The Modron Mutiny

Chapter Thirteen

The Future

A brief moment of silence passed around the five.

Azra turned to Rexi and Qresh, addressing them from the throne that had reappeared in the tower’s center.

“I am sorry, but Toenails is too far gone. I cannot bring him back, even with the tower’s magic.”

Rexi nodded somberly, and Qresh patted her shoulder.

“We should thank Arza, he’s the one who got you out of that trance.” Rexi told Azra.

The name Arza was on the minds of Hein and Rexi. That was the force that was truly Jalakara’s undoing. The Holders did not respond, or react to what Rexi said.

“So, I’m guessing Arza is someone important to you two?” Rexi asked, but Qresh was the one to answer.

“He’s their boy Rexi…mhm…” Qresh said.

Azra looked shocked, but Symmette didn’t.

“Yes, our son, who I hoped and prayed that monster would never discover. Thankfully now, Jalakara will no longer be a threat to anyone.” She told Rexi.

Hein didn’t look as interested, and if anything, appeared uncomfortable at the mention of the two’s son.

“Jalakara must have taken Ailia’s form for two reasons; either he was trying to emulate the forbears of the rakshasa, who had multiple faces, or only wanted to emotionally manipulate me.” Azra said with a mechanical echo.

“It was most likely both. He seemed really upset that he had to use her form.” Hein responded.

Rexi and Qresh were still in a state of shock at what had happened. Rexi was just glad it was over, and that Qresh was now alive. She was pacing around the tortle, trying to see if he had any injuries left. Hein though, still had questions he wanted answered.

“Did Jalakara destroy your city? Is that how he was able to capture you and get all those mondrons onto his side?” Hein asked, directing his question to both Azra and Symmette.

Hein hated working in Automata, but didn’t want the place leveled. Jalakara wasn’t an ordinary rakshasa, the feat would have been difficult for him, but not outright impossible considering what he did here.

“Hein, he still needs some healing!” Rexi shouted, and broke Hein’s focus.

Hein turned to Qresh, took out his hammer, and started to patch up the tortle. The tower had healed Qresh much better than his spell would have on its own. Qresh did not have many wounds left.

As Hein did this, the two beings of law looked at each other. Ailia looked rather worried, and Azra matched her expressions. Azra gazed forward; his eyes glowed briefly. Hein saw Azra’s head twitch a few times, and then heard the machine let out a sigh of relief. Hein didn’t understand why Azra had something that simulated lungs, maybe just so he could show his emotions better.

Azra stood up from the throne with a wide, metallic smile.

“Thank Helm! Thank the lawful gods! Not only is Automata safe, but the Council of Order was worried sick about both of us!” Azra shouted.

Ailia did not look as happy, but turned to answer at Hein who had finished healing Qresh.

“When he fought Azra, he was flying. He flew away and plane shifted. I did not see where the two went…”

“To the Nine Hells,” Azra interrupted, “He tried to run the entire time, then he did a spinning maneuver near the Styx, and…well…I fell in.”

Hein fought back a chuckle. Rexi didn’t look surprised, and Qresh appeared to be confused.

“Lotsa people fall in water…ain’t no big deal…” Qresh growled.

“No good tortle, it is a very “big deal” as you worded it.” Azra responded.

Rexi was surprised he could understand Qresh now.

“It is rather embarrassing, but had I known the river would have altered my mind to that extent, I would have not gotten so close to it. You all must understand that I had to catch this fiend. It knew where my family resided, and I could not allow that. The fear clouded my judgement, a mistake I will not allow to happen again.” Azra explained with a tone of resolve.

Symmette finished her answer to Hein, “Instead of seeing Azra return, I only saw the Rakshasa. It just…appeared…inside my residence. I hardly had time to send a warning to Black Scarf…wait…Black Scarf! He is still down there! We must go save him!” Ailia screamed.

The small woman leapt up, and was easily caught by Azra, who blasted into the sky. Hein had no time to protest.

“…well, that was enlightening.” Hein muttered, and sounded annoyed.

“I hope they rescue fish boy…don’t want ‘em to get hurt down there…” Qresh growled, with a slight side-eye at Hein.

“He was fine!” Hein sputtered defensively.

“Besides, had I not done that, Jalakara would have killed him, he tried several times while Black Scarf was collapsed on the ground!” Hein shouted, though his tone was more defensive than angry.

“Qresh, I’m sure he is safe. I hope he doesn’t get too shocked when he sees a giant machine man and Symmette looming over him.” Rexi said, fighting back a laugh.

Hein looked down at the two scorch marks, all that remained of Jalakara. Hein knelt down, and touched the burned area with his good hand. He was dead, Jalakara had to be dead. Hein had left too much up to chance when he had tried to kill the fiend before. Now though, Jalakara perished…truly perished…in the Hells…fiends did not come back from that kind of death.

“By the way Hein…I think you may want to consider something…” Rexi said nervously as she crept closer to Hein. Hein rose off the ground, and met the gnome’s gaze.

“We’re getting Toenails’ remains. I don’t care how upset it may make Symmette and Holder…” Hein growled.

“Oh, no it isn’t that. I’m sure they won’t care…” Rexi trailed off.

“I’m not sure, but we will give him a proper burial.” Hein answered.

“Hein, we aren’t the Fighting Five anymore. We lost Toenails, our healer, and Theril, who really shouldn’t have been a part of us to start. It’s just me and Qresh now, but it doesn’t have to be.” Rexi said, as if she were trying to force something out.

Hein, though he was clearly still listening to her, turned to the remnants of his mechanical claw. He started to retrieve pieces he could repair.

“I know you still have a lot of work to do, and you’re really wealthy and have…” Rexi started, but she was cut off by Hein.

