[Arrjee’s Point of View]
I could see my brother and our new friends over the school’s basic fence. They were facing our way, probably awaiting our arrival. Sun had removed his serape, and I was curious to get a closer look. He wasn’t blocky, exactly, but there was a lot more bulk to his torso than I had realized. Forrest was still outfitted in his leathers, armbands, and new knife attached to his belt.
Ferret’s clothing was ragtag, like the hand-me-downs from an older-brother’s hand-me-downs. If it kept him warm in their winter cave, then it had served his purpose. He’s got a knife also hanging from a belt, but sort of tied in place instead of being in a sheath which would enable him quick access. I had noticed earlier that it was worn, extensively nicked up. We can’t see his tail from this angle, but was anticipating Lenyet’s reaction to it, everyone’s really, on top of everything else.
We walked through the opening in the fence, and no one had spoken yet. “Lenyet, did I forget to tell you we had some newcomers? Several weeks ago Forrest arrived, then Onre, and now these two from the Continent of the Trichyans. Forrest and I have already befriended them. Who knows, they may become your apprentices.”
Just then Ferret turned to say something to Sun, and his tail came into view. I heard Lenyet’s audible gasp.
“Does that count?” I asked Skawa.
“Yes, you’ll find one bronze on the desk in your room,” he replied.
“Hello, everyone,” Forrest called out once we had entered the campus. “We haven’t explored the school building yet, so maybe we can do that in a little while. Arrjee, I see you’re with some new visitors that I don’t know, so you are probably the only one who can introduce us all.”
As we walked, I did so. I had to speak loudly because our groups were not yet near each other.
I noticed Sun was staring at the Skolturi with awe. At least that is how I interpreted his expression. We had not come into range of Group Mind yet. We kept walking. Ah, here it is.
Loudly, as if pronouncing an edict, “Skolturi Masters I honored!” || Masters Skolturi, I am most honored to be in your presence. idiot:bow
Sun’s bow looked like it should have been awkward, but it was not. Somehow their torso managed to significantly lean down without lifting their rear foot off the ground.
“Everyone, bow! Here Skolturi!!” || Please bow down everyone! We are in the presence of honored and ancient Skolturi.
What could I do? I bowed as well. I noticed Forrest follow suit, then Ferret. I heard rustling and could see motion at the sides of my eyes. I’m pretty sure Mom, Dad, Lenyet, Kossa, and Onre are bowing also.
Asiel responded, “We are pleased to see you, youngling – younglings all. Please stand. We accept a position of service at Einvigi’s school, not lordship.”
honor accepted, interesting group mind accent
I stood and looked around. Everyone else stood erect as well.
Sun answered the silent thought. “Me Arrjee taught.” || Arrjee taught it to me over an hour ago.
Immediately the eyes of Asiel and Orian shot at me with razor-sharp focus and surprise. In unison.
What?!
Skawa told me, “Well, there is your other bronze piece. I fully expected to lose both bets, but it is so rare that someone is willing to bet directly with the god of gambling.”
It’s showtime. With a grin, “This I mention not?” || Did I forget to mention this? Sorry. Not sorry. fun
Dad corrected me, “Son, the Skolturi told us we do not need to speak like Trichyans for them to understand us. Sun might think it is disrespectful. Anyway, now I don’t understand you well.”
“Hmm, I wonder.”
“Wonder what?”
“Just an idea. I’ll test it in a minute.”
I replied indirectly, informing everyone what was going on. “In my first life as an intelligent ant, we had a hive mind. I had it for an entire life, then died and was reborn here. Earlier today as Sun was speaking, the Hive Mind skill came back. It had been nascent and so could begin at Rank C. It soon adjusted itself to be the Group Mind skill. I didn’t really teach Sun anything; he grew up with everyone speaking within the Group Mind.” || please add anything important I miss
“What I did was add a little focus to it. Hive Mind has a much greater range than Group Mind, so we usually chose specifically those with whom we desired to use it with. Think of it as being in a crowded room, but you’re focusing your conversation on just a few nearby friends. Sun liked this ‘accent’ and started copying it.” || anything else important?
I sensed a non-committal “no” from several minds.
Mom verified, “Arrjee, you mean you understand all of what Sun says?”
