“WHAT IS THIS…” the voice of the Laid bellowed through the caverns as the green giant stomped towards the central chamber. “I SMELL…WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU!? AND WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOO DOING IN MAH SWAMP?”
“Hi there!” Jack casually called out from in front of the vault, as the rescued prisoners could be heard making noises of fear behind him. “Don’t mind me. I’m just here to rescue these fine people and steal your shit. It’s over for you.”
“OGRE FOR ME!? IT’S OGRE FOR YOU, BOY!” the Laird growled in anger. “YOU WANT TO TAKE MAH TREASURE? MAH PEOPLE?”
“They’re not your people and this ‘treasure’ is stolen from them,” Jack patiently replied, a mask of calm anger on his face. “And not only that, an unfortunate few have even starved to death and we were lucky to help the rest. Do you even realise the full extent of what you’ve done here? Do you even care?”
“I CARE FOR WHAT IS MINE BOY,” the Laird snarled. “ALL OF THIS WAS MINE, AND I INTEND TO KEEP IT ALL!”
“Yeah, I figured you’d say something like that,” Jack sneered. “That’s why you’ve gotta go.”
“GO?” the Laird boomed with a laugh. “I THINK YOU OGRESTATE YOUR CHANCES BOY!”
“Oh, I don’t think I do,” Jack replied mockingly as he pulled his new axe out to point it at the Laird. “I’m gonna kick your ass!”
The Laird roared and rushed at Jack, who just stood there calmly with his eyebrows raised.
The moment the giant crossed the centre of the room, they stumbled as Sephy’s tripwires in their path slowed them down and distracted them while Chiyo used her power to help trip him up, sending the Laird to one knee as the earth swirled beneath his feet.
The Greater Earth Spirit that had been lying in wait had little problem grabbing the limbs of the Laird as he tried to escape the trap, holding him down as Jack casually walked up to him.
“What? Did you think I’d fight fair?” Jack calmly asked. “I’d rather not, I'm afraid. After fighting the Cult of the Destroyer I had to fight the Klowns, with other psychos around and in between. I’m rather tired, to be honest, and after seeing first-hand the abysmal way you’ve been treating these people you’re meant to be responsible for, I don’t really think you’re worth the effort.”
He nodded to Zayle who had hidden in the corner, who gave the order to the Earth Spirit as it slowly dragged the Laird down.
“DAMN YOU BOY!” the Laird yelled in defiance as Jack began walking away back to the vault. “DAMN YO-”
“Ogrecharge,” Jack growled, suddenly letting loose with a heavy photon shot that smacked into the Laird’s head. He didn’t know if it had killed him as the Ogar’s head snapped back, but either way the Laird stopped struggling as the Greater Earth Spirit pulled him down and buried him deep into the rock below.
“Did you catch that, Vetchy?” Sephy asked the Lizta over comms. “I’ve already sent the video your way.”
“Yes Miss Hawker, I am satisfied that the Laird is no longer a problem. Please hold your position and guard the prisoners, we will be with you shortly. My Operatives are just wrapping up now.”
It didn’t take long for the Lizta to show up after that. Chiyo noted to the others how impressed she was that they had been able to resolve the situation in the district as quickly and efficiently as they could, and the Ilithii would be surprised indeed if any of the Lizta squads had taken casualties.
I suspect that Clan Ashtail does more than just run a Tea Garden, she mused, as Jack and Sephy shared a look of mutual understanding, before they were all surprised as Vetch Ashtail appeared in the flesh, flanked by several of the Lizta Operatives. Kritch was by his side carrying a black briefcase, and several more of the rat-like beings were behind them with auto-mules.
“Well now.” Vetch Ashtail smiled as he raised a hand to halt his people. “I think this is the happiest ending we probably could have hoped for. We’ve brought aid for the prisoners, will you allow them to be attended to?”
“Of course!” Jack moved to the side to allow the Lizta with auto-mules to move past him into the vault and begin delivering aid.