“No, I don’t. I blew all my money on that army which was destroyed. This pillar will likely be teleported back to wherever it came from, and I’m sure I’ll have to wait before I can get all my things back. Theril burned thousands of gold worth of scrolls, and I’m sure the modrons destroyed the rest of my stuff before they all stopped working. I’ll have to take inventory once this is all over.”

Hein turned away from the scrap pile, and looked at Rexi.

“You want me to join you. I can heal, but not like a druid, and I’m sure you both know I can’t replace Toenails.”

Rexi and Qresh didn’t answer, but both were staring at Hein expectantly.

“You both seem to forget that I nearly fell right into Jalakara’s trap.” Hein told them.

“He damn near tricked everybody.” Qresh growled.

“He didn’t trick you though, did he?” Hein asked with a smirk, already knowing the answer.

Qresh didn’t respond. The tortle had defended Symmette’s innocence the moment this all started. He ended up being right about everything.

“Why haven’t you asked Black Scarf?” Hein asked.

“He’s near-dead.” Qresh responded dryly.

Hein’s brow furrowed, “He is not “near dead” he’s just unconscious…”

“You don’t really know that though, do ya?” Qresh asked Hein.

“I think…I think we’re getting side-tracked.” Rexi said, interrupting the two.

“Hein, any one of us, except Qresh but he’s different, would have fallen into that trap.” Rexi said, her head darting back from Hein to Qresh.

“No. You wouldn’t have killed her. Qresh wouldn’t, Toenails wouldn’t if he was alive, and Black Scarf wouldn’t either. I nearly did.” Hein answered.

“But you didn’t kill her! She’s still alive because you did the right thing!” Rexi happily shouted.

“…the right thing…” Hein trailed off, thinking on those words.

Hein had been changed by the people he had met. Despite this, Hein wondered if there would be a time Rexi would need to kill and wouldn’t take the opportunity. Hein knew that the odds were low, and with Qresh’s insight, hopefully wouldn’t happen. She certainly didn’t have trouble trying to kill Theril…

Hein cleared his throat before responding.

“Rexi, you don’t have to ask. You people have made me better. If it wasn’t for you all, Symmette would be dead, and I would likely be either a pawn of Jalakara, or captured by him, and I don’t know which is worse. You both were able to not only tolerate an Automatan citizen like Holder, but actively protect him. That is a feat in itself. Besides, it isn’t like I have anything else to do since they’re dragging my workshop and tools to crazy town…”

Rexi squealed, then ran to Hein to tackle him in a hug. The wind was knocked out of Hein, as he grunted with a wheeze.

“How was a gnome this strong?” Hein thought.

Hein felt his chest compress, and started to choke.

Qresh stood by, waiting a few seconds before saying something.

“Alright Rexi don’t kill him. We don’t need no more people to half-die today…” Qresh growled with a light tone.

He clearly found the situation amusing.

Ailia and Holder arrived to the lower section of the tower. Azra could see Black Scarf in his mind when he was on the throne. He saw everything, the bodies, the damage that had occurred, and the dead. Dolidra…Toenails. Azra would have to return the dwarf to his party before the tower could go back to where it belonged.

Azra shook away the sorrow as he neared the fallen shifter. The two landed, and ran up to Black Scarf.

“My, my, he looks rather bad, does he not? Symmette said, sounding concerned.

Azra turned to her, one metallic eyebrow cocked, and seemed confused.

“You know this is him…right?” Azra asked. “I hope your sense of smell has not been damaged. I do not even need to smell, but can still tell…” Azra tried to explain.

“Of course I can tell. He is grey-skinned with teeth-scales covering his body. My senses could not be that dulled, unless it was through some kind of magic or blindness…” Symmette told him.

“Yes, that is indeed him, the man who smells of urine!” Holder said with confidence, clearly not realizing how bad this description was.

Black scarf woke up, the noise interrupting his dreamless sleep. As he jolted from the floor, he saw Ailia Symmette smiling at him. Black Scarf grunted, but found himself too weak to get off the ground entirely.

“…urine…h-Holder? Is that you?” He asked.

The large mechanical man smiled, then knelt down.

“Yes, it is I, Azra Holder! The rakshasa is dead, and all is well now. Ailia is also not going to hurt you, but I imagine you know that now.” Azra answered.

“You’re…an inevitable?” Black Scarf mumbled, trying to wrestle his mind back to the waking world.

Symmette had moved without Black Scarf seeing her. She now was just a few inches away from his face. Black Scarf’s body went into action before he could think about his situation. Black Scarf rolled over, then managed to stand on his feet. His strength was gone, and he felt his knees grow weak immediately upon standing.

Black Scarf started to wobble. His eyes looked as if they couldn’t stay open. Azra strode up, holding out his lower set of arms.

“Please do not fall I do not want to touch you.” Azra told Black Scarf in a pleading tone.

Black Scarf’s body slowly started to fall backwards. Azra leaned in to catch him, but hesitated. The smell…that awful smell so many sharks had. It did smell similar to ammonia…

Black Scarf hit the ground with a loud, echoing thud. When his body landed, his leg spasmed. Black Scarf was out cold again.

“Why did you not grab him? He hit the ground very hard…” Ailia said as she knelt down to examine the man.

“I-I am sorry…but he smells so foul…I could not bear to….” Azra started

As Ailia knelt, she got a whiff of the odor, real or imaginary, and reeled back in disgust.

“Oh no, you are right love. I cannot tolerate it either.” She answered.

The two stood in silence for a few seconds, before Azra broke the quiet.

“Someone will have to carry him back…” Azra said.

“Yes, I do think we need to get him some medical treatment. His head hit the floor very hard.” Ailia responded.