“Yes,” I responded, “and Dad might be able to as well. Dad, try turning on your Listen skill.” || good possibility this will work
Skawa was surprised. “Oh, maybe something new! I had never thought of this possibility. There are so few with the Potentate Class.”
“Okay, it’s on.” His response sounded doubtful.
I asked Sun to include Dad and see what happens. “Mayor Silverstone I greet. || Mayor Silverstone, hello?
“Me you hear?”” || Are you hearing everything I say?
“Yes, yes I do. Do you feel my excitement?”
Sun responded, “Words only I hear.” || I’m sorry; I only hear your words.
“Group mind you absent.” || You have no presence in our group mind.
Dad repeated Sun’s full thoughts, making it clear that Listen was working. “Okay, that’s 90% effective. I’m not in Group Mind, but you could understand me fully already, and with Listen active I can fully understand you.”
Sun responded simply, “Yes. Alone I not.” || Yes, I am so happy to have many here who would understand me. I expected I would remain almost alone in my thoughts.
Ferret must have been shy with so many new people. He had not said anything until now. “So Sun, Arrjee, two Skolturi, and Arrjee’s Mayor Dad all hear thoughts, but not Ferret? Why?”
Forrest almost immediately responded, “I don’t hear the thoughts. I doubt Mom does either, or Master Birch, Onre, or Kossa.” They all acknowledge the truth of what he said. “But that doesn’t mean we never will. If someone else becomes able, will it be a bad thing?”
After a second’s thought, “No. Good thing. More means Sun less alone.”
I wondered if Ferret was understanding more than he thought. He certainly seems to be able to read between Sun’s words.
Lenyet Birch began a quiet laugh. We all looked at him, and he self-consciously stopped. “Sorry. Walking here from the square, I thought the Skolturi were just giving us an engaging history lesson. I didn’t know why they were spending so much time on the nature of Trichyan speech. It took me until now to realize that meeting Evening Sun was what they were preparing us for.”
He walked up to Sun to shake their hand. They did so, then Lenyet turned with his hand to Ferret. “What is your story, young Ferret Drewson? I am here as Forrest’s Martial Arts master. I am also a teacher and an adventurer. Perhaps one day I may teach at this school.”
Self consciously and suddenly panicked, he responded, “I not read. Yet. But Arrjee and Forrest and Sun all say they teach me before school open. I was outcast and not smart, but Einvigi invited me as student, so it okay, right?” He grabbed hold of the Master’s hand to shake it, as if it were a test deciding his future. Lenyet pulled Ferret in for a reassuring hug, telling him that no one was going to overrule Einvigi.
Lenyet had broken the stilted, formal air separating the two groups. Dad, Mom, Onre, and Kossa all went forward to welcome our newcomers with handshakes and hugs. It granted a physical element to our acceptance of their presence.
Asiel commented, now adopting the more focused ‘accent’, “This is better than we could have hoped. We weren’t sure if species divided so long could regain the unity Heere once knew.” || past concerns ameliorated
The additional wrinkle of a newly emergent species adds even more. Einvigi had kept some surprises up her sleeve.” || curiosity, happiness, gratitude, surprise
Orian agreed with him, and they both greeted Forrest, Ferret, and Sun with their near-physical handshakes. Asiel was the first to shake with Forrest, with an eye-to-eye look of respect, as they had both been giving the others. Then I noticed a look of quick, focused curiosity. He gave Orian a meaningful glance, before moving on to Sun. Orian then shook with Forrest, and his reaction was the same as Asiel’s. Orian didn’t comment on anything, though, instead stating, “Forrest suggested earlier that we explore the buildings here. Since we are right in front of what looks to be a central building of some type, why not start here?”
“Am I more aware of things because you are in my mind?”
Skawa replied, “No. I am doing nothing to enhance your perception or thought. Interesting events transpired, and you noticed. That is all. I can tell Forrest noticed also and is having a conversation about it with Interface.”
“Do you know what they are saying?”
“No. Reading minds without permission is rude. Being a god makes me aware of many things, however. Even you as a mortal, when your intelligence, wisdom, and perception triple, noticing that a silent conversation is occurring within an untrained mind will be trivial.”