“Thank you, Mr Frost.” Vetch nodded, then motioned to Kritch. “I have authorised several magical items to be set aside for you in exchange for your assistance tonight, along with certain portions of the vault, and I hope they will serve you well in your…adventures.”
Kritch casually walked up to Jack and opened the case, revealing an interior of grey protective padding, in which were five bottles of varying liquids, three broaches and a thin, white walking cane. “So yeah guys, since we’re good with alchemy and stuff, we've got a couple of potions for you! They’re all labelled, and I’m sure you can confirm if you want, Chiyo!“
Gaseous Form, Enlarge Size, Protection From Acid, Quick Retreat and Clairvoyance, Chiyo quickly confirmed, seconded by Zayle. Very good!
“Heh, just don’t be tempted to use the Enlarge Size one in the bedroom, Jack! It doesn’t work like that!” Kritch grinned, though his face sobered on seeing the disapproving looks of the others. “Alright, these three broaches are all Broaches of Disguise. Just picture who you want to look like when you pin them on and you’ll look like that. Just don’t try and look like a Dragon or Storm Giant or something stupid like that since it won’t work, and that’s a pretty shitty disguise anyway.”
I think I know what this is... Chiyo replied in awe on picking up the cane.
“Yeah, we figured you might like it, and we don’t have a use for it.” Kritch grinned, before he looked to Zayle. “Oh, also! I requested some of that tea you and Rayle like, Zayle! Blue-Haze Leaf?”
“Oh really?” Zayle perked up excitedly. “Thank you, Kritch! You shouldn’t have!”
“Hey it’s no problem!” Kritch replied embarrassed as he scratched the back of his head.
“Anything else?” Sephy asked.
“Oh, you can keep the briefcase if you want!”
“Now if that is to your satisfaction…” Vetch interrupted. “I know we only wanted part of the vault’s contents, however, there are far more people here than I thought there would be. To that end, I would like to make an offer for the entire contents of the vault, as well as anything left in the Laird’s Lair.”
“Huh…” Jack replied, a little put off by the change. This was usually the part in films or on TV where things went bad…
“There is no threat being made here, Mr Frost,” Vetch quickly pointed out, recoiling slightly. “Nobody here is stupid enough to pick a fight with you. I simply suspect sorting people’s various belongings may be too tedious for you, and this will save some time. Besides, I am optimistic that we can work together again in the future, along with Miss Hawker and possibly the rest of your friends too.”
He had been generous so far, Chiyo advised Jack. Though I can’t help but feel that this was planned.
“We still have some loot from the Prefect’s Lockup to go through,” Sephy reasoned, whispering to Jack. “We don’t need to add to that if we can exchange it for something cool!”
“I’d be open to that.” Jack nodded. “It’s important that the people that suffered under the Laird’s rule are able to build themselves back up. If Zayle has anything they should probably take it from the vault first, though.”
“Well I don’t ask that of you for free.” Vetch nodded with a sly smile, as he reached into a pocket, before holding out his hand to present an object that made Chiyo gasp.
The orange translucent crystal was perfectly rounded, and glistened in the gloomy cavern with warm yellowish light that radiated from within its centre. Gazing at it, Jack felt a sense of calm and peace in his mind that he quickly shook off, remembering where he was.
“That’s a fancy-looking rock,” Sephy pointed out.
That is a Lifestone! Chiyo told them. Has to be!
“That is correct, Miss Dhasii.” Vetch smiled slyly. “Though this is of a Lesser variety, it is still quite potent and valuable. As it happens, Clan Ashtail acquired it recently and we don’t need it. I think it will serve as an acceptable trade.”
“Everything in the vault we were gonna take for one stone?” Sephy asked sceptically but Chiyo excitedly nodded to Jack.
“Alright…” Jack began, raising a hand to calm his companions down. “Let’s just pretend for a moment that I’ve magically appeared not knowing anything about this universe. What does it do?”
