Novels2Search

Chapter 22: Connecting

Ding!

Congratulations! You have reached Level 6.

Your Class Power Rating has reached 36.

You have gained 11 [Archwizard Ability Points].

You have gained 1 point in all [Statistics] and 1 free [Statistic Point].

The two halves of the Glacier Spider fell to the ground, seperated by two strides. [Local Portal] could fit the whole body of the icy pests inside, but they were so fast I had trouble timing the Spell to catch them. [Force Punch] struck one across the cavern, giving off a sound like glass shattering. The last spider lept at me, but I [Dodged] it. Before it could recover and come back at me, I hit it with [Force Punch]. The cracking noise from its shell echoed off the walls.

There wasn't a kill notification. Shattering the exoskeleton didn't kill these creatures, but it did immoblize them. I had to go around and beat on them with [Force Punch].

“That's it,” I announced. “Do you want any help?”

Over the noise of the rushing water, Aern'Lenninisal muffled reply was, “That would void the Contract. You must be patient.”

I quietly watched as he went around the room picking up the carcasses. He was wrapped up in leathers, dressed halfway between a surgeon and welder. Strips of leather wound around his head. His eyes were covered in goggles with a removable filter, darker than the darkest sunglasses I had ever owned. His heavy leather apron dipped into the knee deep water as he walked.

I had put my moccasin toe in the water and decided it was not for me. He told me this insulated suit was already in his [Personal Wardrobe] because of a Quest he done years ago. It was apparently water tight too. The suit was perfect for this Floor.

The roof of the Dungeon was the bottom of a glacier. Scattered along the pathways were pools of magma. The battles here alternated between small creatures of ice or large creatures of fire. The air was close to normal temperature. The heat and cold were balanced as the water melted into the stream that Aern'Lenninisal was walking in.

The dead spiders dissappeared into his [Inventory] as soon as he picked them up. Having to watch him crawl all around the room was getting boring, especially now that it was time to go fight the Floor Boss. I knew I had to wait, but it irked me that my plan to Level him wouldn't work right away.

After we planned to have me escort him around to kill Floor Bosses, he realized that he had to much XP to make it work. He was nearing his next Level, meaning all of the Quests he was doing were repeats. He wasn't getting XP for them just Karma. Killing a Floor Boss would give some XP, but getting any XP for him right now was too much. He needed Quests that didn't give XP. Luckily fulfilling contracts was the bread and butter of [Lawful Neutral] Karma. If I didn't let him collect my monsters it would defeat the main purpose of him coming here today.

When he finished we, made our way to the Floor Boss Chamber. It was still empty. We had a few hours until it respawned. I wanted to get in line, even though almost nobody wanted to fight this Boss. First it was in the [True Neutral] Dungeon entrance. Hardly anybody ever came this way. Second it was almost impossible for Adventures of equal Level to beat it. The only time it was defeated was when higher Level Adventures needed to get through to the lower Levels to harvest materials or hunt.

Aern'Lenninisal pulled a folding table from [Inventory] and started to decore the monsters. He only had to ask me a few times to find the core locations with [Mattersight]. I was busy training [Local Portal] now that I had gained another Level. He finished before the Boss respawned.

“Here are your cores,” he said, handing me a burlap bag dripping with gore.

“You couldn't clean them,” I asked.

It was disgusting.

“That was not part of the contract. I would lose Karma,” he replied.

I took them and whisked them into [Inventory]. I would have to find a place to clean them before I did anything with them.

“I've been meaning to ask you. I have two extra tickets to Allalessa's election party. Do you want to go. I here she's going to put on a show,” I inquired.

“No. I do not appreciate that sort of thing. Bards and Core Magic are too closely associated with [Chaos] for my liking,” he answered.

I thought back to the house party that masqueraded as the temple of Enches, when I had Soulburned the Boon for Carnals. That part had been a little fun.

“You don't like parties,” I asked.

“I do not. There are not many who are friendly to my Alignment in Aeseiriral. There is no point increasing my exposure to the people who wish to insult me,” he said.

Sympathetically I said, “You just need to find more people like you. Everdale is [Lawful Neutral]. Have you thought about hanging out there?”

“I was only able to leave Aeseiriral because you contracted with me. No Gate operator will allow passage of minor without specific authorization. It would be improper to 'hang out' as you say. The purpose of the contract is not to have fun,” he explained.

