks are included on the zippers.

One Adventuring item I create is the Henchman's bag. (Total price: 5 gold to make)

1 Compass (simple design), 1 wooden walking staff 6' long 1" thick, 50' of silk rope (600lbs test), 1 grappling hook (800lbs test), 20 Iron Spikes 6" long, 1 hammer (for the spikes), 1 pen, 2 pots dried ink (add water or oil), 1 pad (100 sheets of wire bound paper 6"x3"), 2 weeks Iron Rations (hard tack), 1 mirror (polished metal), 1 whet stone, 1 set basic lock picks, 1 tinder box with a sparker (10 replacement flints in a small wood box), 1 Hooded Lantern (with 4 replacement wicks), 12 pints lamp oil, 1 gallon sized water skin

The wire bound note book, sparker, and compass are actually all my designs.

Prior to this compasses were either load stone on a string or these massive items used on ships. No one had thought to make a sealed small metal plate with oil in it in which a thin loadstone (magnetized steel) needle would sit. they are cheap to make and a wonderful navigation aid.

The wire bound book I made up cause I kept losing notes and got fed up with it. One idiot mage told me paper made a lousy spell book. I told him it was not a spell book, just a book for keeping my notes together. The master of the guild was told by the idiot that I was making a paper spell book and had me bring it to him. When he found it was full of class Notes and the occasional doodle but no actual spells, he ended up asking the fellow why he thought it was so. His response was 'well why else spend so much money to keep pages in order.'

I floored them both when I told them how much the thin steel ribbon actually cost me 2 copper The paper cost more than that. So for the price of 2 copper and a little work putting holes in paper, I made a book for notes. With the paper itself (in the size used in the classes I was taking) the whole of it cost 2 silver to make. I told them they were very popular back home and sold for around 3sp to 5sp depending on the number of pages in the blank books. They were cheaper for smaller books of course.

Scriver's and Scribes guild got a look at them and I made a deal with them. They now make them and sell them on the side of their normal business. I get a discount of course.

The sparker is just pure simple. Piece of flint in a clamp and a rough steel ball. The clamp is attached to the ball by a spring like piece of metal and works to light candles and lanterns and such and is reusable until the flint wears down, then it's just a matter of putting in a new piece of flint. The dwarf smith who first made it for me marveled at the simplicity of it and that no one had done it before. I told him how I read about them in a history book from hundreds of years ago. Then some mage worked out a fire finger cantrip and they fell out of favor. He believed it. Then I let him keep making them as I just rediscovered it. He is making a small profit on them now.

The first pack I made for myself and so many travelers Liked it I ended up selling the idea to the merchants who helped me put it together originally. They now work together making this and other 'ready to go packs'.

Mine though is the best as I have the Marvel Pack to put it all in.

All in all, my deals are working well and I am getting a little back from each, which is more than enough to live on so I am not eating in to my savings.

Now in the magic shop I Finally got to visit I found some wonderful items. Also learned not Everything in the shop was magic. Lots of stuff sold to them by adventurers and such.

I found these Leather Bracers, old with thin silver plates on the outer side marked as a minor magic item. The magic of them was listed as 'non-corroding, ever repairing'. I ran my own identify spell and found they were Bracers of Defense. Made me wonder about the ability of the one doing the identifying here.

But they only charged me 10gold crowns so I did not argue. I also got an earring, clip type, of a gold leaf with mother of pearl inset. Was not magical and they only asked 10 silver for it. I bought it. (turned out to be magical - Doubled 1st-3rd level spells I could keep in memory, which I worked out sometime later).

While there I over hear them turn down a beat up looking adventurer trying to sell some items. I go over and listen then when they toss him out I follow, "Hello. I overheard part of what was said, what are you trying to sell ?"

He looks sad, "I got these cursed greaves. Supposedly they improve your ability to dodge, but what I found was they do it by throwing you out of the way." I nod, "Got anything else ?"

