Transfiguration Runes

Ralia walked around Nathaniel’s dungeon workshop. Strange workstations she had never seen lined the walls, and a central table filled with various items sat in the center. Nathaniel was working in the corner carving runes into a bronze dagger with an oversized hilt.

Ralia picked up one of the strange items. It was a metal sphere with multiple runes carved into it. A circular rune with a single curved line inside it glowed, but there was a cube shaped rune and a pyramid shaped rune on it as well. Another rune sat on the top of the sphere.

“What are these things?” Ralia said, looking to Nathaniel.

Nathaniel turned to her, “Experiments,” he said going back to work, “I’m testing to see how powerful runes really are. So far, they are extremely powerful.”

“How so?”

“See that touch rune on the top of the sphere, touch it.” Nathaniel smiled at her.

Ralia gave him a confused look but pressed the rune. She yelled as the metal moved in her hand and dropped in onto the table. The outer surface of the sphere shifted. She stared amazed as the round edges flattened and a cube sat where the sphere once was.

“Apparently runes have the ability to change an object’s shape, as long as there’s enough mass to do so,” Nathaniel said, “Pick up that rod and press the touch rune but point the ends away from you.”

Ralia held the rod at a distance and pushed the rune. One end of the rod shot out until it hit the wall. Despite the rod’s extension, it felt no heavier than when it was little.

“How,” Ralia stared in shock.

“That rune uses the object’s internal mass to increase its length. The problem is that weakens the object.”

Ralia pressed the rune, and the rod shrank. When she set it down, she noticed notches in the rod from her fingers.

“I see what you mean,” Ralia said, “But why create such a rune?”

“For this,” Nathaniel showed her the bronze dagger. He pressed a rune on the hilt and the blade extended to the length of a short sword, “If I pair the extension rune with a strengthening and durability rune, I can make swords that take up the same amount of space as a dagger. I can even apply it to weapons such as polearms and great swords.”

“But…why?” Ralia said.

Nathaniel scratched his stubbly chin, “How do you carry a polearm over long distances?”

“In your hands,” Ralia said still not understanding, “Polearms are often too large to be carried any other way.”

“What if you could shrink it so that it straps to you hip?”

Ralia stared at him for a few moments, until it finally dawned on her, “You can free up your hands!”

“Exactly,” Nathaniel said, “You’ll be able to stow away larger weapons, but you’ll be able to carry more of them. Image if you could carry a halberd, spear, and great sword all at once.”

Ralia’s eyes sparkled, “I’d be unstoppable,” she said, “What about a shield?”

Nathaniel grabbed a leather glove with a metal disk on it. He tapped the thumb against the side of the forefinger, and the metal disk grew until it was a full round shield. A shiver ran down Ralia’s spine which caused her tail to smack against the floor, and she tightly grabbed onto Nathaniel’s arm.

Ralia stared at him with shallow breaths, and her face felt warm, “Master, please… make me some gear,” she mewled.

Nathaniel laughed nervously, “I plan to Ralia,” he said trying to pry himself from her grip, “Right now I have the fabricators making the components I need. Once those are complete, I’ll begin on your gear.”

“Truly,” Ralia pressed against him. Her vision became hazy.

“I promise,” Nathaniel said, “Now please, do something about your tail.”

Ralia was aware that her tail had wrapped around Nathaniel’s leg and was stroking his upper thigh. She didn’t care.

“It has a mind of its own.”

A Year’s Worth

Morning light fell on Maria’s face, and she groaned as she stretched. She slowly rose to a seated position pushed her hair out of her face. There was a knock at the door and her attendant entered.

“Good morning, Lady Saint,” she said with bow, “Would you like your breakfast in bed today?”

“Not today,” Maria said getting out of bed, “I have a meeting with the others shortly. I’ll take something light after getting dressed.”

“And what would you like to wear today?”

“The pink and blue dress with the matching underwear,” Maria slipped off her nightgown and headed to the closet.

The morning air was cool against her bare skin, and her attendant hung up a rose-colored dress with blue lace around the collar and sleeves. Maria stared in disgust when she noticed the frayed seams and missing threads on the light pink and blue laced panty and matching bra.

“Damn it Nate, why did you have to go missing,” Maria cursed as she put on her underwear.

“I’m sure we can find a tailor, or seamstress to fix them,” her attendant said with a strained smile.

“We’ve tried that already,” Maria sighed, “But they were unable to learn the recipe, even after destroying a set from myself, Shizuka, and Ophelia.” Maria slipped on the dress and let her attendant cinch up the corset, “I hope Ophelia finds him, because I’m going to lock him up in the dungeon until he makes me a year’s worth of lingerie.”

“I pity the Inventor.”

Maria laughed as she put on her slippers. After a quick breakfast she headed out into the castle with her attendant. She rounded a corner and nearly ran into Shawn.