I nodded and said, “I wondered why you were so insistent that you couldn't just do Quests in other cities. You can't get the Quest until you get there, and you can't get there if you don't have the Quest.”

“It is a conundrum,” he commented.

“If you're not going, could you ask Emearia if she wants to go with me,” I asked.

He looked at me suspiciously, “What are your intententions with Emearia?”

“I assure you it's purely contractual. I need her to convince Selenia to come with us when we kill Floor Bosses,” I said.

“Then why not invite Selenia to the concert? She is a wonderful singer. I am sure she would enjoy it,” he suggested.

I chucked and said, “No! You have a lot to learn about the art of the wingman,” I said. “If you-”

“There is that word again! How can you use it so casually? You are talking about the reputation of a young elfess,” he said a little insensed.

“You're not getting the full meaning of the word. It's doesn't have to be about having sex. It's about making your friend look [Good] enough in her eyes, and her friends eyes for everyone to think the relationship is a [Good] idea.”

He was quiet a few moments before speaking again, “How will asking Emearia to the party help Selenia think being with me is [Good].”

“It won't. Not directly. To get Selenia we need to get Emearia. You're going to tell Emearia that I have Cores and that you thought she might want buy them from me. You're also going to tell her that you know I have a ticket to a political party and I need some help socially navigating it. You're going to recommend that if she goes with me to help me, I might give her a discount on the cores.”

“This seems very contrived. Why would you give her a discount for going to the party? She should be treating it as a favor from you,” he asked.

“Because I want her to come delving with us. I know it's a favor. You know it favor. She know's it's a favor, but because it's not called a favor she can't count it as a favor. Every time we go to go close a deal she owes me something else. Every time we have a fair trade for her coming along, she still owes me for next time. If we keep Emearia coming we can keep Selenia coming,” I replied.

He asked, “Why not invite both of them? You have two extra tickets.”

I shook my head, “No, I need the other one for Laerenshel. She handed out all of those illusion cubes. Having her there will get me more points with Allalessa. Plus, getting Laerenshel on my side gives me a contact working at the Faction. More importantly, if you're the one delivering the information it might look like you're doing it to score points with Selenia. This way it looks selfless.”

He took time to process the information and then smiled, “I believe I can earn [Law Karma Points] from this. What Skill are you using to score these Points and how can I help you score Points for Allalessa. I did not even know you liked her.”

I laughed and said, “I don't like her like that. She seems friendly and may be an ally against your mother. They're metaphorical points, an expression from my homeworld. Though on this planet it might be a Skill.”

“Yes, [Profitable Pleasantries]. It is fun to play, but considered impolite to weave it into every conversation. There are other mini-games for that,” he said.

We went back to practicing our Spells. I filled up his Mana as needed until the portal turned black. I stood and got ready.

“Remember. What comes out of there will be hot. If you have to run, don't worry about me. Jump in the stream and remember not breath it in,” I said.

He nodded, and I pumped Chi into my Virtues.

Now I was ready. I said, “[Armor of Justice],” except it didn't activate.

I said it again. And again. Nothing happened.

“You have to put more emphasis in it. It's [Armor of Justice!] not [Armor of Justice],” he informed me.

I knew it! Subs beats dubs! The English versions of anime sounds like they're made for children. The Japanese versions have a rising emphasis at the end of whatever it is they're shouting, because they're adults who are passionate about their cause. You've got to be willing to read the subs and not just listen to the dubs to get the real thing.

“[Armor of Justice!],” I shouted as I charged into the Boss Chamber. This time the golden glow surrounded me.

The path was a moderate incline all the way down to a pool of magma. A Giant Spitting Fire Salamander Boss sat in the bubbling basin. The magma was about twenty strides across. The salamander was eight strides long and stride of it stuck up out of the lava. It started shooting [Firebolts] at me from its mouth. I took no damage because of [Armor of Justice].

When I was a few steps from the edge of the molten stone I materialized a cubic stride of ice from [Inventory]. I used it to arrest my momentum as I threw it forward. It weighed almost a ton, but with my augmented strength it felt like it a ninety-pound child, or whatever my eleven-year-old sister weighed when I threw her in the pool.

I held my breath as the ice arced through the air. With [Double Temporal Flow] running, it looked like it was in slow motion. The shore was a stride and half above the glowing liquid. I'd timed it just right! It landed on the salamander's head!