“Wait…I know the proper thing to do…” Azra started.

Ailia looked at him expectantly.

“We can leave him here, then once the tower is in the Outlands, have him taken care of in Automata! The modrons can carry him out!” Azra said triumphantly.

“Ah yes, brilliant idea as always! Now neither of us has to actually touch him! For a moment, I was afraid you were going to carry both him and me!” Ailia said happily.

Her and Azra flew to the top of the tower, leaving Black Scarf unconscious, but visibly still alive, on the floor. This time he would dream.

Rexi, Qresh, and Hein saw Azra fly back up to the top of the tower, then sit back down on the throne. Before anyone could ask what he was doing, or where Black Scarf was, they were all teleported to their ship. The mast was still cracked, but thankfully the ship hadn’t been bothered by the modrons.

The top of the tower was glowing. Hein noticed that the ship now had a similar glow as well. The three watched in amazement as the mast lifted itself up, and reattached at the base. The wood was repairing itself, and in less than a minute, the ship had been fully repaired.

Hein was caught up in the amazement too much to realize that the tower was likely going to be sent back to where it came from. He still had a lot of equipment, assuming the modrons didn’t destroy all of it. Not only that, but where was Black Scarf? Had they just grabbed him and…

Hein realized that there was a very high chance Symmette and Holder had left him down there.

Hein yelled as loud as he could, hoping that one of the beings could hear him.

“Don’t leave! We need Black Scarf, and Toenails, and I still need to get some equip…” Hein started to shout, but Rexi cut him off.

“Yes! We need Toenails’ remains!” She shouted.

Rexi and Qresh saw Toenails’ body appear on the deck, then saw the tower blink out of sight. The ocean was still, and the tower’s disappearance didn’t even disturb the waves.

Rexi and Qresh walked over to Toenail’s body. Despite its ruined state, being only part of a torso and a head, it had no odor. Hein didn’t seem to notice, and was looking at where the tower was.

“The water didn’t move…that explains why we weren’t fighting in a cascade the whole time! I figured as much, the air and water stayed the same inside during the flip, but I didn’t think the area surrounding it would stay so still. Hein said, mostly to himself.

“I’ll put him in somethin’, we got some boxes below deck.” Qresh growled.

Hein spun around and saw Qresh lumber off with the corpse.

“…oh.” Hein mumbled.

“It’s okay now, we made it right. Toenails didn’t die for nothing. I’m sure he’s proud of what we managed to do here.” Rexi told Hein, sounding less sad than Hein expected.

“Yes, I think his ancestors are pretty proud right now, considering what was at stake…wait…hang on…” Hein trailed off.

“What? What’s wrong?” Rexi asked.

“Wait, wait a minute. If Toenails is here…then…” Hein started as he ran after Qresh.

Once Hein caught up to the tortle, Toenails’ remains were inside a rather small wooden crate. Qresh had his head bowed reverently, when he heard Hein shout.

“Qresh, did they also send Black Scarf? Hein screamed, though sounding more in a hurry than afraid.

“I ain’t seen em…lemme look…” Qresh growled, and started to look around the cargo hold of the ship.

Hein darted away, running everywhere they would leave someone passed out.

“Shit, shit, shit…they didn’t…” Hein muttered to himself.

By the time Hein ran back on the top deck, Rexi was looking at him with a confused expression.

“I can’t find Black Scarf!” Hein shouted.

Rexi looked panicked for a brief moment, but the fear quickly left her face.

“Oh…oh they probably took him with them back to Automata. I’m sure he’ll be fine. They likely have some of the best medical care in all of the planes.” Rexi said.

Hein tried not to looked panic, but nodded in agreement with a forced smile.

“Yeah, I’m sure they’ll take good care of him…” Hein said with a slight tremble to his voice, as if he was trying to comfort himself.

“I think we need to get back to civilization if we want to find out more about Black Scarf…not that you two should be worried or anything…” Hein said to Rexi.

Before Rexi could answer, there was a loud splash from the starboard side of the ship. Rexi and Hein turned to look, and Qresh lumbered out from below deck. Only Hein recognized the alien boat without a sail. The ship decorated with strange lights in jars.

Hein let out a sigh of relief as he saw Saltrock scramble up to the edge of his boat.

“Thank the gods, I was worried they took him.” Hein told the dwarf, who got his ship as close as he could.

“Took him? I thought ye might have ‘em?” Saltrock responded with a look of worry.

“I think Azra Holder and Ailia Symmette took him back to Automata.” Rexi said with a smile.

The dwarf looked panicked upon hearing that, but both Rexi and Qresh threw up their hands as if to calm him down.

“No, it isn’t what you think, she didn’t do anything, it’s hard to explain but both Holder and…” Rexi tried to calm the dwarf, before Qresh interrupted.

“Ettin Girl and her man took ‘em back to whatever screwball town they live. Them there crazy people’ll patch ‘em up good…mhmm…” Qresh growled happily.

Captain Saltrock tried to stroke his beard, but the dirt and salt-crystals kept his hand from really moving through anything.

“We’d be wise to go an’ look fer ‘em. If ye let me take yer boat, I’ll use the Silent Sea an’ send us close, near where ye folks might have better luck.” The dwarf said.

Rexi and Qresh looked at each other, and Hein rubbed his forehead.

“I’m sorry to say this, but I highly doubt that we can get him out of Automata. If we’re near somewhere more civilized, like far away from Chult, we will have better chances of finding more information. Rexi, where are you and Qresh based out of?” Hein asked.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“Elturel. Well…we aren’t based anywhere, but we’ve done a lot of work in that city since…well what happened with Avernus…” Rexi answered, trailing off at the thought of the tragedy.