“When this stone is placed in a body of water, it purifies and enchants it with healing energies that instantly remove all dirt and impurities from your body when you bathe in it. Stay in that water, and it will energize and refresh your body, too,” Vetch explained clearly for Jack to understand. “However, you can use it to enchant drinking water too. Drinking said water will destroy most known diseases and poisons, but it will also boost your body’s natural healing abilities, allowing for quicker recovery.”
“I can think of an immediate use for that.” Jack nodded. He looked to the others, who nodded enthusiastically. “We have a deal.”
“Excellent!” Vetch smiled as he handed the warm-to-the-touch crystal to Jack before turning to the rest of his clan. “Now let’s get moving, people!”
*****
“Sorry we’re late,” Jack told Sigrin Bharzum as they were welcomed back to the temporary hospital. “I know we promised to come back and help last night, but we were exhausted and something came up…”
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“No apologies needed, Jack.” The Hoduth nodded in understanding. “We have enough healers to go around, and it’s been a lot easier the more we’ve been able to discharge victims.”
“Well we have something that’ll make it easier!” Sephy grinned as she pointed to Jack, who pulled out the Lifestone and showed it to her.
Peering at the stone with wide eyes but taking care not to physically touch it, Sigrin grinned. “Your team may have just saved us a lot of work, and some victims time and pain. Follow me. Your friend Alora is nearby tending to the Squa’Kaar.”
The group had made a beeline for Clan Bharzum territory as soon as they had wrapped up their business with Clan Ashtail. Zayle didn’t have much they wanted to recover from the vault, noting to the others some herbs they and Rayle had cultivated to help pay their rent that Zayle thought could be used to help brew something to help Dante, once Rayle had recovered themselves. From what Jack understood, while Zayle was a Shaman who was able to focus on communing with spirits, Rayle was a Druid who focused more on nature itself, and would be better suited to help treat a sick animal.
Either way, he was glad to get to know two of his new friends a little better, even though one of those friends was currently in a coma.
But perhaps that would change? He took the Lifestone out of his pocket, and knew that it could run out of charge before it would need to be left alone to automatically replenish its magic. Chiyo had clearly been impressed by it though, and it sounded good to Jack, but just how powerful was it really?
Jack was encouraged to see the corridors mostly bare and quiet, whereas before they had been packed to the brim with medics and victims.
“Yeah, we have a bunch of victims still with us, but they’ve been seen by the healers and we’ve set them up with accommodations elsewhere,” Sigrin told him when he had asked. “There’s a few Clan Medics with them just in case any complications arise, but for the moment we’ve offered them sanctuary until the fallout blows over and they can secure accommodations in the event that they’ve been made homeless.”
“Sounds good.” Jack nodded, before he remembered something Kritch mentioned earlier. “You and your clan aren’t going to bugger yourselves in the process of doing this, are you?”
“I should hope not!” Sigrin chuckled before her expression turned serious. “We have funds saved away for emergencies, but that won’t change the fact that our enemies may make a play. Hard times are ahead, so we’ve got to be alert. We’re primarily a trading and mining clan with several holdings around The Ring, mostly this area, but trade has a tendency to dry up when things go to shit. Anyway, here we are…”
Sigrin opened a sliding door to reveal Alora dabbing a wet cloth against the forehead of Rayle, who seemed to be breathing normally. Wrapped around their head were several bandages with different types of compresses to reduce the swelling.
“Hey Alora!” Sephy greeted the tired Eladrie. “Sorry we’re late, but by the gods we have a hell of a story for you and the others!”
“Hello everyone!” Alora tiredly smiled. “I take it you’ve done what you needed to do at least?”
And more. Chiyo told the Eladrie. We have a Lesser Lifestone.
“You’re serious?” Alora asked as Jack took it out and showed her. She touched it and felt the smooth crystal radiating warmth. Looking up to Sigrin with a wide smile of amazement, she asked one simple question.
“Do you have a bathtub by any chance?”
*****
“There we go,” Alora spoke softly as she gently dabbed the wet cloth against Rayle’s forehead. “The enchanted water will hopefully energise her and allow her to wake up on her own. If they do, getting them to drink some is the next step so it can better work its magic.”