Thankfully, the first explosion threw me back against the wall. Billowing clouds of water vapor rolled over me. It felt like a sauna. I couldn't see the second explosion. I didn't hear it either, because my eardrums were blown out. I did feel it. It felt like a gut punch all over my body. I could see glowing globs of lava flying through and illuminating the steam. A small one landed on my moccasin and burned a hole in my calf. I lost Stamina, Mana, and Chi as the pain drilled into me leg.

I pulled another cubic stride of ice from [Inventory] and put the burning sensation on it. It still hurt, but it wasn't getting any worse. I began with [Recharge Stamina] because that was the lowest. When Stamina passed Mana I switched to [Recharge Mana]. I lay there until everything but [Health] was at full.

I checked my the notification log for damage. I had taken 37 points of damage from the explosion and 61 points of damage from the Lava over two seconds. I had 93 out of 191 Points of [Health] left. That was the damage that got past the 164 points of [Damage Reduction] in [Armor of Justice]. I see now why my clever plan was not in the Dungeon guidebook for this monster.

The monster! I didn't have a kill notification yet! I could put weight on my left leg, but pain shot through it when I did. I held it out to the side while using my hands like a three legged dog. I could see solidified grey stone covering the area around where I had thrown the ice block from. It felt hot through the [Armor of Justice] but I wasn't taking damage.

The magma was a little lower. The salamander was in bad shape. Its skull was open. The brain was giving off more light than the magma. Around the edge of the hole in its head, parts of the tissue looked like stone. The grey parts slowly started to get brighter and the wound was closing. I knew salamanders regenerated but, come on!

I tossed a [Force Punch] into the exposed brain. Glowing goo splashed out of the skull.

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You have killed a Giant Spitting Fire Salamander Boss.

You gain 30 XP.

Claim your Prize!

The stalagmite with the blue ball atop it, rose at the edge of the magma. I hopped over to it, and reach out. I wasn't taking damage but if I fell in, I knew I would be. I took the lootball. It was a pair of leather bracers. I looked at the corpse laying in the pool of lava and realized I had to cool that lava down or Aern'Lenninisal wouldn't get credit for collecting my cores. Aern'Lenninisal! I hoped he was alive. That blast might've killed him.

I hobbled out of the cavern to see him laying on his back on the other side of the stream. He was wet all over and waved.

“Brace for more,” I screamed.

When I got to doorway to the Boss Chamber, I stepped to the side and peaked around the corner. It was just at the edge of my range. I summoned my [Astral Grimoire] and began casting [Local Portal]. A horizontal gateway opened next to me and I dropped a block of ice through it. I hugged the wall. A blast of water vapor, air, and steam rushed out of the portal. I repeated the process until I dumped the other seven blocks of ice I had.

I couldn't quite reach the pool with the range I had on [Local Portal]. Some had tumbled in, but the rest were melting by the edge of the lava. Steam kept roiling out of the opening. I moved away and made it to the edge of the stream as my [Armor of Justice] wore off. The cold brook felt good on my leg.

“Are you all right,” I asked Aern'Lenninisal.

He said something but I couldn't hear it.

“I can't hear. My eardrums are blown,” I said, “Are you OK,” I asked giving him a thumbs up.

He nodded and gave me thumbs up back.

“Sorry about that. It didn't go as planned,” I said looking back at the billowing clouds coming out of the Boss Chamber. “Note to self. Do not throw ice in lava.”

I cast [Identify] on the bracers.

Salamander Skin Bracers of [Fire Reduction]

Level 6, Uncommon Magic Item.

Reduce [Fire] Damage by 3.

The loot was not worth what I had to go through to get it. It took me half an hour to use [Body Reformation] to recover my [Health], and twice that long for the steam to clear out of the Boss Chamber. Getting my hearing back was the best part. Aern'Lenninisal had to chisel some of the stone out around the salamander, and then use a cleaver to hack away the monster's bones. He had a neat toolbox full of tools. It was almost a full cubic stride to fit into [Inventory], with multiple drawers and a top that folded up. I knew I had to get one.

After he got the salamander's core, I escorted him back to surface and handed him a Guild token to get him to the Gate complex in Everdale and gold to pay for the Gate. He had to get back to Everdale before the end of the day. Celestiumday wasn't his day off. He could pretend to be at the Magical academy only if he got back in time. The Amulets that he and I where wearing were on loan form Harmin. Hopefully, they would keep the diviners out of my business for now.