“Get in yer cabin lassy. Turtle, ye hold Slatecutter an’ wait with the gnome. It’ll be gettin’ rough an’ spooky on deck…” The dwarf growled.

Hein looked offended, but Rexi and Qresh darted for the ship’s cabin. Hein leaned in, almost over the edge of the ship with his good hand on his hip. He seemed irritated at the dwarf.

“I’ve been in the Silent Sea before. I know what it’s like. You won’t be able to so easily…”

Before Hein could finish, he noticed that both Black Scarf’s ship, and the Five’s ship was inside the strange ocean. The whites of the dwarf’s eyes started to glow, and he collapsed on the deck of his ship. Hein felt nervous, then nausea creep up his gullet.

The stars and twin moons vanished in a blur. Hein felt the deck of the ship turn to rubber, and collapsed like the dwarf. His arms and legs went numb, his fingers wouldn’t move. He screamed, only his voice was muffled by sounds that didn’t make sense. Sounds that should have been seen or felt instead of heard.

With a sudden lurch, the sky was normal. Hein felt the ship shake as if coming to anchor, and could now feel his extremities again. Before Hein could stand, he borderline vomited on reflex. Hein caught himself just before Rexi and Qresh emerged.

“Oh wow! I hardly felt the ship move! I can’t believe it was that easy.” Rexi screamed with excitement.

“Devil boy’s layin’ on the floor.” Qresh noted.

Rexi ran to help Hein up, who’s inky skin somehow had gotten paler.

“Th-thanks. Outside it wasn’t as…brief…” Hein chocked out, before running to the ship’s edge to empty his stomach.

Hein looked back to where the dwarf was lying, but he wasn’t there. He then saw Saltrock walking out from his ship’s cabin with a strange jar…more like a glass canister. The squid-like thing inside looked like it had been cooked, or electrocuted. He plopped the strange creature into the ocean, which let out an odd chemical smell. The dwarf turned to look at Rexi with a smile.

“Boss only gots two o’these left. Me an’ him better be getting’ more when he gets back…assumin’ we can find ‘em. Travellin’ like that ain’t so easy on our end…” The dwarf told her.

******************************************************************************

The mist. This sleep was not so dreamless. Black Scarf wanted to assure Rexi, Qresh, and Hein that he was perfectly safe. He wished he could wake up on his ship, and relay the message to captain Saltrock. With Jalakara’s death, the dwarf was bound to know that he was safe now. Black Scarf didn’t know that fully, but knew that it was safe to assume.

Black Scarf remembered them, the Holders, looming over him before he hit the ground. He would undoubtably be in Automata upon awakening. It was not a comforting feeling.

It must have been true. Jalakara was actually slain. Black Scarf hoped with everything he had that Azra and Ailia properly dispatched the fiend, and made sure it was truly dead. Azra couldn’t lie, so Black Scarf only had to ask. Azra was smart enough to know how to kill a fiend…at least Black Scarf hoped.

Black Scarf remembered clearly becoming weak, then vanishing from the tower once he hit the floor. He woke up right after surrounded in mist. Black Scarf didn’t know why, or how, but the mist somehow had a malice to it. This was what worried him about Jalakara, what made him doubt.

Black Scarf was a very lucid dreamer. Upon discovering this art, he had managed to never have nightmares, and this was one thing that helped him find the Silent Sea. This mist, whatever it was, seemed to have too much power over him. Black Scarf fell back into a usual dream state, one where the dreamer was along for the ride, and had little control.

He was flying through the mist, and nothing definite could be made out. Black Scarf saw fleeting images, a leafless forest with hunched figures running inside it, an imposing castle, and oddly enough, a crystal ball. Black Scarf could smell cooking, hear music, and saw his reflection in the sphere. His vison focused up to an old human woman, smiling at him with what he couldn’t tell was joy or malevolence.

Black Scarf saw the moon again, and felt the dream ending. The moon…it was her…it had to be her. The Moonmaiden was making the mist leave his mind. Black Scarf felt himself coming back to the waking world. It was not immediate, as if the god’s power couldn’t remove it immediately. This worried Black Scarf. It was like the mind equivalent to a bad aftertaste. Black Scarf somehow knew that he would see the mist again, but it would not be today. Though Black Scarf felt relief that he had help from higher planes, the shock of waking still frightened him.

Black Scarf awoke in a sweat, almost shouting. His body was shaking, a feeling he had almost forgotten about. The rush of a nightmare had become something alien to him. Black Scarf also noticed that, despite being in a cold sweat, his sheets were dry. Black Scarf rolled around, and found that the sweat was immediately cleaned off of him. The bed he was sitting in was not firm, but not soft. It was very rectangular, had very drab but overly clean linens, and the bed was in a square bronze room.

Black Scarf only thought one thing.

“…Automata…”

Black Scarf quickly swung the sheets off, then stood up. Though he was weak, he had enough strength to stand without much trouble. His stomach still hurt terribly. The floor was not cold, or warm, and there were no scents in the room. No good or bad smells. In fact, there was no odor at all, something Black Scarf found unsettling with his heightened senses.

Black Scarf looked down at his body, and he had apparently been dressed in red and grey robe-like clothes. Feeling a little violated, Black Scarf checked his teeth. His tongue glided across them all, even the ones in the back curling to replace the front teeth. Thankfully they hadn’t taken his teeth, something Black Scarf feared they would do due to his teeth not being symmetrical.

Black Scarf noticed his naked neck, and his eyes darted around the room to find his scarf. It didn’t take long, and the scarf was hanging on a rack near the door. Black Scarf let out a sigh of relief, and noticed the identical hanging rack on the other side of the door.

