Without the tree spirit the odds are fairly low, but I am not taking any chances. The enchantments aren't anything too complicated, but there are a lot of them. The real challenge is making sure none of them conflict or interfere with each other.

The foundations for the castle are fairly deep, so I have to create a new enchantment. It needs to make room for the foundation of the castle when it is put down. I also want it to fix the ground when the castle is removed, I don't want to leave huge holes everywhere.

The easiest way I find is to create a pocket of holding in the foundation to store the dirt and rocks. It takes a bit of experimentation to get the enchantment to work the way I want, but I am happy with the results. The rest of the enchantments are all ones I have done before so there are no surprises.

In the end, it takes me almost three hours to complete all of the enchantments. However, I am not done yet, the tower for Lin needs to be enchanted separately. Mainly due to the enchantments for the spell testing room to contain any accidents.

The tower won't be connected to the core of the castle, it will be completely separate. The enchantments for the tower take me another hour, mainly because of the testing room. Those enchantments need to be super strong to handle our combined spells.

When I am done and everything is activated the castle shrinks down to about the size of a shoe box. It is a little bigger than I originally planned, but it fits into the pouch so it isn't a problem. Now that it is done I take off and fly back to the ship, hoping I didn't miss dinner.

It turns out I am late, but Lin held off on feeding the kids until I got back. Instead of eating from the food pouch, I take out the last of the drake meat and cook it. Once we are done eating I play with the kids for a while to wear them out.

Lin says "So, did you finish the castle?"

"Yeah, I did."

Lin says "When can I see it?"

"How about tomorrow we take the kids with us and try it out?"

Lin says "That sounds like a good idea. Are we looking for adventure or just camping?"

"Just camping. Although, with as comfortable as the castle is, it can't really be called camping."

Lin says "Well, then what would you call it?"

"I designed it to be a home. A home that we can take with us anywhere we have to go."

Lin says "A home we take with us, I like that!"

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"So do I. I have felt bad for not having a place for my kids to call home other than the tower, which isn't mine."

Lin says "While I have only met your other kids through the soulscape, I would say that they don't miss it. Considering what you have told me, they are well adjusted and it is plain to see that they love you."

"Yeah, I got really lucky. In all honesty, Kechara and Asuna should hate me."

Lin says "Why would they hate you?"

"I killed their mothers."

Lin says "From what I know of you, you probably didn't have a choice. I don't think they hold it against you, if they even remember it. Even if they do remember it, the love and affection you have shown them has earned their forgiveness."

"Thanks for that. I hope you are right. Either way, I still want to do as much for them as I can while I am still around."

Lin says "Just love them. In the end, that is all that really matters."

"I will, but that won't stop me from trying to do more. It's my hope that I can build them into a family that will hold together after I am gone."

Lin says "From how they play together in the soulscape I am pretty sure that they will."

"I hope so."

Our conversation stops there as Mulan and Mushu come over and collapse next to me. They have played as much as they can and are completely worn out. So, I pick them up, carry them to the fire pit, and then pet them until they fall asleep.

Nala and Albion on the other hand, while worn out, aren't quite ready for bed yet. So, I grab the book Lin has been reading to them from and start reading out loud. Luckily, she marked where she left off and I just continue from there so that she can finish her robe.

I barely get through two pages before the two of them are fast asleep. After marking the page, I put the book back where I found it, and move the kids to the fire pit. Then I sit down and just watch Lin as she works on finishing the robe.

Lin smiles and says "I can finish this tomorrow if you are impatient."

"No, it's fine. I am enjoying watching you work. I can stitch leather, but I am too clumsy to do fine stitches like those."

Lin says "Maybe normally, but if you shrink you can probably do it."

"Maybe, but I have enough crafts. I will leave the sewing to you."

Lin says "That's fine. I happen to enjoy sewing. So, how does it look?"

"It looks good. I will be adding some silver and gems to increase the amount of enchantments I can add. So try to think of how you want it to look when I am done and I will do my best."

Lin says "The silver I can understand, but won't the gems be too big and gaudy?"

"I won't use the gems in one piece. I will crush them into powder first and then add them."

Lin says "Alright, let me think about it. I do have one request though."

"Name it."

Lin says "Considering you and most of the kids, fire immunity would be nice!"

"That was already part of my plan. If I can, I plan to add protection against most of the elements."

Lin says "That would be great. I am a little tired of worrying about getting burned."

"Sorry, I should have thought of that earlier."

Lin says "It's alright. I can protect myself with a spell. I know the kids would never hurt me on purpose."

"Well, now you won't have to worry about it."

Lin smiles at me and then turns back to the robe and I watch until she finishes it. I was planning to work on it tonight, but Lin gives me a smile and heads for the bedroom. The robe can wait until the morning, I get up and follow Lin, locking the door behind me.

In the morning, I wake up early and quietly leave the room not wanting to wake Lin. The kids are also still asleep, so I keep quiet in hopes of not waking them. Taking the robe from where Lin put it I start adding the gems and silver to it.