Teddy was taken further and further down, unnervingly deep. His escort said nothing, just kept turning the item over and over while he walked, his long legs setting a long stride Teddy had to take a skip step every so often to keep up.
His bronze rank body was more comfortable in different environments Teddy found, through the wet heat of the delta, the scorching heat of the desert, the cold of the depths when they were fighting monsters at sea and the nights in the open on the top deck of the Serenity. He could sense the atmosphere was getting hotter though. The final level they got to was sweltering, Teddy even started to sweat and thought to himself that he was sure Kyra said that they didn’t need to sweat anymore. More than that it seemed that the atmosphere around him was oppressive the deeper they went and he felt strained.
They were passing doorways that lead to halls, the pace was fast and he wouldn’t have been able to get much detail without his essence powers which allowed him to slow time to his perception. He saw inside each circular hall there was a round forge in the centre, the outside of each room was full of the same tools and magical machines for working. A crowd of young Stonewallers was in each room, they were even-proportioned, looking more similar to human than their adult counterparts. With each group was an adult who was demonstrating, lecturing or observing them work.
They finally got to the end room, larger than the rest with more equipment, there were slightly older youths in here, their scowling expressions and looks of scorn towards Teddy made him peg them as adolescents.
Orcnig ignored them all, going to a bench he laid James’s vambrace on it and stepped back and folded his arms. The youths kept a respectful silence and distance, looking curiously around the master armourer and at the item.
After ten minutes or so the Stonewaller turned to Teddy.
“Outsider, what can you tell me of this item?”
Teddy coughed nervously, all the Stonewallers had turned to stare at him, interrogating him with their eyes. Instead of answering he opened a rift, or tried to. The power felt slippery and elusive. He frowned, remembered the advice the council had given Ragnar and focussed hard on his aura. He tried again and opened his storage power rift, he reached in and took out a notebook, one of Lucy’s and flipped to the right page and turned it to Orcnig.
Item: [Vambrace of Menagerie] (iron rank [growth], legendary)
Armour that when developed will increase the effect of transformation powers.
This item is bound to you and cannot be used by anyone else.
Effect: When engraved by a magical armourer (or mystical tattooist’s with the necessary skills) will grant the wearer benefits to transformation powers. Benefits will be limited to size and skill of engraving. Once an engraving is in place it cannot be removed. Engravers must be at least equal rank to the item, higher rank engravers will produce a stronger effect.
Effect (Bear Claw): When making physical attacks with this item it will create a slashing effect that will cause the [Bleeding] condition to occur. Against targets that do not bleed extra damage of the resonating force type will be added.
Effect (Eagle wing): When making attacks that involve a wing it will sheathe the wing in metalled blades. The attack will be much stronger than without this item. Attacks will have resonating force, disruptive force and trace transcendent damage. Any transformation to wings will include these effects. Ranged effects will be augmented by this accessory. [This effect cannot be improve until silver-gold ascension but will still need upgrade materials per ritual of ascension]
Effect (Lightning): For a high mana cost imbue attacks with an electric effect. Small chance of paralysis and ongoing muscle spasms.
Effect (Venom of the Merciless Desert): Inflicts poison damage. Chance to inflict [Milk of the Cacti]. Chance to inflict [Greyscale]. Can only affect living enemies with blood. Must penetrate enemy to inflict poison and [Milk of the Cacti]. Contact with the venom has a smaller chance of causing [Greyscale].
[Bleeding] (affliction, wounding, blood): Deals ongoing damage by causing or increasing blood loss. As a wounding effect, this condition absorbs or negates an amount of incoming healing, after which this affliction immediately ends.
[Milk of the Cacti] (affliction, blood): Causes afflicted enemies to hallucinate and a chance to cause damage to themselves by convulsion.
[Greyscale] (affliction, incapacitating): Affliction that spreads across the skin. Causes joints to lock up and impairs mobility.
Growth Conditions (bronze):
Bound user must be at least bronze rank.
4 kilograms of low grade (bronze rank) star-fall silver
100 bronze-rank iron quintessence gems
100 bronze-rank magic quintessence gems
100 bronze-rank animal based quintessence gems (per engraving)
[100 bear quintessence]
[100 wing quintessence]
[100 lightning quintessence]
[100 venom quintessence]
1000 bronze rank spirit coins
Silver rank Artificer
Ritual of bronze ascension.
“Yes, this makes sense, we can work with this. You have the necessary materials?”
Teddy looked around and found a stack of leather-looking buckets that looked big enough and tough enough. He pulled them out and lined them up. He stood in front of each in turn and opened his rift above them, out fell the star-fall silver, the quintessence of each type required and the spirit coins taking up three buckets at the end.
Orcnig inspected each bucket, pulling a handful of each material and inspecting it closely before letting them spill between his fingers back into the buckets. The ‘students’ took themselves off to stand by the door, they crouched and their long legs meant their knees were near their ears, they were patient and silent, watching Orcnig work. He went to cupboards built back into the walls and started pulling other materials that Teddy didn’t recognise.