Black Scarf sat back down on the bed, then watched the lone door in the room open. A one-eyed modron strode in, holding a sealed letter, gave it to him, and grated something in its strange language. When it saw that Black Scarf couldn’t understand it, the thing spoke in Common.

“Mister Moors…I am to tell you that…” The construct chimed.

“Don’t call me that,” Black Scarf interrupted.

The modron stood silently for a few seconds.

“…I am to tell you that, a rock gnome female known as Rexinaleadal has inquired about your safety. She, along with her two companions, have been informed that you are not only safe, but will be returned to your boat in due time.”

After giving its message, the modron began to walk away.

“Wait!” Black Scarf shouted.

The modron turned back around, and stared at him stupidly.

“I need you to tell the captain of my ship, Saltrock, that I am alive and well.”

The modron stood silent.

“You will tell him, machine!” Black Scarf growled.

“…as you wish.” The modron chimed.

“You will tell him as soon as possible!” Black Scarf specified.

“I will relay the message immediately.” The Modron answered, then turned to leave.

Black Scarf broke the seal, and couldn’t help but smile.

The letter was from Rexi. It was wordy, rambling about how they were sorry he got spirited away to Automata, how they couldn’t wait to see him, and gave detailed instructions on how to get to a bar in Elturel.

Black Scarf chuckled at the mention of potatoes being sold there, and folded the letter back closed. He then climbed out of the bed, walked up to the door, and much to his surprise, saw two modron guards outside.

“When will I be allowed to leave? Or do I need to fill out a mountain of forms before that happens?” He asked both guards, who didn’t turn from their posts.

Both modrons answered, “You will be escorted out of the city once the magistrate accesses your health.”

“Alright, when will that be?” Black Scarf asked impatiently.

“It cannot be now, as the celebrations are taking place.” They both answered.

“Celebrations? Did you say that correctly? Here?” Black Scarf stammered.

“The Magistrate of Mortals and her husband, Lord Azra Holder, have returned. It was recently discovered in a very old edict that, if anyone of major importance is to be lost, then either found or…” The machine started to explain.

Black Scarf held out his hand, signaling the modron to stop. I did, and quickly left the room.

“A party…impossible. There has to be a mistake…surely?” Black Scarf asked himself aloud.

As if answering his question, Black Scarf heard music. The walls had a soft vibration, and he did hear faint music, but it was certainly not ordinary music. It was mechanical, having a strange sound, but a pleasant beat. Black Scarf sat back onto his bed, and listened.

******************************************************************************

“What! I would rather kill you, then kill myself instead of do…that!” Ailia screamed.

“Exactly, and I would welcome it! That is what I told him, but he was rather angry. I do not think he really understood.” Azra responded.

“Well of course he was angry, he had lost a friend. More importantly, you know the people of the Prime do not have a sense of decency. They do awful things like that all the time.” Ailia said.

Azra did not answer immediately. In fact, he felt a little guilty. Both him and his wife had been…briefed…by Primus, the leader of the modrons. Briefed…that was the only word Azra could describe it as.

Once the tower was back in the right plane, Azra and Symmette were requested to have an audience with Primus. Neither of the two got to say anything. Primus flatly told them that they were both lawbreakers…sinners even.

Azra Holder and Ailia Symmette had conceived their son without the proper paperwork…and lost control of themselves. Not only this, but they actively kept this activity up, and never once tried to address the problem. This was all by design.

Primus had been the one to make them lawful. He had shaped their minds since before they were born. He needed something to make Automata better, but not better enough to get resorbed into Mechanus. The system Automata formerly had was too flawed, too much disorder, and Primus wanted the city perfect to a razor’s edge. That edge though, needed a hair of a defect…enough to stop the city from falling in.

Them. They were exactly as Primus had hoped…possibly the most lawful disorder Primus could ever create. A woman who would willfully become an abomination to champion symmetry, breaking the natural order, but making herself something so much more. A woman who fully rooted out anarchy, and made Automata more perfect…but not too perfect.

Due to Primus’ first project before Ailia, Azra Holder, that level of perfection was achieved. A man who was so lawful that it resembled madness, but who wasn’t lawful enough to resist the designs Primus had made for him. Primus would never, ever, have to worry about Automata rejoining Mechanus as long as they were in the city.

But they couldn’t stay in the city, not if The Child was to come to be. The most lawful mortal in creation…created from disorder…the thought nearly made Primus sick…but it was necessary. His genesis though, it was difficult. The second calamity almost took the world of Exandria, but his champion, and other champions of the gods, stopped it. Azra became more, the type of more Ailia warped herself into, and Primus had his near perfection, as near perfection as he could get. All without Automata slipping into Mechanus.

This was the best of it all. Neither of the two would ever have to live in Mechanus. Primus would likely never have to see or speak with them again. Primus made it abundantly clear to the two that they were near-perfect by design. They were possibly the most lawful mortals in creation…but their disorder was enough to his liking.

Naturally, Azra and Ailia didn’t know how to take this. They were silent much of the way back, up until Azra realized something. He didn’t have to worry anymore. Though he had already married the woman, Azra didn’t have to worry about another incident like what started their relationship. If they both wanted to do something a little unorthodox…it was designed that way. In their slight imperfection…they were going by design…they were being more lawful…

“Dear, after that scathing remark from Primus, I do not feel like insulting the primes. In fact, I worry that this may be too much…” Azra half-whispered to Symmette, who oddly smiled.

“Azra, we have everything put in order. Do not worry that we had to reschedule some other events…this is a special occasion. Besides, you know that this is Primus’ will…and that old edict they found…” Ailia answered him with a tone of mischief in her voices.

Azra gasped with his hands held close to his mouth.

“You did not!” He whispered.

Ailia just smiled. She put both hands up to his, and brought them back down to his waist.

