“Awesome! I just unlocked fast travel,” Deacon exclaimed upon reading the description.

“See, just like I said. No tricks. Now that ability has some side effects. Be aware that the gateway formed out of whatever place of rest you use to create it. I would avoid disturbing important locations like ceremonial sites or the location of honored burial grounds. The explanation could get complicated,” explained Samhain who reached up and replaced his hood.

“Cool, cool. Will I be able to contact you in any of these places?” Deacon asked.

“Most of the time, someone would have to completely consecrate a location to keep me from entering. I must go, my presence draws… undesirables. Find my Toll and we will speak again soon,” cautioned Samhain before floating back to the ceiling. He then dissolved through it, leaving Deacon to his thoughts.

Deacon then realized with this ability he could go back to Iron Mountain Plateau at any time. He spent time in the graveyard on the south end of town. The same with the Crystal Cascade. He fell into one of the graves just outside of Radiant’s cathedral. Now he was standing in a crypt a few hours from the Shattered Sky. In Deacon’s mind that was most of his journey in this world. Then he remembered the contract he had with Mentalba. They were supposed to be making him clothes regularly. He could pop back to the plateau and come back with a full wardrobe. No more shirtless monk in sandals. Then he could stop by the guild for some potions and check on his apprentices. Jacob’s head would spin if he just walked in like no time had passed. Deacon would absolutely do that.

Deacon didn’t break his meditation until two hours later. At this point Typhus was watching the door and Amanda was asleep. The rain was still coming down pretty hard outside. This being more of an emergency exit he doubted Grave Walker would work in here. Deacon took a peak at his soul energy bar, and he managed to regenerate back up to two hundred and forty soul energy from meditating. Hani and Tantus were messing with an item from one of Tantus’s bags. That reminded Deacon about the stuff he grabbed from downstairs. He began to wonder what was so legendary about that headband. The object in question floated out of his bag and into his hands the next second. His eyes widened once he read the slate message.

New Legendary Item- Omni Headband: This headband was constructed by Gnomish mystics in the time before the obliteration of the Gnomish homeland. It allows simultaneous activation of all titles available to the wearer. It’s main purpose was to maximize the users ability be it crafting or trade.

If Deacon remembered correctly, all the people in attendance at the ball thrown by the King were shocked by how many titles he had. Then he remembered they were appalled by the names but that was not what excited him now. All of his titles active at the same time. The dungeon based one would only work in a dungeon. Then there was Wode Guardian. It now helps him locate these prisons. Deacon idly wondered how many could actually be found on the Mortal Plane. He immediately tied the headband around his head and under his white hair. If it wasn’t for the writing along the white cloth, it might actually blend in with his dreadlocks.

“Deacon, you out of your stupor?” Hani asked.

“Yea, I’m getting up,” responded Deacon, getting to his feet.

“Come over and take a look at what Tantus put together,” called Hani bouncing on the balls of his feet.

“What are ya working on bud?” Deacon asked.

“Well you know how my ambulator can now levitate us slowly down a hole? I figured If I could connect my shield ring to the top of it , we would be able to walk out of this graveyard relatively dry. Then we could make it back to Crok’s Landing and get some real rest,” explained Tantus nodding over to where Amanda lay in a fitful sleep.

“How long’s she been like that?” Deacon asked.

“About an hour. It doesn’t look restful at all. You were meditating and we didn’t want to reach into your bag to get Alfred,” Tantus said as he returned his attention back to his device.

“I see movement. Hush,” Typhus said sharply as he continued to peer through the crack in the door.

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Everyone went silent. Deacon couldn’t fathom what anyone would be doing in a cemetery in this weather. He watched Typhus closely as he slowly slid a knife from his belt, his whip coiled at his side. Typhus slowly pulled the door open wider before disappearing from Deacon’s sight. Hani was at the door in a heartbeat, keeping it cracked and looking out into the world. There was a crack and then the sound of something heavy splashing into water. Shortly thereafter came two sharp raps upon the door to the crypt. Hani opened the door enough for the surly Deep Dweller to make his return. Typhus dragged in a Goblin scout. It’s skin was that mix of green and dark patches. This one even had pretty decent leather armor. Upon closer inspection it seemed this armor was one size too big. That lead the rest to believe it was spoils of war. Typhus dropped the body before shutting the door completely.

