Tuck's first stop was the Society of Crafts and Engineering.
Today was the day for him to collect his finished Hideaway. The end result of everyone's hard work was a hexagonal tower 10 metres in diameter and 12.2 metres high. There were no windows but it was designed to be a self contained ecosystem powered by energy crystals. The tower had 4 floors with the interior of each level being 2.5 metres high. The Top floor served as the entry to the tower. On this floor was a small armoury, a workshop area and a bathroom. On the floor below that was the kitchen, pantry and dining room, Tuck intended to turn most of this floor into an excessive kitchen garden, this would be a good test of his time manipulation ability. The third floor was the main living area, Tuck had a dedicated space to work out, shelves to hold a growing library, and comfortable chairs. The final floor held the bedrooms, bathrooms and storage.
Tuck was very satisfied. He paid what was owed as well as generous tip before pulling the entire structure into his Reservoir. Wiliat and the other Craft men were impressed by Tuck’s carrying capacity and inquired if he was available to help them to move some larger equipment. Tuck wasn’t one to turn down a business opportunity so he spent half the morning acting as a ferry for the SOCE.
By mid morning Tuck still hadn’t heard from Adaline so he made his way to the Jaunty since he would be leaving today he could as well check out.
He took his time since his mind was on his new hide away rather than the route he was taking. Tuck began to etch enchantments and protections into the structure of his tower, it would be a fortress when he was done. Enchantments would allow him to enhance the mundane systems, removing the amount of service the Hideaway would need. He could also add new features as long as he knew the Enchantments for them.
Tuck bid Boreson farewell, Boreson had been at the party last night so he was expecting Tuck’s departure.
Adaline’s call came while the two men were talking and sharing a drink. The portrait on her calling card animated as she spoke through it.
"Hi Tuck! My master agreed and I am ready to go. Where should I meet you?"
Boreson looked over at the portrait and wolf whistled.
“That ones a beauty. I envy your youth.” He chuckled. Tuck ignored the old man and replied to Adaline.
“Just stay where you are, I’ll be right there.” Tuck finished his drink in one pull and slapped Boreson on the arm. “See you around, old timer.”
“Safe journeys lad.” Boreson replied as Tuck vanished from the bar.
Deciding there was no need to be subtle, Tuck appeared next to Adaline causing her to squeak in surprise.
“Don’t DO that!” She hollered while patting her chest. Tuck laughed at her antics.
"Activate your magical defences, we'll be outside in a moment." He informed her. Adaline did as she was told, she glowed a rainbow of colours in Tuck’s vision as layers of magic armoured her.
As soon as Tuck laid his hand on Adaline’s shoulder they were outside.
Adaline blinked rapidly and then her eyes began to water, The Warren wasn’t dark but artificial lighting did not compare to the midday sun on a clear day when it came to intensity.
When Adaline’s vision cleared she noticed there were a bunch of dead worms with shells on their backs surrounding them. She looked at Tuck for confirmation.
“They attacked us when we appeared. They spat some form of acid. Don’t worry, I took care of it.” He replied while continuously scanning the area.
Adaline realised she had almost died and a shiver ran down her spine.
‘Are the Wilds as bad as everyone says?’ she wondered. Pushing those negative thoughts out of her head she finally surveyed their location. Tuck and Adaline stood in a burnt out wasteland. Adaline quickly did a spell that showed her their location in relation to the Warren. After a full minute of rechecking her magic Adaline looked to Tuck in amazement. They had travelled miles in the blink of an eye.
As for Tuck, he was more astonished how this valley had changed. What was a lush paradise was now burnt to ruin.
"Take your readings, we have 8 more of these that I know about. Then we'll be travelling more conventionally looking for more." Tuck told her as he continued his watch, his Spatial Awareness was extended and looking for threats. Fortunately most of the magical beasts that frequented the valleys had fled the area since the frozen forest was looking more like spring had come.
Adaline got to work, she realised that Tuck was a lot more ‘no nonsense’ when out here compared to his usual ‘happy-go-lucky’ attitude so she adopted a similar ethos.
As Adaline cast her spells Tuck noticed she was sweating. She had come out dressed for winter, wearing a thick cloak and clothing while Tuck had dressed more lightly. He was not underestimating how bad the weather could have been nor was he relying on his own ability to withstand the cold. This time he was prepared. Tuck had experimented with the rune language until he created an environment charm. Tuck implemented the charm on a necklace he now wore, the enchantment worked as personalised temperature control, providing a thin layer of protection around his body that would keep him cool when it was hot and warm when it got cold.
