Chapter 10: New Paths
The Moonlit Tankard bustled with the energy of a city alive with both opportunity and uncertainty.
The inn's common room was filled with a mix of adventurers, merchants, and locals, each contributing to the vibrant hum that echoed off the stone walls.
In the midst of it all, Daniel sat at a sturdy, oak table, staring down at the last few coins he had left.
The realisation that they were running out of money hit him hard, a knot of anxiety tightening in his chest. They had been in Sylvara for a couple of weeks now, but the cost of living was quickly draining their limited resources.
"Not much left, is there?" Jamie's voice cut through the noise, pulling Daniel from his thoughts. His brother sat down across from him, a look of concern on his face. Jamie had been tinkering with a device he had crafted earlier, a cross between a compass and a magnifying glass.
The familiar sight of his brother’s mechanical tinkering brought a small smile to Daniel’s lips, though it did little to ease his worry.
"Afraid not," Daniel replied, pushing the coins around the table. "We’re going to need to find work, and fast. Merium’s been gracious enough to give us a discount on the room, but we can’t rely on her generosity forever. Might be time you whip out the skimpy underwear and go make me some money." Daniel teased, smirking sadistically.
As if summoned by her name, Merium Seda appeared at the table, her sharp eyes catching the small pile of coins immediately. She placed her hands on her hips, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. "Running a bit low, are we?" she asked, her tone a mix of teasing and concern.
Daniel looked up at her, trying to mask his anxiety with a grin. "Yeah, you could say that. I’m not sure how much longer we can stretch this out. Do you have any work that might help us get by? With my looks, surely people would simply pay to gaze upon me."
Merium considered him for a moment, her gaze thoughtful. "Ah yes, come one and all, look upon the deformed human! On a serious note, I do have some odd jobs that need doing. Deliveries, some light labour. It’s not much, but it’ll keep the money coming in."
She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "And if you’re willing to get your hands a bit dirtier, there might be an opportunity at the Spearman's Consortium. I can put in a good word for you."
Daniel’s interest piqued at the mention of the Spearman's Consortium. He had seen the spearmen in action during his time in Sylvara, and the idea of learning a new skill—and earning more money—was appealing. "That could work," he said, nodding. "I’m not afraid of a bit of hard work. I think all I would be good for at the Spearman's place is as a practice dummy to stab, though."
Merium’s smile widened. "That sounds about right. I’ll make the arrangements. In the meantime, why don’t you help out with some of the deliveries? It’ll give you a chance to learn about the city and meet some of the locals."
Daniel agreed with a pained sigh, and within the hour, he found himself running errands for the inn.
The work was simple enough—delivering supplies to merchants, picking up ingredients from the market, and even helping with minor repairs around the inn. It wasn’t glamorous, but it kept his mind occupied and provided him with a sense of purpose.
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As the days passed, Daniel fell into a routine. He would spend his mornings running errands for Merium, running through the bustling streets of Sylvara as he delivered supplies to various shops and stalls.
The city, with its towering trees interwoven with buildings, was a labyrinth of pathways that he was slowly learning to navigate. The work was physically tiring but offered him the chance to explore Sylvara and, more importantly, make a few coins.
Jamie, on the other hand, had thrown himself into the local workshop he had found, which was tucked away in one of Sylvara's quieter districts. The workshop was a haven of creativity, filled with strange contraptions and half-finished projects.
The owner, a grizzled, old inventor named Garrick, had taken Jamie under his wing, impressed by the young man’s natural talent and enthusiasm for all things mechanical.
"You're a quick learner, Jamie," Garrick remarked one afternoon as they worked side by side, their hands covered in oil and soot. "You’ve got the kind of mind that sees the possibilities in things. Not everyone has that."
Jamie grinned, a smudge of grease across his cheek. "Thanks, Garrick. I’ve always liked building stuff, but the things you have here… it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before. The way you combine Aether with technology, it’s pretty damn amazing."
Garrick chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. "Aether changes everything, lad. It’s the lifeblood of this world, and if you learn to harness it, well, your creations can do just about anything."
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Jamie’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as he continued to tinker with the small device in front of him. The workshop had become his sanctuary, a place where he could lose himself in his work and forget about the unpredictable and dangerous world outside. It was here that he felt in-control, where his ideas could take shape and become something real.
The strange thing is that Jamie never had a burning desire for this line of work before. He had always been handy, but since adapting to this realm, he found a new level of insight he hadn’t possessed before.