“What…” was all Teddy managed to ask before he was hissed at and one of the students leapt forward and grabbed him, pulling him back to the line and pushing on his shoulder until he adopted the squat to watch the work.
………
Back in the water-link chamber the rest of the team were waiting for the call to connect. Ragnar had been taken by the ever-shy Auster, her almost-normal to human proportions marked her as a teenager which explained her meek behaviour. They had to show Ragnar the way out so that if he needed to he could go and get some ‘fresh air’ incase he started feeling the side effects of being down in the array for too long. The youth of the Stonewallers seemed not to be as affected by the condition and could climb higher than the adults, possibly why Auster had been assigned to them as a guide while they lived higher out the array, but she had told them that she still couldn’t leave and the sunlight still burnt.
The three Mitchells were milling about, waiting for the pool on the far side to transform into whoever it was that was calling.
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“So why does the Merchants guild want us?” James asked.
“I’m not sure, we own property but not a business so I don’t know. Definitely not sure why they want to black list us.” Lucy replied.
The water started rippling and forming a bulge that transformed into a person.
“Looks like we’re about to find out.”
Two mounds formed, they recognised the form of Vincent, the sub-standard waterlink chamber on their end struggled with the grandiosity of his moustache and it dripped comically. The second form was an older man with long sensible robes on.
“Mitchells, it’s good to see you. But where is Teddy?”
“Good to see you too Vincent, he’s making friends already, he got snatched and taken below to study making armour and weapons!”
“No! You have to understand, if you go into Stonewall you will become sick and die!”
“Vinnie don’t worry.” Kyra said. “The director didn’t tell you? As outworlders we’re not as effected by the array as other races, he’ll be fine.”
A look of relief crossed Vincent’s face and then annoyance at the nickname. “This is Grand Master Chase. He is the head of the Merchants Guild and has asked to speak with you as soon as possible. We are keen to facilitate this as by the laws of the City he has a real grievance that could get you blacklisted. Do you understand? You could be unable to take contracts and any contract you are on could be withdrawn.”
The implication was clear and the Mitchells nodded.
“Pleasure to meet you Master Chase, we wish it was under different circumstances but what can we do for you?” Kyra said in her most diplomatic voice.
“Mitchells, a pleasure to meet you as well, we have been needing to speak to you or a while. There is a considerable balance of money to be discussed.”
“A balance of money? What would this be for?”
“You are not aware of the loan that was taken out in your name against your property outside the city?”
Vincent subtly changed his body language, trying to tell them to be careful.
“The loan against our property.” Kyra said leadingly, not making it a question, more of a statement.
“Yes, quite substantial.” He leafed through a piece of paper, again the quality of the chamber meant the thin paper construct dripped as he spoke. “To include the building of a manufacturing facility and renovation of the courtyard for something called Coffee and a Cafe.”
It dawned on them what was going on. Gerald had said that he was going to develop the coffee he was making. They had given him their full blessing and told him to make the most of it that he could, he had obviously done well enough that he had taken big steps.
“Yes the renovation of our property required funds whilst we were away, I’m sure you understand as adventurers we are required to travel some times.” Kyra said with a charming smile.
The man may have been on a stickler on the other end and while their connection was not great it would be crystal clear on the other end and Kyra was stunning, her smile could charm most vendors into giving her considerable discount.
“Well, the issue is not the loan, with your reputation backed by the Adventure Society we obviously cleared the funds for the project, the problem is the missed repayments.”
Now they were slightly worried, they were comfortable with Gerald making investments but they were worried that he had overstepped and failed.
“Our housekeeper Gerald is not making repayments?”
“He has not made a single repayment.” At the mans words Vincent coughed. “He is not permitted to make repayments I should say.”
“A long passed by-law quirk that has been dug up by certain parties.” Vincent clarified.
“Yes well.” The man said, looking uncomfortable. “The rules are clear and we are beholden to uphold them.”
[No guesses for who is pushing them to uphold some crappy old law.] Lucy wrote on the interface.
“Well let’s rectify this immediately!” Kyra said brightly.
“I’m afraid it is not that simple Mrs Mitchell, there are considerable charges for missing the first repayment as I’m sure you will understand this is to encourage people to not take out loans that they cannot afford. The weekly repayments after this have also incurred charges.”
“What kind of shady racket is this? I’ve seen better deals from loan sharks.” James muttered, forgetting himself considering they normally made comments like that on the interface.
“What my brother in-law means is that we of course will pay they charges and any interest.”
“Certainly, when can we expect you back to pay the charges?”
“Back? We’re weeks of travel away and halfway through a contract which will take us even further away.”
“Oh dear, this is unwelcome news, the implications…”
“We can pay.” Lucy interrupted. “There must be a way, money is money, as long as you have it from us it should work.”
“The money is to be paid in person Mrs Mitchell the rules…”
“The rules state it must be from us, if that goes through a reputable intermediary then surely that works.”
“A reputable intermediary… who would that be?”
“Vincent, this contract we are on, it’s a contract from the intercontinental council to deliver weapons for a city?
“Yes it is.”
“Then you have an account with Stonewall to produce said weapons regularly?”