I returned to the [Chaotic Evil] Dungeon entrance. I tried to get in line for the Floor Boss, but I was too late. I was busy grinding three [Limit Breaks] before I ran out of time and had to get back to Aeseiriral. The first two went to [Faith] and [Confidence] as usual. The third one was in Intelligence. I put the Point toward buying two Levels in High Wizard Implements.

Classes usually have three different Ability choices at Tier 1. Wizard and Mage Ability Choices were pretty similar. The choices at Tier 1 broke down to Tome, Tools, and Consumables. Wizard, High Wizard, and Archwizard counted as separate Classes. As an Archwizard I had access to all of them plus the Arcane Abilities choices other Basic Casters like Mages had. That gave me access to twelve, Tier 1, in-Class Choices.

The Tome choices were [Astral Scroll], [Astral Grimoire], [Astral Ledger], and [Astral Folio]. The Mage option, [Astral Scroll] allowed the preperation of a Spell that could be cast at the minimum casting time without Mana. [Astral Grimiore], the Wizard Choice let me store my Spells like a typical Spellbook. High Wizards had access to [Astral Ledger], which would let me record Pacts for Summons. [Astral Folio] was the Archwizard choice and allowed bonding with Familiars.

For the Wizard Classes, Tools and Components came with five choices. Each choice cost 1 Ability Point, but it was better to buy them all at once. When purchased together they counted as a group. There were Quests that expanded the list, and if you bought them all together as a group the Quest rewards would be increased.

The Tool choices for Wizards were Implements. They're like Magical Items, but required Ability Points to be spent before they could be used. The High Wizards Implements are [Spell Gems], [Raiments], [Manastones], [Golems], and [Nodes]. I purchased 2 Levels, so I had to spend 14 points plus the point from the Intelligence [Limit Break]. With 2 Levels I could use two of each simultaneously. I could control two Golems at once, and wear two [Raiments] at the same time. Nellamon had promised me one for attending his wedding and I wanted to be ready for it.

I hadn't decided on buying Implements at this time when I started designing my build, but it worked out better to change it. I had plans, but for now, I had to return to Aeseiriral to get some sleep before training started back up later in the evening.

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I had been at the restaurant for over an hour. Aern'Lenninisal had recommended it for a salad they served. It was cubed grilled chicken over a bed lettuce and spring mix, with tomatoes, diced and sliced vegables, cheese, candied cranberries, and a raspberry vinegrette. The salad was excellent. I added it to my [Personal Pantry]. I was a little leary of more chicken, but the first major addition I had made was a ribeye with a loaded baked potatoe. The salad added some variety.

I checked the time on the HUD again. It was a quarter after five o'clock. The girls were fifteen minutes late. They insisted on meeting in a public place. I had only been standing out front for twenty minutes. Unfortunately, it started to rain. I was under the cover of a canopy, but I had on my black lace. It was a little more stylish than the white. I didn't want to get it wet and have to change out to the white before I arrived at the election party.

I was lost in my own thoughts when their horseless carriage pulled up. It had no wheels. It floated. It looked like a carriage out of fairy tale, except there were no horses or driver. It was bubble shaped. Even the windshield and windows continued the spherical form. Fancy gold scrollwork covered the shiny white finish. Selenia, Emearia, and Laerenshel sat across the back seat. Another empty seat faced them. When they opened the door for me to enter, it was the only place to sit. Luckily I don't get carsick. Even facing backward.

“Thank you so much for inviting us,” Laerenshel gushed. “This means so much to me.”

“Not a problem,” I said. “It's nice to see you, Selenia, but I'm afraid my invitation only allows for two guests.”

It was Emearia who answered, “Oh, no. She is just travelling with us. I told my mother I was going out to see some live music, and that Selenia was taking me. I could not lie to her.”

All of them giggled.

I frowned, “Is it really [Good] for me to be participating in tricking your mother. I am suppose to be something like a teacher,” I asked.

“You could come and meet my parents, and explain how you want to take me into a Dungeon,” she said pointedly.

I said, “You make [Good] life decisions. I'm sure your parents would be proud.”

The ladies giggle again.

I invited them all to a Party and engaged [Party Chat].

'Now you will be able to help me avoid making a faux pas. I'm only Level 6 so this is limited to six strides,' I thought at them.

Faction Boons tended to be low powered. They didn't cost Ability Points after all.

'Worry not,' Emearai though as looked disinterestedly out the carriage window. 'We have a lot of practice with [Party Chat]. Selenia has it.'

