Chapter 117

Jay had made it a habit to pass out any shared money to the group immediately so he wouldn't forget. He had also had some money from performing aura cleanings. When M'redith sat with him and helped manage the crowd he would split the money with her, which he had done so just the other night. All that Jay was left with was a pile of his own coin.

Jay and Boland spent an hour going over what money he had made and how he had made it so Boland could keep track of everything. In turn Boland went over the progress of Jay's mini golf course.

“It's all set and ready to go. I went by the other day and it looks wonderful, I think you're really going to love what Toren did with the place.” Boland stated with a wide grin.

“Was there any problems getting it set up?” Jay asked as he expected the standard answer of 'no, no, everything went well!'

Boland took things in a different direction however. “Absolutely. Someone actually had plans to steal the property right out from under you.”

Jay blinked when Boland didn't continue. “And?”

“And they're..no longer in the property market, shall we say?” Boland said with a wide grin.

Jay smiled uncertainly, “Then everything is all set?”

“What did I just say! Everything is all set and ready to go. Don't worry, when I 'fix' something it stays 'fixed.' Oh, also, Toren needs your go-ahead on the opening. It would be for not tomorrow but the Saturday after that.”

Jay shrugged, “I guess I can fit it in to my busy schedule?”

Boland paused, “You know your schedule is pretty busy. And it is getting busier. I got a request to pass on to you. The Church of Gaia would like a word. Specifically Brother Orin, you know him?”

Jay nodded surprising Boland. “I do. My adventuring group and I did a run for him. He actually found us at the Guild bath house and asked if we'd be willing to do another run. He was pretty cagey about it though.”

Boland nodded, “Sounds about right. Word is the Church has stumbled on to something that could change how they run their dungeons. Or at least one of them. All thanks to you!”

“What? I haven't found anything lately!” Jay insisted.

Boland laughed, “Not like that – it's thanks to you because you are a Traveler. I've heard that the Church loved what you did with their temple at Kagan's Dome and that got one of their priests thinking – what else might you be able to do?”

“What else?” Jay asked. “Great. Now they're actively looking for things for me to do.”

Boland smiled, “There are worse problems to have. The Church is a good group to have owe you a favor.”

Jay nodded.

“Anyways, they've found something.” Boland shared as if it were a secret.

“Found what?” Jay asked.

“Something for you to do!” Boland said loudly, startling Jay. “There are plenty of old stories that tell of something that used to work that no longer does. This priest found one in particular that he had always found fascinating – a device to allow more than one group in to a dungeon at once.”

“What? I haven't heard of anything like that, I'm pretty sure someone would have mentioned it by now.” Jay asked.

Boland shook his head. “The information is not just old, it's ancient. Fragmentary. One major problem though – it required a traveler. And look – here you are! A traveler!”

Jay nodded and smiled.

“I'm still looking to find out more but I have a feeling they'll just tell us soon enough. Brother Orin asked to set up a time to meet with you but it sounds like he got tired of waiting. What did you give him for an answer?” Boland asked as he fiddled with a solid gold cuff link that had gone askew.

“I told him sure, as long as Walter was ok with it. We're still in basic training.” Jay said as he sat back and leaned in to the plush padding of his chair.

“Good. Good. That's that then. We'll find more out soon.” Boland said. “You've made a few coin from Redgrass, its all here for you to look at when you like,” Boland finally said as he slid a sheet of paper over to Jay that detailed his holdings, account balances, and income streams. “Anything for me?” he finally asked.

Jay looked over the sheet of paper before folding it in half and placing it in a pocket on his vest. “Yes actually. Can you reach out to the Redguard? They saved me and my group recently and we'd like to buy them a drink.”

Boland eyed Jay for a moment with a smile, “Let me guess – you want to meet them at Redgrass?”

Jay grinned, “Why not? Everyone seems to love the place, there's a line to get in, and the food and drink are amazing. So what if I own a bit of the place.”

Boland nodded, “It's a nice touch. Any time good for you?”

Jay waved a hand in the air, “Nine or so would be good. My group is meeting up there at eight so that should give us plenty of time to get set up.”

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Boland nodded, “I know their assistant officer in charge, I'll reach out and send the invite after you leave. When were you rescued?”

Jay told him the day and general time and Boland made a note. “They often don't remember names, just places and times. It's not like you stopped and introduced yourself, right?” Boland asked.

Jay shook his head, “There was very little time for introductions,” he said with a mirthless laugh.

“Well then you'll just have to make up for that tonight. Listen,” Boland began, “don't be offended if they don't show up. They get a lot of offers after a rescue and if they took every one they wouldn't have any time left over for actual rescues, ok?”