“Morning Maria,” Shawn said with a smile, “Heading to the meeting?”

“Yes,” Maria fell in step with Shawn, “Will Duncan be attending?”

“Not likely,” Shawn said with a chuckle, “He was up late last night,”

Maria scoffed with a shake of her head, “We’ve only been here three years, and yet you two have spawned enough children to populate a small town.”

Shawn’s smile turned sour, “Yeah, that’s true,” he said.

“You don’t sound happy about it,”

“I… don’t like thinking about it,” Shawn sighed as he scratched his head, “The fact that I have children that won’t know me,” he said, “It’s not easy living without a father.”

“Did you have a deadbeat dad?” Maria looked shocked. I guess there’s more to Shawn than I realized.

“No, he just worked himself to death,” Shawn said, “Four full-time jobs can do that to you, and my mother had to work her ass off too. It was thanks to my grandparents that I made it to college,” He gave her a sad smile, “I hope my siblings can take care of them.”

“I know what you mean,” Maria said with her own sad smile, “My grandpa worked his ass off to take care of my mother, but she ended up throwing her life away for an asshole. He took care of me when she wouldn’t, and I wanted to repay him. I bet he thinks I abandoned him just like my mother.”

“Getting summoned to this world really sucks sometimes,” Shawn said with a sad chuckle.

“Agreed,”

They entered the main hall of the palace. A group of elderly men and women stormed out of the throne room followed by a well-dressed couple. The group turned on the couple.

“Dammit Quarmane, give us the name of your supplier!”

Quarmane gave them an apologetic smile, “I’m sorry, but I don’t know what to tell you,” he said, “I have so many suppliers it’s hard to remember all of them.”

“Enough lying!”

“What’s that about?” Shawn said looking at the fight.

“It seems the Guild is upset with Porman Quarmane,” Ophelia said from behind them.

“What’d he do?” Maria looked at the large man. It must be bad if the Guild is involved.

“You know those mugs that keep drinks cold and hot?” Maria nodded, “Apparently, Quarmane knows the original creator, and he’s keeping his identity a secret.”

“So, the Guild’s upset that there is someone they can’t exploit,” Shawn said.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“That’s essentially it,” Ophelia said with a frown, “What’s odd is that no other craftsman has been able to replicate the product. Quarmane’s has complete control of the supply.”

Maria stared at the merchant in shock, “No one’s been able to replicate it,” she said, “You…don’t think…”

Ophelia stared at the merchant, “Master Quarmane,” she called out chasing after him. Maria followed. “Please, wait a moment!”

Porman turned and gave Ophelia a diplomatic smile, “Lady Oracle, I’ll always have time for you,” he said with a courteous bow, “How may I be of service.”

“Your supplier, the one who makes the mugs. What’s his name?” Ophelia said holding her hands tightly.

Porman gave her an apologetic smile, “I’m sorry my lady, but I can’t disclose that,”

“Please…I…”

Porman held up his hand, “I’m sorry,” he said, “But I can tell you is that all his products are being shipped from my branch in Rumand. Perhaps, you should visit when you have the time.” Ophelia’s smile fell as she nodded her head.

“I have a question master Quarmane,” Maria said placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, “How skilled is he?”

“He is… the best,”

Damn bastard! “Then can you ask him something for me?” Maria gave him a tight smile.

“I can try,” Porman said pulling out a notebook and pencil, “But I won’t see him again for several months. Probably until the end of the year.”

“Can he make me a year’s worth of lingerie?”

Geega’Bulmesh

Muffled screams echoed throughout the chamber. Sharp, serrated knives covered in blood and bile sat on the wooden table. The twisted goblin in fine robes poked around the chest cavity of the human lying on the table before him. The human cried into his gag as tears and blood ran down his face. A knock came from the door and a smaller goblin in simple clothes rushed in.

“Master Geega!”

Geega held up a single bloodied finger, “Not now,” He grabbed the shears.

Geega reached into the human’s chest and pulled on the heart. The human man screamed as Geega cut the blood vessels and set the heart aside. He then grabbed the glowing cloth sack and sewed the blood vessels into it. The human’s screams intensified as his blood vessels glowed light blue from the magic infusing his blood. The magic continued to spread, but then his body started to vaporize. The human’s flesh turned to ash and his screams eventually stopped.

Geega shrieked in frustration, “All those resources wasted on another failure,” he turned to the small goblin, “What is it Ubaal?”

“I bring awful news,” Ubaal said, “The dragon Ysa’Meera is dead, and the humans have taken her dungeon core.”

“Damn humans,” Geega said jumping off the stool, “We needed Ysa’Meera’s core for the fortress,” He headed to the door, “Clean up this mess, I’m heading to the Arcanist to find another core.”