He nods, "I got this amulet, was supposed to protect me from getting hurt. It did not work either. I was stupid to trust that gypsy, but you know." he shrugs.

"How much did you buy them for ?"

He shrugs, "All I had, 5 gold."

I nod and consider, "Tell you what, I will take both for 10 gold. That way at least Some good came from this experience. As for what I will do with them ? I know a fellow training to be a mage. I am sure he would love to study them."

He is more than happy to sell them to me. As he walks off, I watch him trip over his own feat, stumble over a stone, and by not watching where he is going, walk in to a cart and a ladder.The magic merchant (Winslo) came out, "You bought those cursed items didn't you ?" he scoffs.

I hold up the greaves, "Tell me what happens when an innately clumsy person wears an item that increases your speed ?"

The merchant pauses. "They tend to get slammed around …more… so not cursed ?"

I smile, "No, he was looking for something to make himself more graceful but found something that made him faster. Faster on a normal person makes them harder to hit."

He nods, 'very true'. he says in low tones, "What of the necklace ?"

I look at it and read the reverse of it, "It's to prevent missiles from hitting the person, say's so on the back." I point out the inscription, "Amulet of Missile Deflection."

He shakes his head in wonder, "So it would protect the person but only from arrows or thrown objects not other things."

I nod, "And I got both for only 10 gold. Either of them are worth more than that to a traveler."

He smiles, "You are one smart man."

I grin, "Helps that I just read a book not long ago about the pros and cons of magic items and who should and should not use them."

He nods again. I smile and walk back in to his store, "Now let's see what other fun items you got." the last 2 things I bought were books. One was a very comprehensive book on cantrips. Not only what they did, but how to cast them. The other was an older copy of 'magic of the world' and I found it fascinating. I had read a later version, but most of what is in this book was not in the other one.

As I am walking home with my purchases I feel a familiar presence. Violence, bloodshed and evil humor. War is watching me again. I am getting pretty good at identifying when one of the gods is watching me as I am sensitive to their Presence.

So while I don't look it, walking with my nose in my new cantrip book, I am paying more attention to what is going on around me. With War it can be anything from a thug to an argument to one of his Paladins or Priest come to bug me about something. Only had to be violent one time with the priest. Fellow tried to force me in to the temple of war, I chucked him through the doors then went about my business. I could hear the laughter from the street. Big tough bully of a priest, tossed like a doll. War just loved it when I did things like that. But then he loves violence in any form, it's his nature.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

A blond woman in chain and black leather armor with the symbol of the War church on a medallion around her neck (Flaming Sword). Steps up next to me, I keep walking till she moves in to my path. She is tall, about 6ft, nice looking but has that arrogant look of someone who thinks most the world is beneath them and is annoyed no one else knows it. She stands there looking me over slowly then sighs " My name is Cassandra Cross, I have been sent by my god to be your escort and companion. I am going with you and there is nothing you can do about it."

I look her over, "Lots I can do about it actually. But I have been expecting you. Your late."

She looks surprised then concerned, "How did you know I would be here Now."

"War, I can feel his presence, he is watching, that only happens when something in his purview is about to happen. Last time it was some stupid priest. I got rid of him by throwing him through the doors of his temple. He walks with a limp now to. Landed wrong I think."

"No, Me Personally." she insist.

"He told me he was sending someone. That I am too dangerous to be allowed to wander around on my own and needed watching. Now as for getting rid of you, that would not be all that hard."

I lean down and put on my new greaves. "Tell me, can you run in all that gear ?"

"I am trained in endurance running as all good soldiers are." she informs me.

I nod, "But can you run. There is a difference."

I do a couple quick steps and am pleased at how well the greaves activate. I slide sideways and grin, "Let's find out shall we." I take off, slow jog, normal speeds (8 mph), she huffs and catches up pretty easy, "This is running ?"

I grin, "No this is jogging. Running is much faster."