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Izabelle, meanwhile, was finding her own rhythm in Sylvara. While Daniel and Jamie were out during the day, she balanced her time between looking after the children and helping out around the inn.
Izabelle had always been good with her hands, and her natural flair for design soon caught Merium’s eye. She began helping with the upkeep of the inn’s linens, mending tears and adding little touches of embroidery that brightened up the place.
It wasn’t long before her talents were noticed by others. One day, a local merchant spotted her working on a particularly intricate piece of embroidery and asked if she could make something similar for his shop.
Word quickly spread, and soon Izabelle found herself with a steady stream of clients admiring her work. The extra income was a welcome relief, and it allowed her to contribute to the family’s finances while still caring for Diana and Felix.
The children, too young to understand the full scope of what was happening, adapted quickly to their new surroundings.
Diana was especially curious, always asking questions and exploring the nooks and crannies of the inn.
Felix, ever the cheerful toddler, was content to follow his sister around, babbling happily as he tried to keep up whilst always looking for new ways to dent his cranium.
In the evenings, when the day’s work was done, the family would gather in their room at the inn. It was a small, peaceful space, but it was theirs, and it was filled with the warmth of their shared determination. The practice of Aether control had become a nightly ritual, a time for them to bond and grow more capable together.
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On one particular evening, after a long day of work, Daniel came back to the inn, exhausted but satisfied. He had spent the afternoon helping Merium with a more unusual task—gathering herbs just outside the city walls. It had been the first time he had ventured beyond the safety of Sylvara, and though the forest was beautiful, it was also daunting.
Every rustle of leaves had set his nerves on edge. He had figured the outskirts of the city would be safe, but always managed to talk himself into anxiety paralysis. Despite his nerves, the job was done, and he had returned with the herbs and a bit of extra coin in his pocket.
As he entered their room, he found Izabelle sitting on the floor with Diana and Felix, a half-finished piece of embroidery in her lap. Jamie was perched on the edge of the bed, fiddling with yet another gadget.
"Hello, my darling," Daniel greeted with his finest Matt Berry impression, dropping down beside them. "How was your day?"
Izzy looked up with a smile. "Busy, but good. I got a few more commissions today. People seem to like what I’m doing, which is nice. How about you? You look like you’ve been through the wringer."
Daniel chuckled. "Yeah, I was out gathering herbs for Merium. It was… interesting. But we made it back in one piece, so I’ll call that a win." He shuddered, thinking of his horror at being hunted for cuddles by the tiny ball of fluff.
Jamie glanced up from his gadget, curiosity piqued. ‘So, see anything weird out there?"
"Nope... Just the usual trees and plants," Daniel replied, stretching his legs out in front of him. "But it’s weird being outside the walls. You never know what might be out there. Well I don't, at least."
Izzy reached over and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Good job though. We’re making progress, all of us. Did you find any herbs we can... enjoy?" She queried, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
He squeezed her hand back, a playful look of shock and disapproval playing on his face. "This land seems devoid of the devil's lettuce, and I'll thank you to keep your evil temptations to yourself."
As the evening drew on, they settled into their practice. The room glowed softly with aether as they focused, each working on refining their control. Diana, ever eager to learn, tried to mimic what her parents were doing, though her efforts often resulted in nothing more than a few sparks. Still, she didn’t give up, and Daniel couldn’t help but feel proud of her determination.
By now, all of the adults were capable of maintaining at least a small, spherical aether construct in their palms for a good amount of time. With introspection, they were able to clearly visualise the entirety of the Aetherial System within, sensing how each pathway connected and where each well or node was located.
Though their Experience Well filled up slowly each day, they all remained level one. The more one accomplished, however, the more that well filled.
By the time they finished, the room was filled with a sense of calm and contentment. The worries of the day had faded away, replaced by the quiet satisfaction of another step forward. They were a long way from where they had started, but each day brought them closer to understanding this world and their place in it.
As they prepared for bed, Daniel glanced around at his family, his heart swelling with love and pride. Jamie had slipped off to his room, likely staying up too late tinkering.
They had been through so much, and yet they continued to push forward, finding new paths in this new life. Daniel had a sudden thought that he hadn't really chased up finding Liriel, and decided he would ask Merium about her tomorrow.
And with that thought, Daniel allowed himself to relax, closing his eyes as sleep began to take him. The last thing he heard was the soft, steady breathing of his family, a comforting reminder that they were all here, safe and together. For now, that was enough.