Geega stormed up the spiraling staircase of his tower. He was assaulted by Pa’palla’s intense heat when he stepped onto the top floor. Six support pillars held up the cone roof which protected the five furry hobgoblins from the sun. They stood there picking their noses as they stared out onto the wastelands, but Pa’palla’s barren wastes weren’t much to see. Geega walked to the metal box that was tied to thick ropes that connected his tower to the large domed building in the center of the city. The rusted metal was pitted and held together with rope and wood.

“To the Evorium!” Geega glared at the hobgoblins.

The hobgoblins grunted and began turning the large wooden wheel that operated the winch. The carriage jerked forward with the rope. Geega looked down upon the city of Kuka Bahl. Nothing can compare to goblin ingenuity.

The cracking of whips permeated the air as humanoid slaves and imbecilic hobgoblins moved about the city performing their backbreaking labor. The gnolls cackled as they drove the slaves from the shadows of the rusted buildings and prodded the hobgoblins with their spears. Geega ducked into the carriage as it passed by a building that reflected the sunlight onto the carriage which caused it to heat up. Thankfully, the carriage cooled down once it fell into the shadow of the Evorium.

The carriage screeched to a halt as it locked into place, and Geega marched through the Evorium’s halls. The goblins working here moved out of his way and bowed in reverence. None dared bother the Master Innovator. Geega stepped into a large circular room where a map of the world was carved into the wooden floor. An apparatus made of metal and wood hung from the ceiling. Runes were carved into the metal and a large blue crystal sat in a special holster of leather and metal. A gnarled old goblin sat on a metal throne with multiple wooden levels around her.

“Arcanist, I need you to locate another dungeon core,” Geega said.

“Word of the dragon’s fall finally reached you,” the Arcanist cackled, “But if you want my services then you need to pay Geega’Bulmesh.”

Geega growled as he pulled out a leather cord with multiple metal plates on it. He flipped through the plates until he found one made of silver, then pulled it off and handed it to the Arcanist. The Arcanist took the plate then pulled several levers. The sound of grinding metal filled the room as the crystal moved along the wooden rails and hung in front of her. The Arcanist placed the plate into the crystal, and it started glowing with a bright light.

Geega stood to the side as the Arcanist operated the levers. The crystal moved to hover over the continent of Pa’palla, and the light that radiated from it coalesced into fifteen spots onto the map, one of the spots was on Kuka Bahl. Those cores should be ours. No other race knows how to use them like us goblins.

“Where do you want to look?” the Arcanist said with a crooked smile.

“The humanoid lands,” Geega said, “They’re the only ones too stupid to understand the core’s true potential.”

The Arcanist operated the machine, and the crystal hovered over Everhall. There had to be three times the number of glowing lights on the continent, but most were tiny specks with little presence. All except one. The largest spot Geega had ever seen glowed on the continent.

“It’s grown,” The Arcanist scratched her stubbly chin, “It wasn’t that large when I performed the reading last year.”

“What level is that core?”

The Arcanist pulled a lever and the crystal repositioned itself right over the location of the large core. She then lowered the crystal until it touched the map. With a lever pull, the ring around the crystal rotated and another beam of light shown at her feet as strange script.

“Level t-twenty-two!”

“Impossible,” Geega said staring at the script, “There’s no way a core could get to that level in a year.”

“Unless…someone is feeding it,” the Arcanist said, “Someone has claimed that core, and they are using it to amass power.”

“We must claim that core,” Geega said staring at the spot, “We can’t let it fall to anyone else.”

“You’re going to petition the Cabal to go after it?”

“Yes,” Geega said with a toothy smile, “And I’m going to request the use of the boom tubes.”

The Trade

“Please, don’t do this!”

Pomran looked over his shoulder to the rabbit lycan sitting in the caged wagon. Her hands were bound together with iron manacles that were secured to the floor of the cage. Tears ran down the side of her face matting her furry cheeks.

“A deal’s a deal love,” Pomran said with a chuckle, “We have a buyer already lined up to take you. Nothing you say will change that.”

“I’ll do anything!” the lycan laid down and spread her legs.

Pomran couldn’t help but laugh, “Why would I want to lay with filthy animal,” he said.

The lycan fell to the floor crying. Disgusting creature. Pomran let his gaze wander through the city. The ducal city of Danner easily outshined Rumand. Despite being on the open plains, most of the buildings were made of stone. At the center of the city, the golden domed ducal palace fought for his attention against the large multitowered academy. Pomran chuckled at the hubris needed to build such gaudy buildings.

Pomran turned down the street and pulled the wagon into the two-story trading house that his family ran. It was a simple building made from the finest wood and stone, with intricately carved awnings to signify his family’s wealth. He pulled the wagon to a stop and found his half-sister waiting for him.

“You’re early,” his sister smiled as she used her ornate fan, “Were you looking forward to my company.”