“I didn’t see any others but a Goblin only a few hours west of the city is bad news. All of my messages through my shadow-self have fallen on deaf ears. It’s like the authority in the city refuses to listen. I asked Sophie to get a letter to my father, but he’s been tied up with council business. Right now Sophie, Ralph, and my shadow are procuring a boat. I don’t think we can go into the city by the road. We’ll meet them on the beach south of here. Now I have a plan, but I don’t think you’re going to like it Deacon,” Typhus paused his explanation for emphasis.

“Why?” Deacon offered since no one else said anything.

“Mostly because it’s not batshit crazy like one of yours. Seriously though, you’re going to have to get caught. When they bring you to the council, I think I can get enough votes to make the trial public. In fact I’m sure of it. That tablet you found gives us leverage with the Jinkbons and Sophie managed to get the scion of house Hascavir to admit to a sham trial on Tantus’s message stone. As long as we don’t use it again, I should be able to expose her in front of the rest of the council. There’ll be some bickering but with the votes of Bloodbeard, Jinkbon, and Tuskaxe we’ll have a three fifths majority over Hascavir and Smitehammer,” Typhus explained.

“Wait, how do we know the Tuskaxes will help us?” Deacon asked, with a twisting worry in his gut.

“That’s the big gamble. I have an idea to tip the scales in our favor. This is exactly why I was happy to leave this city. I hate politics. Anyway, if you can help Borrin and Corrin, the twins, bring down a Giant that will gain their old mans favor. Third vote right there. From what I heard on the road they were due to start their trial again tomorrow morning. Weather permitting. I won’t be able to go with you. I need to do a few things in the city. I understand we also need to get Tantus to the Tower in the Jinkbons district. For that we’ll need to ride the rails up to the islands,” Typhus clarified.

“Wait, how am I supposed to help the twins without Tantus? How am I supposed to get to the twins if I can’t get in the city? How do I contact you if I succeed?” Deacon asked, confusion and stress clearly etched on his face.

“Good questions. You’ll be meeting the twins on the other side of the mountain. You can’t hide under Tantus’s robes your whole life. You’ll be fine. I’ll have an agent watching for the twins’ return. That’s how I’ll know you’ve returned. The giants range the northern side of the mountains, and these hunts don’t last longer than three days. Especially when they send out direct descendants of the Tuskaxe bloodline. We will set a rendezvous point and get you a message upon returning. Got it?” Typhus asked a frowning Deacon.

“I guess but what if I throw a monkey wrench into your plans? I just got an ability that lets me travel between graveyards and cemeteries. Would that be useful?” Deacon asked.

“What is a monkey wrench? Is this more cryptic messaging from your homeland?” Tantus asked genuinely curious.

“The only entrance into the city I think will be unguarded is the Monument to the Fallen. It’s where we laid to rest those who held the line to give the others a chance to flee to the surface during the purge. We have a fort there called Breckasdown. It is more of national memorial than a graveyard. I doubt it’ll be actively guarded. It was built before the entrance to the Deep Cavern we used to escape. Huge metal doors under the cliffs edge that hold the supports for the islands above. It’s almost perfect that you mention this convenient new ability. Your god must be working overtime,” Typhus spoke raising one eyebrow at Deacon.

New message from your patron: At least someone appreciates my work- Chimera.

Deacon dismissed the slate message of Chimera patting himself on the back. The mention of metal doors sparked a memory for him. He then thought back to the lab downstairs. Remembering the clockwork soldiers grasping at the metal doors trying to get them open.

“You said those doors lead down to the Deep Cavern, right? Do you think the doors below us do the same?” asked Deacon stroking his mostly hairless chin.

If Deacon had a camera, he would have taken a picture of Typhus’s face. Both of his eyebrows shot up and his mouth began to sputter. His beard even swayed left and right as the wheels began turning in his head.

“That makes sense. The diary left behind by the First Engineer mentioned sending his warriors down to assist the Deep Dwellers. I bet that ramp was a loading bay specifically to launch the soldiers!” exclaimed Tantus while jumping up to his feet. He was subsequently wacked with Amanda’s bedroll, now fully awake.

“Another thing about the clockwork beasties. Why only five feet tall?” Deacon asked.

“Must have been giants to the Gnomes,” replied Hani.