“We have our orders, Azra. This city belongs in the Outlands. Like it or not, this amount of…disorder…”

Ailia nearly choked on the words. The muscles tensing in both of her esophagi could clearly be seen.

“…is true order. Besides, when was the last time we had a nice evening together?” Ailia asked.

“Slatecutter’s desk.” Azra flatly said.

They stared at one another for about a second, before the two laughed in tandem. It felt like the first genuine laugh since Jalakara died.

The room was dark, and only sparsely illuminated. As they walked into the center, Ailia glanced at the Council of Order, and couldn’t help but noticed Pelnis the Clockmaker’s missing seat.

“May the gods grant easy rest to Dolidra…and peace to Pelnis…”, Ailia quietly thought to herself.

The pang of sadness hit Ailia hard, but she had to try an enjoy this night. They likely would not be able to do this for a long, long, time. There had been far too much sadness; the memories of the cell were still vivid in her mind.

Thankfully, Ailia knew of one way to combat the sorrow. Something she had done in secret for so many years, and something she was about to do now to both of her hearts content.

Dance.

Azra and Ailia arrived in the center of a large, circular room. A modron ran up, and gave her a small object with a handle. Ailia held it in between both heads, and started to speak. The object amplified her voices.

“Good evening to all ladies and gentlemen here tonight. I am proud to present to you, the first celebration that Automata has had in a very, very long time. I encourage all of you to dance along with the music…”

As Ailia trailed off, a score of modrons started to play instruments. They were abnormally shaped, and once played, let out a strange, mechanical chime. It was pleasant, but unlike any instruments on the Prime.

Ailia continued, “Let us celebrate the return of this city’s protector, Azra Holder!”

Everyone clapped, but Azra looked confused.

“Shall we do it now?” Azra asked with uncertainty.

“I do not think they know how to dance love. Do you?” Ailia asked, speaking with both voices amplified.

Azra shook his head in confusion. Ailia smiled.

“Let us show them then!” She shouted, then threw down the device.

Almost as if it were watching her every move, a modron ran up, and caught the machine before it hit the floor.

Ailia offered her hand to Azra, only one hand, and he took it. Despite the strangeness of it all, Azra happily started the dance. The gathered crowed did not dance, but only watched the show. As the two swung and spun, doing maneuvers that no Automatan had ever seen before, the crowed was mesmerized.

The crowd looked to be enjoying themselves. They all tapped their left foot, at the same time. It gave the beat of a metronome as Azra and Ailia twirled in intricate patterns. Azra could easily throw and catch her, only adding to the show. Symmette’s strange biology also allowed her to perform dance steps normal humanoids could not.

During the celebration, the Council of Order started to warm up to Ailia’s request. Maybe, under the right circumstances, modrons dancing may not be so ridiculous after all.

******************************************************************************

“Oh dear, did you see that filthy man at the entrance! The gall of a so called “fine establishment” to allow such rabble to reside in eyeshot.” The well-dressed man with a monocle told his equally well-dressed wife.

“Well, you understand how badly these lower folk handle such matters. If we were back in Cormyr, such a thing would never happen.” The woman told her husband.

Both started to laugh as they made their way down the stone streets. The laughter subsided once they passed a darker portion of the road. The couple both heard a strange noise, almost like a stone grinding, thought the street looked empty. The man looked over to three large crates stacked in the entrance of an ally.

“I do say deary, why would someone store crates near an ally way? That is just asking for riff-raff to loot what is inside of them. Quite a poor idea, isn’t it?” He asked his wife.

“Maybe someone put them there to ambush people walking home…like us! We need to leave before they try and accost us!” His wife stammered.

“Poppycock!” Grunted the man. “They wouldn’t dare!”

As the man turned around, he heard a loud thud. What had fallen near his feet were the decayed remains of a head and torso. The couple did not have time to tell that it was the remains of a dwarf, because they ran as fast as they could away from the scene.

Qresh lumbered out from behind the crates, letting out a low, guttural laugh. Rexi followed, though she certainly didn’t look amused. As the two people ran screaming, Rexi tried to call out to them.

“I’m really sorry! This was his last will and testament!” She apologetically shouted at them, though it was clear the two horrified people were not listening.

Qresh stopped giggling.

“Rexi ain’t it jus’ a little funny? Did ya hear em’ squeal?” He asked.

Rexi turned to look up at Qresh, “We’re supposed to be heroes, not scare people with corpses!” Rexi said in a chastising tone, as she lightly slapped the tortle’s side.

Qresh hung his head a little after that.

“He wanted it like that…” Qresh whined, before sighing and turning around to get what was left of Toenails. “But I get ya…” Qresh muttered.

“Well, I thought it was hilarious.” A voice greeted them from the shadows.

Rexi and Qresh spun around at the same time, and looked down the alley they had come from. They saw a thin figure walking down the wall. The man was filthy, and was so covered in rags and a greyish substance that it was hard to see the leather armor he wore. As the man got closer, both Rexi and Qresh could see that the grey material was cobwebs.

The webs were strown all over the man’s body, even a little on his face. The man had dirty hair that stuck out at random angles, but more so at the top of his head. He looked young, and human, though when he smiled, Rexi couldn’t help but notice his pointed canine teeth.

“Rexi he’s covered in bugs!” Qresh gasped.

The stranger did indeed have spiders of every imaginable type crawling on him. Though they weren’t swarming him, there was always at least four to five spiders in view on his body.

The man took a step back in shock, and looked borderline offended.

“What? Bugs?” He looked over himself, then back at Qresh disapprovingly.

“Don’t call the ladies bugs, please, that’s just rude.” The man responded, sounding a little hurt.