Jay nodded, “I think M'redith really needs to talk with one of them but other than that we really just want to show our thanks.”

“Well, free beer is rarely turned down, I guess we will see.” Boland said, “Anything else?”

“Are you coming next Saturday? To the opening? I'd love to have you there.” Jay offered.

Boland nodded, “Wouldn't miss it! And if you need anything before then you know where to reach me.”

Jay stood up and shook Boland's hand. “Thanks again Boland, looking forward to it.”

They spoke a few more minutes about nothing of consequence before Jay finally walked back out in to the city night. He leaned up against the stone building as he waited for a cart to come by so he could grab a ride. The doorman eyed him momentarily before recalling that he had been there to see Boland. The doorman decided that it wouldn't be wise to tell a client of Boland's to not lean on the building, even if he technically was supposed to tell him exactly that.

A cart finally rolled by and Jay waved it down and gave him the next address before hopping in back and getting comfortable.

----

REDGUARD, Combat Search & Rescue OPS (CSAR-OPS)

c/o Assistant Officer in Charge (AOIC)

Subject: Free Beer & Food

It is with great appreciation that we extend this invitation for a night of free drinks and food in honor of Redguard's recent operations in support of Glimmerhide Group. Please join us as our guests this evening at 9pm at Redgrass for a night of relaxation and enjoyment as a token of our thanks.

We ask that you do not wait in line but instead approach the man working the door directly. You will be expected.

Sincerely,

Glimmerhide Group

----

Jay got bored as he sat in the cart so he decided to go through his bag. He had a display he could bring up to view the bag's contents. As soon as he brought up the mental display he noticed something was off.

The display showed a grid with each space in the grid holding an object. His writing kit was in there, and so was his Dungeon Table Figurine. One of the squares showed his Toy Box. There were quite a few filled squares but there was one square in particular that drew his interest.

A small, purple, treasure chest.

When he let his vision linger over the object a call out box popped up next to it with the words 'Small Group Treasure Chest' helpfully displayed.

“Where did you come from little guy?” Jay asked the treasure chest as he mentally selected it and withdrew it from the bag.

It was a small treasure chest, just like the description had said. The chest itself was purple but was covered in silver swirls and tiny silver detail work. It looked, in a word, fancy.

Jay wracked his brain trying to remember where he had gotten it. He could have sworn the group had opened all of the chests they had found. So where had this mystery purple group chest come from?

It was a group chest so he couldn't just open it now. Or rather he could open it now but the social ramifications of doing so were too dire to consider. His group would never forgive him – opening a group chest without the group present was a huge no-no. No one even had to tell Jay it was a no-no, he just knew. Group chests should be opened with the group.

Turning over the chest in his hands he finally placed it back in to his bag. He brought up the display again just to make sure that it had been stored correctly. It had.

The commotion drew his attention before the cart even rolled to a stop. They had arrived at Redgrass and there was a veritable sea of humanity surrounding the entrance.

The rich and well off were out in force that night and had created a bit of a crowd. Jay had expected that things would be quiet at 8 – that was still considered early by the more socially minded – yet here they all were, waiting for their chance to get in line.

As Jay got out of the cart one of the doormen approached. He fought his way as politely as possible through the crowd and helped Jay down, which he did not need, but still appreciated.

“Welcome back, Sir.” said the doorman and Jay smiled in thanks. “I do believe one of your peers are already inside Sir.”

“Who now?” Jay asked a bit artlessly.

The doorman coughed, “Er, the other owners, Sir?”

Jay nodded, “Ah. Sorry. I'm afraid I'm still getting used to.. everything.” he said as he waved one hand about.

The doorman smiled. Jay came across as rather easy going which was a nice break for the doorman considering the behavior of some of the other people waiting outside for entry.

Jay was escorted back through the waiting crowd and brought inside the building where a stunningly beautiful woman waited for him. Her platinum blond hair was up and held in place with two thin jade enameled rods. She wore a cream top and a pair of black pants with boots up to her knees. Her arms were bare and her wrists covered in bracelets of various types, jade, turquoise, gold, all different from one another.

“Hello and welcome back to Redgrass! Can I help you with anything tonight?” the woman asked kindly with bright blue eyes that looked up at him.

Jay smiled widely, “Hi! I was told one of my.. peers, was here tonight?” He had to speak up a little over the booming bass line that was being pumped out by the giant room with a dance floor off to their left. The lighting was pleasant and just dim enough to help encourage social interactions without being so dark that people tripped over each other.

The woman's face bloomed in to an even wider smile. “Of course! Right this way please,” she said as she led him further in to the building.