I would like to say that the flying house was a perfection of magical engineering. That would be a lie. I stumbled against the wall as the house was rocked by a gentle breeze. Cutting corners on resources had made for an interesting ride.

Every little gust of wind caused the building to rock back and forth until the levitator plates could compensate for the motion. Martin clung to one of the doorways, eyes closed as he slowly breathed in and out.

"Can we set down yet?" Martin asked.

"Not yet, there isn't anything but swamp below us. Fiona is scouting for some high ground, large enough for us to land," I replied, wishing I had factored in this issue beforehand.

The fact was we hadn't gone all that far from Arman, ten or fifteen miles during the entire night. The winds from the west slowed our forward progress substantially, another shortfall of not enough pusher plates.

Another strong gust of wind sent the building tilting wildly. This time I was forced to brace myself in the hallway so I didn't go flying into the wall.

The problem stemmed from the fact that we had to fly above the trees. I did learn one interesting fact. Since our height above the trees was minimal the power output of the plates was significantly reduced.

Fiona took the opportunity to fly through the wall. "I found a landing spot, turn to the north, it's about two miles," she said excitedly.

"Thank god, bout time we get some good news," I exclaimed enthusiastically.

"Never thought I would miss the ground," Martin replied, "no offense, Paul, but I feel like bricks aren't meant to fly."

I chuckled, "It'll get better, just need some more funds and resources to improve the ride. We will limit our flight time to short trips until that can happen. I also think we should scout out our path ahead to find suitable landing spots."

Martin nodded, still clinging tightly to the wall.

"We're almost upon the landing spot!" Fiona yelled, "I will guide you in."

"That's what she said," I mumbled.

I heard Martin snort.

Following Fiona's instructions, I managed to set the house down on a shallow hill, devoid of trees. The house came to rest at a slight angle, sinking slightly into the soft dirt.

As soon as the house settled Martin stumbled outside. He was breathing heavily and didn't quite manage to keep his lunch down any longer.

"Ugh... I'm not getting back in there until you make it more stable," Martin said, spitting to clear his mouth.

"Yeah, sorry about that. I can probably rig something up temporarily but we're going to need material. Fiona, did you spot any buildings or houses in the area?"

"I think I saw a building north, along the river," she replied, pointing in the direction.

"Ok, we will rest for a few hours then make our way to the building to see if we can scrounge the materials necessary."

Martin nodded, wiping his mouth. "You sure it's good to leave the house unattended?"

I looked at the house and shrugged, "not much we can do about it without more materials. I can lock down the doors but that won't stop anyone who's really determined to get in."

"Then shouldn't one of us stay and watch the house?" Martin asked.

I smiled, "if you want to rest longer all you need to do is ask."

"Fine... I need rest, that flight took a lot out of me."

I nodded, "alright, but I'm charging you for any dents or dings on my baby."

"Yeah, yeah, it'll be in pristine condition when you return, heck, I'll even give it a wash for ya."

I laughed at that, patting the man on the back. "We'll be back by night."

I followed Fiona as Bella made her way through the swampy ground. This far from Arman we needed to be careful of larger predators, especially those changed by the system. Other than a few distant splashes of gators or turtles, sliding into the water, we weren't attacked.

Eventually, a tin building came into view with a dock beside it that led into the slow-flowing river. I saw an airboat tied up next to the dock. It bobbed slowly up and down with the lapping of the waves. This caused me to come to a stop.

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Something felt... off. It took me a few seconds to realize what. It was the boat. It wasn't covered in algae or grime from sitting in this wet swampy environment.

"Fiona," I whispered, "can you check the building? I'm getting a feeling this place may not be abandoned."

She nodded, going invisible. I waited with my staff in hand for Fiona to return. She returned a couple of minutes later.

"There were people inside," she said.

"Were?"

"Something got to them, it appears to be a recent attack, likely within the day."

"Shit," I hissed. This news did not make me feel better.

I rubbed Bella's feathers, "wait here and keep an eye out. Fiona, let's go."

I walked up to the building, keeping my eyes open for anything. As we got closer I noticed the building was a bait and tackle shop. The door was creaking as it shifted in the breeze.

I pushed it the rest of the way open with my staff. The inside of the building looked like a charnel house. I scanned the room before stepping inside.

Blood was splattered high on the walls. It was immediately apparent that this butchery was not done by an animal. The cuts were too clean and the splatter looked like it had come from someone swinging a blood coated weapon repeatedly up and down. I had witnessed similar effects during my time as a slave. Mostly from my own blood being splashed around.

Fiona returned while I was inspecting the room and the bodies.