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Dad replied to Orian, “If I may backtrack a bit. Einvigi informed us two weeks ago that you would be arriving about now. We did not know if you would be comfortable having a cottage in town or would prefer to live outside of it. So we quickly established a couple buildings here to give you options. One is an apartment with two units, and the other is this basic building that can serve as an administration center until we have more complete plans in place. We made the assumption that wraiths would not be needing baths or privies. Since we were expecting to show you the campus today, our artisans were given the day off. Oh, if you would prefer to live in town, we have reserved a cottage there.”
Orian laughed. “That’s quite an information dump in response to, ‘let’s go in and take a look.’” || humor, understanding, appreciation
“I suspect you are nervous, understandably so. We’ll be flexible; we had no expectations prior to arrival.” || reassurance
“Thus far we have been very impressed by our greeting, Cottages, and its people.” || all wonderful
And no, we need neither privies nor baths. The social aspects of the latter might be occasionally welcome, however.” || regain socialization with new people, anticipation
“While my husband figures out whether to be Mayor, host, or teen on his first date, let’s head inside.” Mom took the lead, Dad followed somewhat self-consciously, and the Skolturi followed them. Then the rest of us went in. I had not been inside any of the buildings, although I saw them from the road during various phases of construction
A big front window and a smaller window on each side wall lit the main room well. At the center of this meeting room was a large round table, surrounded by 15 high-quality chairs. The carpenters must have put the table together inside the room; there was no way it could have been brought in through the door or even the front window. The table and chairs were functional but not totally complete yet. Their wood had been stained to a darker color, emphasizing the grain, and they had an initial coat of lacquer. They did not yet have the glossy, hard, and smooth sheen one expects on high quality furniture. The workmanship so far was excellent. In two of the room’s corners were sets of three more chairs, facing the table. There was a door to either a hall or backroom, and an unfinished cabinet against the windowless wall.
Asiel stated that this would make an excellent meeting room, and asked about the back. Dad said that the door led to a short hall, with an office to each side. The hall led to a stairwell down to a small basement. “The offices and basement are currently empty, to be equipped as you desire. We made this room big enough for two Skolturi, the mortal co-administrator, six permanent teaching staff, and six more seats for flexibility. The six corner chairs are for overflow visitors.” Asiel acknowledged the forethought.
Orian asked to look at the apartments. Dad took the lead this time. As we walked he informed us that the apartments were identical, but mirrors of one another. “We don’t plan on basements in most of the housing. But we had heard that at least some Skolturi Wraiths prefer to live in caves or underground, which is why these ones have them.”
Orian stated, “Many of us do prefer living underground, true.” || cool, unchanging
“Surviving as long as we have, watching the sun cross the sky has lost any wonder. || again and again and again …
“It is perhaps too easy now to sit in thought for days on end.” || boredom, but sometimes satisfaction from introspection
Ferret commented, “I get bored to just sit and think. Find something shiny!”
Kossa laughed, “I totally agree, Ferret!”
Everyone had a quick laugh. Then Asiel continued the main conversation. “For Orian and I, new experiences are our assignment now, maybe our ‘shiny’.” || opportunity, challenge, expectation
“Imagine, not knowing what tomorrow brings, when for close to 2000 years, tomorrow has been almost like yesterday.” || slight exaggeration, but truth
Orian continued, “The opportunity for a new age is here. || for all
“Not for only the Skolturi, but for Covargh, Humans, and Trichyans.” || finally
Asiel added, “For the gods also, I believe. The losses of the past are no longer the present. || come out, the peoples will need you all
As we reached the door to the nearest apartment, Skawa said, just to me, “We know. We awaken.” Well, with that vehemence, it was probably also directed to other gods.
“Yes, it was. You hear more than words. Very good.”
The room we entered was bare. Dad informed them, “We had no idea what furnishings you might desire, but we can quickly equip the rooms with whatever you might need. The basements were left rustic, with rock walls and a packed, hardened dirt floor.”
Asiel answered the unasked question, “Curtains would be all I need for now. The basement will allow me to get away from the sun, and the curtains would allow privacy when I welcome the sun.” || care about having options. Wonderful!
“I agree with my friend. Just curtains is all I want here today.” || expectation
Dad said he would make arrangements when he gets back to town. Lenyet noted, “It is after 11. Normally our teens are undergoing apprenticeship at this time. Is there something that should keep them here instead?”
The Mayor looked to the Skolturi to answer. Asiel responded, “No, there is no need to further disrupt the town’s schedule.” || routine important
“Go, and we may stop by later.” || curiosity, expectation, youth!