Other than the environmental necklace Tuck also enchanted his belt to provide a force field so that he could survive attacks that got past his Spatial Awareness. After the incident with the elder Mages he was reminded that it was the threats you don't see coming that end you.
His other enchanted items were his boots. His time as a Ranger taught him the importance of good boots, so their enchantments were for the sole purpose of comfort and durability; every step Tuck made felt like he was stepping into a deep shag rug and once he tied the laces they adjusted to fit him snugly like a second layer of skin.
"Altair." Adaline called to him, she insisted on using his first name now she knew it.
"I've finished my scans, there's only a few metres separating this valley from a pool of magma below." Adaline informed him as she fanned herself, sweat was dripping off her and her breathing was laboured.
"I have an environmental necklace that you can wear but you will have to take off that one, wearing 2 magic items in the same place interfere with each other." Tuck said to Adaline showing her his own necklace.
"I would love that but I can't, my master made me swear not to take this off not even when I was showering." She replied glumly. They were in the first valley and she was already miserable.
"If I had a circlet or a tiara I could put the enchantment on that." Tuck mused. Adaline was again surprised.
"Altair, you are an enchanter?"
"Yes, the piece you wear is one of my works." Tuck told her, he then showed her his maker's mark of a snake eating its tail on both necklaces. Adaline was delighted, she couldn’t wait to tease her master about this.
"I can craft a circlet with an energy crystal for you to enchant but that can wait until tonight." She told him before stripping down to some shorts and a tank top. She put her clothes into her Carry-All bag and took out a towel.
"Let's head to the next one." She said with determination. Tuck was happy to see that Adaline was a trooper, he took her hand and they were at the next valley.
This valley was the same as the other. Burnt. They went on to find out the next 6 valleys in the same condition. Adaline would cast her spells while Tuck kept her safe from the repeated attacks from magical beasts. In most valleys Tuck stood behind Adaline and let her work but in a few valleys he kept his hand on her shoulder and kept moving them about the area while she did her scans. When Adaline asked why he told her they were being targeted by a Titan Beast, she finished her scans quickly so they could move on.
Finally they were in the first of the Valleys of Eden Tuck had found after leaving the cave. They were very close to the area but Tuck decided he would not head there again, out of sight was out of mind. He did not want to remind the Goddess that he existed.
Adaline once again began to cast her spells while Tuck kept playing defence. This time the magical beasts holding the area was a flock of Flutter Fires, a butterfly-like flock that burned like embers and loved the warmer environment.
Tuck was wondering how they survived the winter when the Flutter Fires attacked, their usual tactic was to swarm and ignite their enemies burning any threat to death. Tuck isolated the flock from the space around them and without a fresh supply of oxygen to keep them burning the Flutter Fires suffocated in moments. Adaline stopped to watch the fires of their life burn out, she looked sad but didn't say anything.
"You don't approve." Tuck said.
“I’m realising how dangerous the Wilds are but I also feel like we are invaders, if we stayed out of the beasts’ way there would be no conflict.” Adaline stated her view.
“It is cute that you are that naive.” Tuck said to her, making Adaline pout. “You and I are no better than these beasts, we are all part of the same ecology. The sense of superiority you are feeling is an illusion. It is only because you are travelling with me and my particular set of powers that this trip isn’t a bloody war campaign and people are dying in droves.” Tuck pointed out.
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Even as Adaline debated his words Tuck lazily waved his hand in the air and 3 MonoOwls that were dive bombing towards their heads, dropped out the air dead. Adaline’s opened like saucers.
Kill or be killed.
“When you finish taking your readings we'll rest for the night. From tomorrow we'll be travelling more conventionally." Tuck told her. Adaline took the readings while thinking over Tuck’s words.
Once Adaline was finished Tuck Wyrmed them out of the valley and into the forest. Out of the direct heat Adaline shivered in the spring like temperatures, her hot sweat turning to frost.
“Just give me a moment and we’ll be set.” Tuck told her. He found an area clear of towering trees and gestured to a spot. A massive hexagonal pit appeared in the ground, it was then filled with an equally massive stone platform. This was the top of Tuck’s Hide Away Tower.
“Come on.” Tuck took Adaline by the hand and led her to the center of the platform. It was convexed, forming a slight hill and at its apex was a circle of runes. Tuck instructed Adaline that she had to put her finger on a particular rune then, without lifting it, slide her finger to other runes in a certain order. Tuck’s lock worked like a modern smartphone unlock screen. Tuck walked Adaline through the pattern until she had it memorised and then let her input it into the platform.
The two shimmered and were transported inside.