“Mhm…well why’d you hide then walk down the wall like that? Ain’t usual for people to walk on walls…” Qresh asked cautiously.

“Oh, I’m not a vampire if that’s what you’re afraid of. See, my father really liked spiders…” He started to explain, but the looks on Rexi and Qresh’s faces told him he shouldn’t.

The man continued, “It’s this really lovely spider cloak I have…” The man trailed off, then turned to show the two a tiny remnant of a cloak, more like a scarf, that was wrapped in between the man’s dirty clothing.

“I tuck it in so it won’t get caught on anything…and the ladies like the material.” He finished as he eyed Qresh and Rexi.

The spiders crawling on him all started to swarm onto the cloak, then back into several small pouches on his person. The man then smiled widely, and bowed a little.

“They call me Rel, Rel the Recluse, at your service! I can’t believe how easy it was to find two of the Fighting Five, just wandering the streets! It is my lucky day!” Rel shouted, rather happy with himself.

Rexi had not said anything the whole time. She was confused how this man didn’t even acknowledge that Qresh was holding half a corpse.

“We gotta go bury this body right. He wanted to scare some rich people b’fore he passed, an’ now he’s goin’ in the ground.” Qresh told Rel, possibly wondering why the man didn’t ask what they were doing.

“Oh, I figured as much. That dwarf must have been a likable guy. That’s one of the many ways I’d love for my body to be used once I’m gone…assuming I don’t go back to the Feywild…” Rel said.

“So, mister Rel was it? How would you like a job?” Rexi asked.

Qresh turned to look at Rexi, a little confused. Rexi looked back to Qresh with a big grin.

“What? He’s perfect! Toenails would be proud.” She explained.

Rexi turned back to Rel, “We had this druid who worked for us named Toenails because…well…”

Rexi glanced around, and could have sworn that she heard someone blow an alarm horn.

“We should probably leave before the guards show up.” Rexi said before turning back to Rel. “But we can talk about this on the way!”

“Mhm…that’d be best.” Qresh growled as he dug a sack from behind one crate.

Qresh stuffed Toenail’s body back inside the sack. He nodded at Rexi, then the three started to quickly walk away from the alley.

“If that there hobo is comin’ with us, we better let Hein know we picked up ‘nother crazy man. He didn’t like Azra too much…” Qresh told Rexi.

“Oh, I’m not homeless anymore. I have a house but it isn’t on land that was given to me, I just built it in a spot nobody would notice.” Rel answered.

“Well, make sure you get a good housekeeper, because we don’t get to stay home too often, that is if you’d like to adventure with us.” Rexi told him.

“You want me in your party? Not just to get the spiders out of a crypt, or to bite someone?” Rel asked in shock.

Qresh’s brow furrowed with worry at that, but Rexi didn’t seem to mind.

“Yes, we do!” She said with a laugh.

“With a trial period!” Qresh interjected.

Rel started laughing, and all of his “ladies” swarmed over his body, as if they were sharing the joy.

“No leftovers tonight! We eat meat pies!” Rel shouted.

Rexi liked this man, but she would absolutely not eat any meat pies he made for her.

******************************************************************************

Hein looked at the city lights from the boat. Elturel was a nice city. If Hein was lucky, there may even be a tinker’s guild. Of all the things that was stocked on the boat, Hein never would have expected Rexi to have a quill and ink. Hein had finished his letter, and intended to give it to a courier as soon as one was available.

Once the boat got back, Hein had spent almost all of his time writing the letter. He had to let his old clan know that he still cared for him. Hein hadn’t meant to abandon them, and just assumed they wouldn’t want him back.

Rexi had come to him shortly before dark, excited out of her mind, to tell them that Black Scarf was indeed safe. Hein didn’t know how she got the message, but by whatever arcane methods Automata had, Rexi was able to pass a letter to someone.

Hein was glad to hear it, and even more thankful that the letter didn’t beg for help.

The anxiety was too strong now. Hein sighed, then left the ship. I was late, and he knew that no courier office would be open at this hour. Hein was simply hopeful; obviously no one would be able to send the letter now…but he wanted to know for sure.

As Hein left the dock, he found a guard near the road. The guard nodded at Hein, and actually signaled him to come closer.

“Evening sir. I hate to tell a new visitor this, but things for Tieflings in this city have not been great…after the incident that is.” The guard said, a tone of sorrow in his voice.

“I appreciate the warning, but I’m not worried about that. Thank you for your concern though. I only wanted to find a courier service to give this to clan Slatecutter…they’re a dwarven clan that…” Hein started, before being interrupted by the guard.

“Clan Slatecutter! By the gods, of course I know them! One of the dwarves who saved this city was a Slatecutter! You shouldn’t have too much trouble sir. Once the sun rises, talk to Darrik the locksmith. He’ll get your message to whoever you need to speak to in his clan.” The guard shouted excitedly.

“Darrik lives here now?” Hein said rather shocked.

“Aye…you know him! Makes locks I’ve never seen before. Go talk to him in the morning, he won’t turn you away. A divine champion came from his clan after all, those dwarves have more sense than a lot of people in this city.” The guard said with a smile.

Darrik was Hein’s cousin.

Before Hein could respond, he heard the sounds of footsteps running from behind him. The guard glanced over his shoulder, and Hein turned around. He saw Rexi and Qresh running, then stopping with looks of worry. They were staring at the guard. Qresh was carrying an old sack that Hein could smell, and knew what was inside.

“Hey, nice to see some of the…what do you call yourselves again?” The guard asked with a smile.

“We unfortunately are in quite a hurry, and need to leave.” Rexi answered.

Rexi looked nervous, but stood in place with a forced smile. Qresh lumbered past her, and headed to the boat. The waft of the bag was horrendous.