Selenai turned to Emeraia and engaged her, saying, “What song do you most want Allalessa to play?”

It was immediately followed by a [Party Chat] from the Sacred Saint, 'Do not make assumptions about, Laerenshel. Do you have much practice with multitalking Learenshel?'

“'Floor Boss Boogie,' of course,” Emearia said enthusiastically.

'Of course I do. All of my classmates took [Party Chat]. I took [Post Letter], so I was the only one who could send messages over great distances. I was needed,' Laerenshel responded quietly.

Aloud she said, “My favorites are from her older albums. 'War Cry,' is such a sad song, but so beautiful. Another is 'How We Love.' I prefer her ballads.”

Selenia thought at me at the same time the other two were having their conversation, 'I have heard you want me to go back into the Dungeon with you. Would it not be better for me to avoid being covered in spider guts again.”

Before I could answer, Emeria asked me, “What me about you, Eric. What song to do you want to hear tonight?”

I switched focus and said, “'Floor Boss Boogie' is my favorite too.”

Into [Party Chat] I thought, 'The same reason you went last time. One of your friends needed help. Wasn't part of our deal that you wouldn't tell anyone about our training sessions. Both of you seemed to forget that Learenshel doesn't know about any of it. Plus you said it out loud. For Awaesha'Feleen's diviners to hear. Wouldn't it have better to keep it all secret.'

[Acumen], [Integrity], and [Confidence] triggered.

“The carriage is [Warded],” Selenia said with a sheepish, guilty look.

'I was prying. I asked why two young elfesses would be associating with an adult man. They swore me to secrecy and told me about Harmin and your training. I see now why you did not flinch at spending that much gold to buy the albums for your Page Quest,' Laerenshel answered.

“The carriage windows are clear. Someone might read your lips,” I said.

Selenia looked confused, “What would be written on them?”

'Learenshel, if you're sworn to secrecy, would you consider helping me do my business without others knowing,' I thought in [Party Chat].

“Lip reading is skill my people developed. Just by watching a persons lips it's possible to make a good guess at what they are saying,” I said to Selenia.

“That is an actual Skill,” she asked in amazement.

“If it's not I'm going to make it one,” I said.

Learenshel asked, 'What would I have to do?'

'Besides keeping my secrets, sending messages under [Ward]. Most of it will probably be dealing with Allalessa,' I replied.

'I will do as you ask,' Learenshel responded. Her excitement wasn't just in her message. She started squirming in her seat like she wanted to jump for joy.

“I will try to be more careful in the future,” Selenia said, regaining her composure.

“Why don't you tell me about Allalessa's best songs,” I said.

The girls started a cover conversation, but I tuned it out.

Over [Chat] is said, 'You might as well know it all then. Remember to keep it secret. I want to have Harmin extend your training to fighting Floor Bosses. I'll escort you through the Dungeon so that's all you'll have to fight. That'll be more Karma than you can get from Quests. You guys would also decore the monsters that I kill. Emearia get's to buy them at a discount.'

The cover conversation ended when I said 'fighting Floor Bosses.'

'You want me to [Heal] while you fight,' Selenia asked.

'Yes. You would get even more XP and Karma than the others,' I answered.

“More! You want me to-” she cut herself off before finishing the sentence aloud.

'You want me to fight a Floor Boss? How am I suppose to kill a Floor Boss,' she demanded silently but with fierce look on her face.

'With a lot of gear and planning,' I replied.

It took a while to alleviate their fears, but by the time we got to Allalessa's estate they were on board.

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Allelessa's home was much smaller than I had imagined. It was no bigger than a McMansion, about twenty strides square and two stories high. It did have a six story tower overlooking the city. The property was about a hundred and fifty strides on each side, or about four acres back on Earth.

The estate was surrounded by an six stride high wall on three sides. The fourth wall was the wall to the Inner City. An open lawn covered an inner lane, a third the width of the space between the walls. The luxurious green grass ran from the front door of the house to the front gate. The spaces along the walls stepped up three times until they reached a patio near the top of the wall on each side of the lawn. The view into the city was spectacular. Allalessa's home sat above most of the highest bypass bridges, so it was possible to look down on half of the Outer City. Even her tower did not stand above the Inner City wall, which her home backed up to.