“They’ll be happy to see Thulu and Stega again!” Zayle added, as the two possum-like critters peeked out from one of their coat pockets.
“Eek!” Alora jumped in shock on seeing them, though Jack was quick to stop her from falling back.
“Oh yeah, we forgot to tell you about that!” Sephy cackled with laughter as Alora looked back at her, thoroughly unamused. “Don’t worry, Zayle said they won’t be a pain.”
“I have no doubt they’ll fit right in.” Alora sighed, quickly composing herself. “They just surprised me, they’re adorable!”
There’s more of them as well, Chiyo added, not wanting Alora to be caught unaware by the smaller babies. They’ll be beneficial in keeping the place free of insects.
“That’s good, as long as they don’t mess with the plants.” Alora nodded in agreement.
“What…what’s going on…”
As one, everyone in the room spun round to look at the occupant of the bed. Rayle was looking at them all with a very confused expression, clutching their head as they cringed in pain.
“Well gods damn don’t we have a story for you…” Sephy finally answered.
*****
“Thank you all for helping out,” Sigrin told them all a few hours later. “That Lifestone has definitely been a game changer. Clan Bharzum never had a use for one before tonight, so I suspect we’ll be in the market for one in the coming months.”
“Indeed, you’ve saved the Sect of Esin much time, we’re stretched out thin as it is due to the scale of the Killer Klown’s attack,” the green-robed reptilian Xarak accompanying Sigrin added with a low rumble. “We shall leave you with sufficient nurses to aid and advise your people in caring for the victims, however, this is an excellent opportunity for us to reinforce other sites.”
Jack had met the Sect the previous day while he was helping out the medics. They were apparently a group of volunteers of varying skills that all worshipped Esin, a Goddess of Healing, and were a non-profit organisation that relied on charitable donations to offer healing to whoever needed it, with several notable exceptions. Unfortunately, due to their altruistic stance, they were small in number; hence why Clan Bharzum had to hire many other groups to assist them too.
“We understand, Dr Kerkeis, and we’re glad you’re able to help as many people as you can. Clan Bharzum have always been proud supporters of the Sect of Esin, and if you require anything you have our contact details. Call us anytime.”
“It is our pleasure, Elder.” Dr Kerkeis smiled with a respectful bow. “And as for you kids…” He turned to them all with a glint in his eye. “As I mentioned earlier to Mr Frost, our Sect offers free courses and online resources in First Aid. It would be our pleasure to teach you. Please book an appointment using our online form if you are interested. The spread of the Healing Arts is always something we aim to foster at the Sect of Esin.”
“Thank you, Dr Kerkeis.” Alora nodded respectfully as the man took his leave with several of his fellow volunteers. “We will be sure to do that!”
That was a good idea to ask, Jack! Chiyo added after he had left. Learning some basic first aid skills will probably come in handy sooner or later. I think if we book it, we should all sign up!
“I have a bunch of medic stuff linked to my commlink.” Sephy shrugged. “I don’t really need to.”
“There’s usually a difference between having a medical journal on you and actually knowing what you need to do,” Sigrin added with a shrug. “And in my experience, you don’t get enough time to get to the right page while your friend is bleeding out on the floor.”
“Well I think it will be a good activity for all of us to do together!” Alora replied in a tone that would allow for no debate. “And I’m sure Nika would agree too.”
“She’s gonna go insane from spending all this time on the shelf,” Sephy pointed out. “But it might be good to get Vanya into doing something with us. Apparently she had a panic attack while we were out.”
“I know, Nika sent me a message.” Alora sighed. “Vanya will heal and get better, we just need to give her time and whatever she needs when she needs it, even if it’s just you lending an ear to listen or a shoulder to lean on.”
“Speaking of healing,” Jack spoke up. “Are you sure you want to discharge yourself, Rayle? No offence, but it’s probably a smarter move to stay here and let the nurses keep an eye on you. You’re still pretty badly hurt!”
“Thank you for your concern, Halveer,” Rayle politely began “But as a Druid I am able to heal myself now that I am awake, and to do so most efficiently my body must be touching the earth.”