“Too much beans…mhm…near shit m’self…” Qresh growled out as he passed.

“Aye, we’ve all been there.” The guard shouted back at Qresh, then turned to Rexi.

“Well don’t let me keep you two miss.” The guard said, and waved as both Hein and Rexi headed to the boat.

As they walked, Rexi whispered to Hein, keeping her smile.

“We didn’t have time to bury Toenails, cause some of the guards were alerted. They don’t know we did it, so we should leave for a bit and let the chaos die down.

Hein looked over his shoulder, and saw the guard they spoke to run off towards the city.

“You didn’t throw his body…” Hein asked as they walked onto the boat.

Rexi was silent.

“By the gods…Rexi…” Hein grumbled as they made it to the boat.

“He wanted it that way!” Rexi responded.

“Bug Boy ain’t here yet…musta fell behind…” Qresh growled, before stopping to cough near the boat’s edge.

The odor must have started to get to him.

“Bug Boy? Who?” Hein inquired.

Qresh let out several wet coughs, until an especially hard one caused him to drop the bag. It unceremoniously fell over the edge of the boat.

“Aw hells…” Qresh growled, then readied to jump.

Before he could, the corpse was swarmed with fish. Their frenzy pushed the bag out of the way, and reduced what was left of Toenails to bones before his remains sank.

Hein groaned, Rexi looked horrified, but Qresh actually started to laugh.

“Now he’s back in the food chain, an’ he got to be part of a fart joke. Toenails woulda loved this…” Qresh said happily.

Rexi chuckled with Qresh. Hein didn’t laugh.

“Who’s bug boy? Did you two find someone to join us that fast?” Hein asked again.

Answering before Rexi or Qresh could, Hein saw the guards in the distance surround a thin figure. The man was yelling so loudly, and talking so exaggeratedly villainous, Hein could actually make out what he was saying.

“That’s right! I did it! I thew the dead bearded kid at the crowd! You’ll neeever catch me! Not without the Fighting Five! Muhahaha…” Rel shouted as several guards tackled him, which abruptly cut off his laughter.

The humor left Hein’s face, which was now blank. Rexi’s smile started to look nervous, and Qresh turned to her.

“He ain’t lookin’ too good now…is he?” Qresh asked her.

Hein turned to Rexi, “Wait…some stranger offered to take the fall…to cover for you two defiling a corpse?” Hein asked.

“It isn’t “defiling” because Toenails wanted his body thrown in front of snobby rich people. I can’t deny his last request…and we didn’t know Rel would do this!” Rexi said honestly.

“Kinda was defilin’ but it was damn funny huh…hehehehe…” Qresh growl-laughed, before he coughed again.

Hein didn’t look convinced, and turned back towards the scene.

“Don’t worry about Rel, the man out there, he can turn into a spider and slip out of the bars…” Rexi told the two, though she sounded more like she was assuring herself instead of her friends.

“Trial period…” Qresh growled out when he finished coughing.

Thankfully the smell was nearly gone.

Hein rubbed his face, but now could see how much he was needed.

“If he doesn’t make it, you two should come clean and at least tell them that it was Toenail’s last wish. If these guards know you all, they’ll probably understand.

Hein noticed that the pile of guards that were on the strange man were now staggering around, swatting themselves. The guards then started to disperse. Though the boat was far, Hein didn’t notice any paired up, or carrying any prisoners. The three stood there for about two minutes, watching the guards all walk out of view.

Hein let out a yawn before speaking to Rexi.

“Well, I suppose I can meet “Bug Boy” in the morning. I am rather tired, and would like to get some restful sleep for once. I hope I don’t wake up on Black Scarf’s boat.

When Hein turned around, he nearly ran into something. The man was thin, but quite a bit taller than Hein. He was also covered in cobwebs, cobwebs with occupants crawling inside them.

Hein screamed and staggered back, as Rel smiled with elongated canine teeth. Hein knew it wasn’t a vampire, he couldn’t explain how, but immediately saw the man’s teeth as spider fangs.

Rel pointed at Hein before speaking.

“Hey! You’re Hein Slatecutter! You’re the guy who played that funny prank on the Mechanus people with a jar of peanut butter! I loved that story!” Rel shouted excitedly.

“How in the Nine Hells do you know that? Who are you?” Hein shouted.

“Well, that’s what Darrik told me…” Rel answered, sounding somewhat disheartened.

“Rel! You’re safe which is great, but you didn’t have to scare the guards.” Rexi said.

Rel smiled, “Nah, but it was fun, and nobody will suspect you three. Just fake “catch” me later, and tell them I’m just a crazy hobo who ate the wrong mushrooms and stole your friend’s body. They’ll believe it…cause I actually can eat the wrong mushrooms. Then you can rehabilitate me, I’ll eventually be seen as a functioning member of society, and everybody wins.”

Rexi smiled the whole time he said this, but didn’t respond. Qresh didn’t look amused.

“I’ll get the sail goin’…” Qresh grumbled.

Hein looked at Rel, who smiled, then back at Rexi.

“You got another crazy person.” Hein started, but turned back to Rel.

“Why did Darrik tell you that? How did he learn that?” Hein asked, half worried, and half amused.

“Well, Darrik was sort of worried about you. He said it had been some time before you spoke to anyone, since you turned into a tiefling. He thinks it’s mostly due to him living in Elturel. I think he said some weird looking monster lady told him. Symon or Snyrden or something…I don’t know…I just thought the story was funny.” Rel answered.

Hein looked back at Rexi, shocked, but thankful. Nonsense was going to be the norm now, but at least Hein had company he enjoyed. Rexi smiled widely, as Qresh sailed the boat away from the docks. Hein couldn’t help but smile back.