The grounds were exquisite. Every pathway had a carefully manacured set of plants, in raised beds, boxed in by stone covered in bas relief. The images were mainly floral, but there were a few of birds and bees. There were small statues of an elves or beasts scattered around the gardens.

I was grazing off the charcuterie board at the end of the patio nearest the house. The temples were easy to see from here. I was searching out all the buildings I'd been to in the city. I had found the Chapterhouse for the Faction, and the Merchant's Guild building where I lived. I was looking for the immigration office when my train of thought was interupted.

'How can you still be eating,' Emearai asked over [Party Chat].

'Easily' I thought back as I popped the cheese in my mouth. 'Is there something wrong about what I'm doing. I don't want to be rude.'

'You have not been rude. I marvel at how much you can consume. Do all humans eat this much,' she asked.

'I'm not sure. Back home I could eat more than most. Not everyone was impressed, but I like to be [Good] at what do,' I replied.

'Well you have certainly been [Good] at eating our host's food. You tried every meat and every desert in every caterer's tent here,' she thought at me.

I looked back over the gathering. There were eight tents full of food from the best restaurants in the city. I wasn't sure if Allalessa had paid them to be here, or they had paid her. The food was excellent. I would definitely be visiting them in the coming days.

I [Noticed] Bloomemeia walking up with Leanosel. I wondered what they were doing here.

Bloomemia has invited you to join her Party. Accepting will disolve your current Party as you are the Party Leader. Do you wish to accept this Party invitation?

'I'm getting an invite from someone I know to join her Party. What do I do? I don't want to lose your help,' I asked.

'Join and ask to add us to the Party,' Learenshel said.

I accepted the invitation. By the time I had done that, they were in speaking range.

“Hello, Eric,” Leanosel said. Offering me his hand. “Are you enjoying the party?”

“I am. Finding out about that pork horderve covered in brown sugar was worth coming all by itself. I've been planning which restaurants to visit next week,” I said.

As he chuckled, Bloomemeia gave me a sending, 'Why are you with Laerenshel? You could be risking another visit from immigration enforcement.'

Verbally she gestured at Emearia and Larenshel and said, “Would you introduce your guests to us, Eric. I don't believe we've met.”

“This is Emearia, and Learenshel,” I said.

I noticed that Leanosel was already in the Party.

'That has to do with the business. Should we be discussing it with...well...,' I looked at Leanosel.

'Worry not. He is a friend. He knows about Harmin and particulalry about what you have been doing with Nellamon,' she replied.

'I can use her to communicate with Allalessa. Learenshel has [Post Letter]. I want their help getting into the Dungeon in Aeseiriral. Can you invite them to the Party.'

'Not a bad idea. Your friends will have to wait to join, we have some things to discuss,' she sent.

“I have heard so much about you from Eric, but I must hear it from you. Tell us about yourselves,” Bloomemia said.

While the girls were explaining their relationship to me, Leanosel was using [Party Chat] to ask, 'Why are you taking Aern'Lenninisal into Dungeons? Brindaesal appreciates what have done for his son, but why do have keep stirring up so much political trouble?”

'Aern'Lenninisal is my friend. The money's nice, but if it was a choice between Nellamon and the rest I would choose, Aern'Lenninisal. Aern'Lenninisal is the product of a culture that needs to see him fail. All of your young are being crushed by the burden you're putting on them. Selenia is talking about waiting a thousand years to start a family, because there are too many old matriarchs trying to divy up your males. Your race is dying. You said that patience is the watchword of elven culture. At some point it became unnecessary delay, and now it's just stagnation. Aern'Lenninisal is willing to buck your culture. If he succeeds it won't just be [Good] for him, it'll be [Good] for all the elves,' by the end my rant, my vehemence surprised even me.

Leanosel looked away and said, “Why yes, Learenshel. I do all of my business through the Meldreanain Chapterhouse. I rarely come in anymore, and when I do, I fly directly to the back offices. That is probably why we have never met. I must come down and see all new Pages and Counsels. I am too old and set in my ways. That needs to change.”

“I look forward to it,” Learenshel replied.

To me he sent, 'When you speak with Allalessa, tell her Leonsal said 'It sounded [Good],' and she will know to help you get into the Dungeon.'

'Great! I still haven't seen her yet. Do you know where I can find her,' I asked.

Bloomemeia said, “I thought your invitation was for the V.I.P. lounge. Have you been inside yet. Allalessa will go on stage soon.”

“Oh. I didn't put that together,” I said.