"Welcome to my Hideaway, I’ll give you the tour. This is the Entrance Prep room” Tuck said, gesturing to the room they appeared in. It was much smaller than the outer platform but it had the same Rune structure on the floor. “If you put in the same code you used to enter you can leave.”
“Why are the walls translucent?” Adaline asked. The walls had an enchantment that made them show the same view they had seen from the platform above.
“So we can check our surroundings before we leave, there are a lot of ambush predators out there.” Tuck explained as he led her past the upstairs showers and armoury to the work area where there were maps on the walls and a library of research books.
They ventured down into the kitchen / greenhouse. Since he got his Hide Away that morning Tuck had wasted no time and had transplanted herbs, spices and his entire garden into the area and with liberal use of time manipulation the area was flourishing.
From the bright Green house they moved down to the more cozy living area before finally getting to the bedrooms and baths on the bottom floor.
"Altair, this is amazing! I'll admit, I wasn't looking forward to camping in the Wilds. Not even the Ward stones I have in my Carry-All bag could offer this type of security." Adaline marvelled. “I need a shower, then a soak in the tub.”
"Fine, take your shower but don't fall asleep, I'm preparing dinner so come back up to the kitchen when you are ready." Tuck told her before heading back up.
“Okay!” Adaline enjoyed the luxurious accommodations of the bath until her hunger forced her to seek the kitchen. Tuck had just finished a stew and he served it with fresh bread and fruit juice. Adaline was in heaven and after the meal she was ready for a nap but Tuck reminded her of the circlet they had to make.
Begrudgingly she followed him upstairs to the work area.
“Here you go.” Tuck said providing her with a bar of gold and an energy crystal. He could have pulled the gold into his Reservoir and shaped it himself but he wanted to see a Mage craft something with his own eyes.
Adaline cleared her mind and uttered the spell for levitation and heat. The gold deformed into a perfect circle with golden wings which opened up above the brow creating the perfect setting for a gem. The energy crystal floated above Adaline’s other hand as she continued to chant and bit by bit as it rotated it was chiselled into a multifaceted marble. The two pieces came together, the marble shaped energy crystal between the golden wings.
"How is that?" Adaline handed Tuck the finished work.
"Beautiful." He said. Tuck took the circlet and concentrated for a moment before handing it back to her. Adaline saw no change but noticed the little snake eating its tail below the energy crystal. He had engraved it but she didn't notice how. When it came to gold items tuck could skip the injection stage of enchanting.
Putting the circlet on her head Adaline could feel the tingle of enchantment wash over her. She was all set for tomorrow.
They retired down to the living area. Just like the walls of the entry room Tuck had enchanted the ceiling of the living area to show the sky above the Hideaway so they both settled down with a drink to enjoy the view. The night sky was filled with clouds and shifting mists of different colours, a few moons travelled on their individual paths but Tuck's strong eyes could see those moons were inhabited, most likely by powerful Sects. There were also floating landmasses that sometimes caught the light.
But there were no stars.
"It's beautiful." Adaline commented as she sat next to Tuck and made herself comfortable.
"I'm a little sad we can't see the suns." He lamented. Adaline laughed.
"There is only one sun Altair." She said. Tuck's mind stuttered, he had meant to say "stars" but in a Dyson sphere like Shaards that only faced inwards no word for "stars" existed.
Tuck opened a Wyrm hole leading outside of Shaards, he adjusted the aperture so dangerous radiation could not get in but allowed a wide range of light so she could appreciate the colours most people would never see. Adaline sat forward, her mouth hanging open. Tuck kept quiet, giving her the time she needed to soak in the splendour. It was a full 10 minutes before she spoke again.
"Altair, what am I seeing, is this the Sacred Realm?"
"Sacred Realm, is that what your people call it? To me it is the infinite void in which the world of Shaards floats.
Each prick of light you see is a sun. Some are younger but many are far older than the sun we see during the day.
The same rationale applies to their sizes, some of those lights are bigger than Shaards itself, they only look like specks because they are so ridiculously far away."
"I'm feeling very small, and truly insignificant." She said with a smirk.
"I'm sorry that was not my intention, I was just trying to share some of the wonders I've seen."
"I thank you for the intention but you may have damaged my ego. I now have a need to be the centre of the world." Adaline climbed into Tuck's lap and kissed him. "Make me the centre of your world Altair, for tonight focus on just me."
"I can do that." Tuck held Adaline close and they gently made love under the vision of stars.
***
Adaline awoke to the delicious smell of Derka tree sap, the closest thing to coffee Tuck had found on Shaards.
Still half asleep Adaline rolled out of bed bonelessly. Tuck watched as she meandered a path to him and the breakfast tray he carried. Once she reached him she took one of the cups of warm sap and drank it in one long pull.