“That could probably be arranged here.” Jack shrugged. “But if you know what you’re doing and the doctors have cleared it, then just let us know how we can help.”
“A few blankets and shelter from the rain should do it.” Rayle smiled. “It’s something I do often, so please don’t worry!”
“Alright, the shuttle is on its way to take you home,” Sigrin interrupted after receiving a message on her commlink. “I’ve got to go, we’ll contact you soon once we’re past this mess.”
“Thank you, Sigrin!” Alora smiled as they parted ways.
*****
“So, there is more to Clan Ashtail than meets the eye.” Nika groaned as she shifted on the sofa to a more comfortable position. “Though I’m pretty sure we knew that anyway when they helped us dodge the Redeemer.”
“Did Kritch really help you out with a sniper rifle?” Rayle asked, eyes wide with wonder as they leaned against the wall in exhaustion.
“And with that, it’s time to get you to bed.” Jack grinned as he handed Rayle a stack of blankets, where the gecko would camp out in a sheltered part of the garden next to the house for the night to heal. “You can ask him for the story later. I’m meeting up with him early tomorrow.”
“What for?” Alora asked.
“He and I promised to help Kizzarith with something while he’s in his induced coma.” Jack shrugged embarrassedly. “Guy stuff. I’m meeting him at the Tea Garden then we’re heading into Red Legion territory, but I don’t plan to make it a long trip.”
“I’d watch out for Luvia if you go there,” Nika cautioned. “She’s pissed she didn’t see you during the party, and I think she had plans for you, Jack. She sent me a few messages asking about you while you guys were out helping Zayle.”
“Tough shit,” Sephy opined. “Miss ‘do what I want because I’m a rich bitch dragon’ can just deal with it, Jack doesn’t owe her a thing.”
“It’s just a flying visit anyway,” Jack added, wanting to calm the obviously tense Sephy down. “I’ll be in and out, then I can relax and maybe we can work on that Spider-bot for Industrial Vocation, Nika?”
“Damn right, it’s a hell of a design!” The Kizun grinned. “If we had a fabricator then I might be able to make us a few for use in the field or just doing a few menial tasks around the district.”
A fabricator might be a good investment, actually, Chiyo reasoned. Not a super-expensive industrial one or anything, but one that can make some intricate smaller parts, or uncomplicated larger bits?
“Would we even have the funds for that?” Sephy asked the room.
“We might do, but only just,” Alora told them after thinking for a moment. “We’ve locked in the hot tub, and it is true we have a lot of funds we should spend before they either drop in value or drop into nothingness. I was thinking we spend it on long-term supplies, or pay our bills in advance?”
“Rayle and I had a lot of food supplies preserved and packed, which we recovered today,” Zayle pointed out. “Plenty to go around, plus we have some crops we can plant. With Rayle’s magic, they will be sure to thrive!”
“We will need more supplies than just food, surely?” Jack argued.
“I…have supplies and things at my place we can bring over, when it’s safe to do so,” Vanya quietly added from where she was curled up on the sofa.
“Maybe see what we need and make a decision there?” Nika reasoned.
“I’d need time to find a seller anyway,” Sephy shrugged. “Unless you can think of anything else we might need?”
“Not immediately,” Nika slowly replied, thinking. “I know you wanted to clean the district up, Alora, but maybe we can put that on the backburner. At least with a fabricator we can use the debris for it. And that reminds me, there’s another thing I want us to do when we have the time or inclination. It’d be pretty sweet if we could fix up the shuttle!”
How would we even begin with that? Chiyo asked curiously, knowing Nika would have an idea.
“I’m thinking we just take some sheet metal from the local scrapyard and start by welding us a hull, and any other features we might need.” The Kizun grinned, positively salivating over the prospect. “We can think about the more complicated bits while we do it, since those will be harder to get anyway.”
“Sounds like a good idea, Nika.” Alora yawned as she plonked herself on the sofa.
“But why don’t we start in the morning?“