I wave at a couple guards, they wave back, "Going to do my work out now." I tell them, they nod and give me a thumbs up.

Cassandra looks confused, then suddenly I am going up the side of a building like a monkey and am off across the roof tops.

I can hear War's laughter in my mind. For about 2 weeks now I have been doing Parkour at first the guard was not amused, then I showed it and explained it to the leaders and head guards and they Liked it. Now half the guard are doing it or similar, learning the thief routes around the city as they call it. In time they believe they will be able to outmaneuver the thieves on their own turf. I can't say, but it is a fun workout. I include some Freewalking in it to, for flare and to see if she is following me.

She isn't. Does not slow me down. In fact I don't stop till I hit the avenue of Temples, the wide street and strange shapes of the temple roofs make this an expert zone. Well for anyone else, with my powers it's all pretty much the same. Still I come to a rest on the edge of the dome of the Temple of War. Looking down on the front entrance, seeing if she catches up.

"Well War, she is a bit rough around the edges isn't she. Needs to come down a few notches in attitude."

A ghostly form of the Avatar appears next to me, "Yes she does. She has a lot of potential, but she is too quick in her judgements and does not follow orders from people above her well. I am hoping you can teach her some patent's and wisdom. Your good at patents, given your abilities and all I was surprised by that. I told her you are her new Master. She really does not like that. Mind you, as far as I am concerned, being an Evil being and all." I sense a 'wink' in that, "She is yours to do with as you please. Including disciplining her or just breaking her. Rather you did not break her, but won't stop you."

"No, you just happily send your goons to make sure I understand the rules again right."

"Only the ones I want to see in my halls. I know how much you hold back in fighting with the mortals. I understand the need to hide your nature. Oh and I love your teaching the guards and soldiers parkour to. Wonderful exercises and in the long term will help them very well." I nod, "Peace cannot last forever." I state.

He nods, "Very true and these peoples new found wealth will eventually cause jealousy in foreign lands, you know how that works." I nod, "Yep. Someone will try to take it by force."

War nods, "Good luck with the girl. You are going to need it. Oh and she is a Priestess of mine, so no healing spells, but lots of necromancy stuff."

I look at him, "Sometimes I want to push you off this roof." he laughs and fades out.

Paladin (not sure which one, full plate body and helm) comes out and looks up at me, "What are you doing up there ?"

"Waiting."

She cocks her head, "For what ?"

"Whom"

She sighs, "Ok for Whom ?"

"Remember when War said he would send me a companion ?"

She nods.

"She is in town. I left her in the market, I am seeing how long it takes her to figure out where I went."

She stares at me, "You went over the roof tops again didn't you ?"

I nod, smiling, "Yep."

She sighs, "I don't know why the Lord won't let us stomp you."

"He is in no hurry to have you join him in his halls. Or that's what he just told me."

She considers that. Does not doubt me one bit. War has spoken to me in the past and she is sure does so now.

"One of these days I am going to catch you alone and screw your brains out." She promises me.

I consider then step off the 20ft high arch and land in front of her, she steps back very surprised.

"Which one are you ?"

She carefully pulls off her helm, "Luce, also called the Hammer." I nod, "Hammer and Axe, I remember, just did not recall your given name." She nods, "How did you do that ?"

"What ?"

"That is a 20ft foot drop, how ?"

I grin, "I can jump higher than that. I pulled my punches when I fought you two the other day. Did not want to kill you."

She considers that, "How strong are you ?" said in a near whisper. I smile and decide to give her a hint. I step up to her and bear hug her, including lifting her off her feet, then I kiss her lightly, "You know if you just want sex, I am open to it."

I put her down and step back. She stumbles a little, surprised. Then blushes as she puts her helm back on. "I will consider that."

"And here she comes." I state even as I am looking at Luce.

She turns and sees the black armored woman jogging toward the temple. "Ouch, Cassandra Cross, that is who War gave you ?"