“Always Aramella,” Pomran said jumping down, “I enjoy our little gossip sessions, but business first.”

“Agreed,” Aramella walked to the back of the wagon, “She’s a fine specimen,” she said eyeing the lycan, “We’ll easily make a few hundred gold off her. Too bad you didn’t bring the dragon-heart.”

“I honestly wasn’t expecting to sell her that quickly,” Pomran laughed.

“You must have made quite the profit?”

“Hardly, it was more of a loss,” Pomran said, “But securing the client’s trust will benefit us in the long run.”

Aramella smiled, “I see,” she said heading into the trading house, “This is a trade after all. Let’s see if one of the slaves I have here will catch your attention.”

Pomran followed her to the back of the house where the slaves were stored. Furnished cages were lined up, and much like his own, there weren’t many there. One cage held a goblin with stringy white hair and drooping ears. Its eyes were glassy, and drool seeped from its mouth. Pomran grunted and kept going.

Another cage held a male orc. It’s large barrel chest was covered in scars, and he was missing his left ear, and his head was completely shaved.

“You have a female don’t you,” Aramella said, “You could use this one to breed her.”

“I’m not that foolish,” Pomran said laughing at the glaring orc, “Orcs are harder to subjugate when they’re grouped together, especially when they become mates.” Pomran sighed, “Is this all you have?”

“Well, I do have one other,” Aramella said, “But she’s not in the best condition. I purchased her from the academy.”

“Damn wizards, always having to break things,” Pomran scratched his head, “Fine, let’s see her.”

Aramella led him to the housing quarters of the trading house. Here, employees could stay the night when they worked late into the night and not have to worry about walking the streets at night. She led him to one room. An employee sat by the bed reading a book. Someone was laying on the bed.

Pomran approached the bed, “A fey!”

“Yes, the wizards were done with her, and sold her off to recuperate their losses,”

“What were they using her for?” Pomran said, sneering at the sight of her. A complete waste.

“This,” Aramella pulled out small vial, “A potion of youth. They provided me with several cases which I’m selling through third parties.”

“Do they work?”

“Of course not,” Aramella laughed, “They’re simply trying to make money off gullible nobles,” she said, then looked to the fey girl, “Perhaps father’s new friend could succeed where they failed.”

“Nathaniel,” Pomran scoffed, “He wouldn’t have anything to do with it, especially when he finds out about the ingredients,” he said, “He’s too kindhearted for that. It’s a little infuriating if I do say so myself."

Aramella smile turned seductive, “I’m certain I could fix that,”

“Trust me, he’s not that easy,” Pomran chuckled, “Not even mother could get him into bed.” He looked down at the fey, “I’ll take her. Maybe I can find a male to breed her with.”

The Coming Spring

Nathaniel sipped on the hot cider and looked at the others sitting around the fireplace. Sister Rose nibbled on the warm bun in her lap while Oden filled her cup with water. Several other key villagers sat with them as they waited on Barin who was sifting through his notes.

“Thank you for coming everyone,” Barin said, “We need to discuss how we’re going to get through this next year.”

“What do you mean?” a farmer said.

“Well, we had an abundant harvest last year, but we didn’t see much income come in from the hunting season,” Barin said.

“Why’s that?” Sister Rose said.

“We’re thinking that it’s due to the war,” Barin said shaking his head, “Most of the hunters are being drafted as soldiers, but there also seems to be less wildlife coming around the village.”

“So, how do you want to proceed with this next year?” Nathaniel said.

“I want you to work on the farming tools again,” Barin laughed, “The quality of the tools helped us grow far more crops this year than we ever have.”

“I can do that,”

“Good, and please do something with your…companion,” Barin said, “She’s been causing a ruckus lately.”

“What did Ralia do?”

“Nothing awful,” Oden said, “Her tongue’s a bit sharper than what the youngsters are used to.”

“Regardless, she’s been causing trouble, and it needs to stop,” Barin said.

“I’ll talk to her,” Nathaniel said.

“Good,” Barin looked around, “Also, I think it’s time we start looking for a healer. This winter was harder than last year, and sister Rose was overworked with treating the sick.”

“It was tough, I’m needing to restock my medicinal supplies,” Rose said, “Thankfully, Nathaniel was able to get me through the tough part.”

“Since when could a blacksmith master [Alchemy]?” a lumberjack said looking at Nathaniel.

“I haven’t mastered it, I just dabbled.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Barin said, “It just makes Nathaniel a more valuable member,” he looked through his notes, “Will anyone be going to Rumand soon?”

“I’ll be taking the livestock to the butchers.”

“I need to get some seeds I have ordered.”

“I have some metalworks that I need to take to market,” Nathaniel said.

Barin finished taking notes, “All right, when you all are there see if anyone is willing to move here, especially someone skilled in medicine.” They all nodded, “Good, I hope everyone is looking forward to this next year.”