“Yes we do.” A small smile appearing on his face.
“Then I propose this, we will pay the loan in full to the coffers of the Stonewallers, this will be in lieu of however many payments are required by the intercontinental council to produce weapons required, they in turn will back pay the Greenstone Adventure Society who can hands the money to yourselves.”
“The loan in full plus interest… It is considerable.”
Kyra pulled out a hand mirror and looked at her other hand, a stack of at least a dozen gold rank coins appeared.
“Will this be able to cover it?”
The man was flabbergasted, that amount of money was unseen of in Greenstone, even for the master of the merchants guild it was rare to be dealing in gold coins. He started stammering but Vincent jumped in.
“The Greenstone Adventure society accepts this proposal, as the deputy director and continental representative for the area I am also authorised to preliminarily accept the proposal on their behalf. That is enough authority for you to go forward and transfer funds to the Stonewallers, as a third party they should not be messed around unduly I would recommend.”
There was a moment where the two on the other side looked at each other, unable to feel it from where they were they guessed there was a little aura square off. The Master of the merchants guild didn’t seem like a bad guy, he didn’t seem that he was in league with the families that were causing trouble, quite the opposite, he seemed that he was caught in a hard place and uncomfortable in the whole situation.
“I would suggest that you do not deny collaborations with the adventure society on this matter else future deals become more… complicated.” Vincent finished and it seemed to be the final nail in the coffin as the other man turned back towards the Mitchells.
“This is acceptable, make the funds transfer before the end of the week and you will incur no more charges. I hope to meet you on your return under better circumstances. Good day to you all. He nodded to Vincent and walked out, the water facsimile splashing on the tiles as it got to the edge.
“Vincent waited a moment, looking off-stage. “Well played Mitchells, impressive, I thought that was going to take a lot more negotiating.”
“I think it gave him an exit he actually really wanted. This gets him out from under the families, pays him off and if Gerald is doing well probably makes him more in taxes etc.” Lucy said.
“Gerald is here if you would speak to him?” Vincent asked.
“Absolutely!” Kyra said happily.
Vincent also walked off the plinth and the water crashed to the floor again, shortly two mounds of water rose out of the edge coming towards the middle forming the two men. Gerald was fidgeting nervously with a cap in his hands.
“Aye, ere I just wanted to say sorry.” Gerald started straight away.
“Gerald, how is business.” Lucy interrupted the apology.
“Err, see I just had to hire two more staff, so that brings it up to six serving staff and four out back, we aboot doubled our catering contract with the Schooner as we kept running out. Our opening hours are extended when word caught on about the sunset from the villa which means I’ve had tae stagger the shifts, if this’n keeps up then I’ll need hire more as thats nae a sustainable solution.”
“So good is what you’re saying?” James said.
“I couldnae believe it! It’s spread faster than a Warped Chameleon’s fire. We’ve got a contract on the table offered by the Davone family who grow some of the finest tea in the delta. There’s a cake shop that want tae have a display in the courtyard.”
“That’s amazing! We’re very proud of you and happy it’s all working! What a nice surprise. Can you handle it?” Kyra asked.
“Handle it? If anything I was looking tae grow it somehow.”
“Well Vincent, how much do we owe the merchants guild?”
The conversation developed into a boring lot of numbers that Lucy swiftly took over and worked out.
“So not even one of the dozen of gold coins we flashed then. How about this, if its ok with the others. We send half a dozen gold rank coins, if the society can manage that, then you invest that in the business, purchase a premise in the city, and copy the business model, you’ll have the clients that want to get out the city for a trip and the opportunistic that want a quick bite and drink. And get a cart, people love buying coffee from a cart in cities.”
Geralds eyes went wide. Six gold coins was a small fortune, he should be able to start building a small coffee empire with that.
“All due respect, I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves here, we have nae spoken aboot how much yer all making out of this, it’s your business after all, I’m just running it.”
“Partner.” Kyra said and the others nodded. “Let’s start with a six way split for now, a share each, then a share to re-invest to growth.” She looked at Lucy who shrugged her shoulders and nodded. “When we get back we’ll convene a board meeting and have a look at where the business is.”
Gerald was generally a very stoic man, he looked slightly emotionally overwhelmed at the news that not only were they not angry at him but they were encouraging him so firmly.
“Thank you! I’ll do meh best, rest assured.”
“We know you will, don’t burn yourself out, if you need to then employ people you trust to help, you’ll need a manager for one of the premises anyhow.” James said.
Gerald said his goodbyes and they wished him luck and he left. Vincent was left with them in the room.
“Another surprise result, I thought you might have at least admonished him for gambling with your home.”
“No, I’m more concerned putting himself at risk. Our home is our family and wherever they are, the Serenity is our home more than ever now.” Kyra said.
They made small talk and Vincent assured them they were missed, he wished them good luck and left. When they left the waterlink chamber they bumped into Auster who was waiting for them.
“I hope your meeting was to your satisfaction. What would you like to do next?”
Kyra put a hand on James and Lucy’s shoulders to forstall their answers. Her eyes were bright and gleaming.
“Now Auster, take us shopping!”