"Yep. He told me she has potential, just tends to think more with the brain in her ass than the one in her head."

Luce snickers, "Yeah that fits with what I have heard to. Good luck with her. Oh he tell you anything else about her."

I nod, "I am her Master and if need be I am allowed to break her or punish her in any way I want, but he would prefer if I did not make her useless as a warrior."

Luce nods, "She could use a Little breaking. But yeah, I get the rest."

Panting Cassandra runs up the steps. She is sweating heavily and glaring murderously at me. "You and I are going to have words Farm Boy."

Luce turns to her, "You will not refer to your commanding officer that way. War has decreed he is your Master now. Not the other way around."

Cassandra is about to put her foot in her mouth but I interrupt, "Thank you Hammer. Very concise presentation of the facts."

Cassandra looks confused, "Hammer ?"

I nod, "Hammer of War, Paladin here at the temple, one of my sparing partners. Though mostly verbally as that armor makes her to slow to do it physically."

Cassandra looks more confused.

High Priest Gregory comes out of the temple, knowing him he was listening in to everything before showing himself. He is sneaky that way. (Him I like, he respects me, he is the one who watched me toss around the paladins the first day and saw how well I got on with the God.) "Rob is a master of unarmored hand to hand combat. Not to be underestimated as the guard here learned the hard way the first time he visited us. Was most embarrassing seeing people in full armor being tossed about like childrens toys. I learned from our lord that he actually held back as he did not want any of us dead. Something about being able to kill with a single strike instantly."

I nod, "Humans are fragile things really. One punch to any of a dozen places and poof dead. And Gregory, I am not a master. I have more skill than some, but my old master he was Scary. I am just dangerous. Ironically the Grand Master is one of the nicest people you could ever want to meet. Despite the fact he can kill you from a mile away without using magic. Just pure force of will."

Gregory digest that. I watch him think, it's kind of fun really. If I am Not a master, and can do all that, then a master is someone he (me) thinks is scary … not a people he wants as enemies.

Cassandra, "So your some kind of Monk ?"

I grin, "I get that allot, but no. I am actually trained as a Demon Hunter."

For some reason all of them get Very still and start looking around for something. But nothing happens. "What ?" I ask.

Luce whispers, "Last demon around here heard that, they came out and killed the one making the claim."

I nod, "about 4ft tall, glowing eyes, looks like a gargoyle."

They nod, I point at him. they look I smile, make a sign, the creature turns and RUNS up the side of the temple, takes flight and does not come back. I know what really happened, but it's fun to watch the others who don't know that War's avatar just appeared behind me.

I glance back at him and grin. He waves, "I know how much of that training you actually have. Still it's a good reputation for you to have here. Don't expect it to happen again." I nod.

I look back at the others, "Minor demon really. Level (War holds up 4 fingers) 4 I think." War nods. "Truthfully I could not have scared him off if I was anywhere else in the city. The temples helps amplify certain powers. Allowing me to appear as something much more powerful than I am."

Gregory and Luce both slowly nod. They understand about such things.

Gregory suddenly ask, "Do you know what a Legion Demon is ?"

I nod, "Lives on fear and anger mostly. Loves to scare people or make them angry, the more they get the stronger they get. Takes laughter, humor, and joy to make them go away as those emotions poison them."

Gregory smiles, "Really ? Good to know. Got a bit of a legion demon problem in one of the outer temples. Given our ah, normal motivations they love it there. Thank you for telling me that." I nod, "Minor demons really, they just like to travel in packs. Pretty destructive though.

Most of my training is in the lesser ones. I am by no means skilled enough to face off with the big ones. Minor ones are pretty easy usually. "

They nod and then I turn and walk away, "Come on Cassandra, if you're going to stay with me your going to need to know where I live."

I head home and give her the store room (3rd bedroom which is actually pretty empty) to stay in. I tell her she is responsible for her own bedding and such.

She understands and makes do with the gear she has for now.