"No signs of anyone or anything in the area but I did find some tracks leading into the water."

"Tracks? That isn't that surprising given the area."

"I would normally agree but these are tracks from a bipedal creature," Fiona replied.

I couldn't do anything for the dead and I didn't need to stir up trouble with another local creature. Perhaps if I had come across this scene before my enslavement I would have a differing opinion.

"Keep watch, I think this place has enough material for me to use but it's going to take some time to recover."

"Alright," Fiona answered, "just try to hurry."

I moved over to the old bait fish tanks. They were made from relatively thick stainless steel. Now I just needed to cut them up.

My staff flared with fire and earth. I touched the tip of my staff to the tank, watching it heat up as my staff slowly melted a line down the tub. This was going to take some time.

Fiona floated through the wall ten minutes later, in a hurry, "we have company."

"Shit, I'm not done yet."

"Well, we're out of time."

I swore and grabbed the two plates I had managed to cut out, storing them in my ring before rushing out the door.

Fiona pointed and I watched as three blue-skinned humanoids emerge from the water and clamber onto the dock. They were carrying crystalline halberd type weapons and pointing them in my direction.

"Whoa, easy there fellas, we were just leaving," I said, holding my arms up.

"We know well you humans. You pillage and plunder our river and kill off our young. It matters not that you are from a different world. You are all the same, and you must die."

The three rushed at me, forcing me to lower my arms and block a rapid thrust at my neck. I took a step back and used the time to cast Identify.

Jokimies | Level 19

The creature stepped back and slashed his halberd at my torso, sending a blade of water slamming into my armor's shield. I stumbled back from the blow before jabbing my staff at my attacker and casting Stunning Gust. A blob of molten rock shot out and impacted the jokemies, causing it to burble out what I assumed was a scream of pain.

It didn't seem to do as much damage as I had hoped, not sticking to the creature's wet skin.

I heard another burbling hiss of pain as Fiona attacked one while the third lunged at me, only to pull short as Bella came from around the building, nearly biting the creature's arm off.

The three creatures backed off to cover each other better, eying the three of us warily.

I could tell the one I injured was favoring his other side.

"You will pay for harming us!"

"You attacked us first."

"You may keep your lives today but forever will you fear the water, for we could be anywhere."

Before I could stop them, the three dove into the water.

"What. The. Fuck."

The fight had been as confusing as it was quick. At least now we knew who had killed the two humans.

Fiona watched for them to return while I quickly finished cutting out more plates. I cut out six more plates before deciding we had spent enough time here. There was no point pushing our luck and having them come back with reinforcements.

We made our way quickly back to the house.

Martin was still resting on the couch, a cloth over his eyes. That little flight did take a lot out of him. I decided to let him rest while I moved to the upstairs room where my worktable resided.

I spent the rest of the day carving the runes into the subpar material. The effect of the plates was maybe 20% of my custom-built ones and I doubted they would last more than a few days of use. At least with these installed the house wouldn't sway so violently.

Speaking of, I grabbed the plates, storing them into my ring before heading outside. I smelled something cooking as I headed down to the second floor. Martin was cooking up some pork sausage on the stove. I wondered about that before remembering we had multiple mana engines.

"That smells delicious, did you make enough for me?"

"Only if you managed to solve the rocking issue with the house," Martin replied.

"Working on it. It won't be completely resolved but it should be significantly reduced."

"Well, I guess that's better than nothing," he stated in resignation. "Grab a plate, I made plenty."

"Where did you even get sausages?" I asked curiously.

"Um.. you remember that farm, where we drove off those beasts?" the man replied with a mouthful.

I nodded, chewing on the delicious food.

"He made them for us. Well, Joshua, Clem, and I, as a thank you of sorts."

"Well, if I ever meet the guy I'll have to thank him."

"Amen, brother, amen."

After the meal, I got to work attaching the new plates to the house. Two for each of the long sides and one front and rear. It was a good thing the mana control lines I had run accounted for additional plates to be added. If not there would be no way to power or control them through the central control crystal.

After making sure everything was secure I headed back inside. We would fly through the night and land in the morning. I started the power-up sequence, causing the house to shake as the stilts pulled out of the dirt.

The house quickly settled a noticeable difference from before. I increased the power until we were once again flying above the treetops.

"Martin, you want to fly while I get some sleep?"

"You sure? We won't crash or anything will we?" Martin asked nervously.

"Not as long as we don't run out of power or you don't adjust the power output."

"Alright, get some sleep. I guess I can just yell if something goes wrong."

I nodded as I headed to the couch to get some much-needed rest. This way I would be close if something did go wrong. Although, I had faith in my design.