A deep sigh preceded her truly opening her eyes. By now Tuck had put the tray onto the table so Adaline pulled him down to her height to give him a quick kiss before heading to the bathroom in a slightly straighter line.
This was Tuck's second time seeing Adaline wake up and he was now sure she wasn't a morning person.
When Adaline came out of the bathroom half an hour later she was all put together. Bouncy and alert like her usual self. Tuck had kept their breakfast in stasis and so the two ate together while planning their route. Adaline used her magic to create a holographic map showing their path thus far.
“We need to keep heading north, all the valleys along this path were super heated. But the other valleys were unaffected. Something is moving underground. With some luck we can continue backtracking it to a point it surfaced in the past. Then I would be able to find out what we are dealing with.” Adaline said.
“Ok let’s pack up and get a move on.” Tuck told Adaline, the two made their way to the top of the Hideaway. Again Tuck had Adaline enter the passcode and they were outside. The early morning air was cool and crisp, there was a light mist over the clearing. Tuck collected his Hideaway leaving a massive hole in the ground.
“Are you not going to refill that?” Adaline asked.
“No,” Tuck said. “I’m going to use the soil I collect on this trip to make my own Ecosystem in a part of my Reservoir, so that I can have my own atmosphere. My Titan beast could live in the void but as far as I know I need air, and I have no intention of testing if I can survive without it.” Tuck informed Adaline.
“Wow, are you planning on going out there?” Adaline was amazed.
“Not now but I like being prepared. Let’s focus on the present.” Tuck said, as he scanned the area. He no longer let his concentration lapse while in the wilds. Adaline picked up on Tuck’s alertness and also focused on their surroundings. Adaline pressed her back into Tuck, yesterday she got used to him standing behind her to use his teleport.
“You said we are travelling in a more traditional manner today, I have to admit I’m not the most athletic. I have a flying treasure if we need it.” Adaline admitted.
“I’ll provide transport so you don’t need to be athletic and you can save your flying treasure for another time.” Tuck said as he activated his shroud. Instead of pulling himself in as usual he pushed his shroud out into local space and spread the dimension like a platform. The Shroud swirled around their feet like a disk of nothingness. Where the 2 dimensions met the atmosphere distorted, creating a storm cloud perimeter. Tuck reigned in his building excitement when he realised he had basically recreated the ‘Flying Nimbus’ from Dragonball. Adaline sat down, using Tuck’s legs as a backrest.
“I don’t feel like I’m sitting on a substance. It’s both comfortable and weird.” Adaline was amazed. She giggled as they briskly rose into the air. This was better than her flying treasure, with Tuck’s ability she couldn’t feel the acceleration, the wind was blunted to be gentle and the air didn’t get colder, not that it would have mattered now that she wore her new circlet. Adaline took in the view for a little bit a few pieces of land floated here and there above the untamed forest below. Satisfied she finally activated her magic and searched the topography for valleys for them to investigate while they flew north at a relatively slow speed.
Tuck concentrated on flying while Adaline navigated. Thanks to her magic, they were able to find the valleys below even when the massive trees hid them from the sky. The trail became clearer but they had yet to find an area where the cause of the heat rose to the surface.
Over the next 3 days the trail got colder. The areas this creature had rested were beginning to recover. The tenaciousness of the forest was reclaiming what was burned.
Just as all hope seemed lost, the couple were amazed to find civilization or at least the remnants of one, this far out. A ruined country built around a volcano. Surrounded by thousands of massive broken Barrier-Pillars shaped like Obelisks. Although the country’s glory was in it’s past, a smaller city settlement was growing from it’s bones. Someone had cobbled 5 working Barrier-Pillars together from the fragments of the broken thousands and a wedge shaped civilization was growing, or maybe dying.
Tuck looked through the spectrum and saw the Barrier-Pillars’ magic flicked precariously. They were many times weaker than their predecessors and could fail at any moment.
“Altair that still looks days away but it seems to be in the right direction. Can we get there even if you’ve never been there before?” Adaline asked.
“Of course we can, we’re only travelling at this speed because I don’t want to miss a clue.” Tuck told her before the world swirled and they were floating above the city gate. Adaline blinked away her confusion and took in the guards and civilians looking up at them. They average around 8 feet tall with skin tones ranging between red and blue. The Niwach race.
“Oh shit Altair, we need to run.” Adaline said in a panic, she had been told stories about the Niwach race her whole life, she didn’t want to die. The guard shouted something in its guttural language.
To Adaline’s complete surprise Tuck laughed.