Sun stated, "Here Ferret and I wait." || Enjoy your training. Ferret and I will wait with the Skolturi.
"Town we disrupt not." || We do not wish to disrupt those of the town.
Mom looked at Dad. “Mayor, I believe there is some immediate town business.”
“You are correct, Rhetta Silverstone.” He looked at our two newcomers. “Evening Sun and Ferret Drewson, do you desire to become citizens of the village of Cottages?
“Here we belong?” || Do you mean can live here, belong here?
“Really?” || Really?
Ferret pleaded with desperation, “Not be outcast no more? Yes! Say ‘yes’, Sun. I say yes!”
“Yes.” || Yes, truly. awe
The Mayor continued, “Welcome, citizens of Cottages.” They beamed. I had heard that expression before, but never gave it much thought. But if those smiles were unleashed on a moonless night, the darkness would evaporate. “Now, as young townsfolk, you will be expected to train regularly with your peers. Forrest, as the only leveled teen here, you will be responsible for teaching your new friends our ways. Your other friends share in that responsibility.”
“Yes, sir,” Forrest responded. “We will be happy to do so. Hey! I just analyzed them again. Ferret, neither you nor Sun are classified as ‘outcasts’ any more. You both are ‘students’.” Evaporate? More like be annihilated. I’m not sure, but I think Sun’s noses are smiling, too. At least the flared nostrils look like they could be smiles.
Skawa told me, “Bring everyone downstairs. Surprises.”
I said, “I’m curious about the basement. Mom, can you come down too, and cast Torch?” || anticipation
Dad heard my group thought was happy to show what had been accomplished. “Let’s all head down. Maybe it will be too rustic. I haven’t seen it yet myself.” Mom led. I could see that there was a room on each side of the entrance room. Bedroom, livingroom, kitchen, or however they might want to set it up. There was a door set in a wall with a window, so that was probably the stairway. It was, and by the time I started down it was already lit up.
“It’s my showtime, now,” Skawa told me. Then I felt an absence, and I knew he wasn’t with me any more.
Mom had cast Torch at the landing. A few seconds after she turned the corner at the landing, she asked, “What’s this? Barrie, didn’t you say the apartments were empty? There is something down here. I thought it was junk at first, but I don’t think so any more.”
We all curiously followed her all the way down. She had gotten out of the way to make room for the eleven of us to stand on the basement floor. The packed dirt might as well have been stone. Against the far wall I could see two piles of something – armor, maybe? We approached it for a better look, and Dad cast a torch above it. Armor, and a bit more.
Dad said, “I’m sure the builders could not have left this stuff here. There are two sets of leathers, one clearly for a Trichyan, some sort of club, a knife, and a metal flute. The flute and leather armor pieces are all enchanted. This is like -”
Just then we heard very loud footsteps coming down the stairs. The sound was reverberating far more than it should. The room was too small for echos and the volume was too great for even the heaviest, clumsiest person to make. Whatever it was was big enough to block the light from Mom’s torch as it reached the landing.
It made the turn, and I saw a moving stuffed doll, a Trichyan doll, no taller than my knee. I don’t know how something that small could be blocking the torch, but it was. It even cast a large shadow behind it, as if lit by the second torch. While it moved, its joints articulated just as would a mini-version of Sun. I had no words, just, || ??
Sun echoed the emotion, but with a touch of fear and doubt.
Asiel exclaimed, “Scamp!?” || here? now? doubt; joy, wonder
Orian declared, “It is Scamp! We haven’t seen you in 16 centuries. || amazement
“1637 years. The bipeds call me Skawa now.” || peace younglings
I heard Kossa whisper to Forrest, “Is Skawa a Trichyan?”
He whispered back, “Skawa is a god and can manifest however he/she/it/they like.” She nodded in acknowledgment.
Asiel asked, “Why did you change your name?” || Scamp was perfect.
“You Skolturi saw the best of me. Your honor and honest desire to improve others was seldom worth questioning.” || truth, respect
“The other races, less so. Before the curses, I was often petty, vicious at times. My pranks often had no lessons but were only to entertain myself.” || truth, self:disrespect
“When the world almost fell apart, I, like the other gods, did the same.” || pain
“I recovered more quickly than some, and chose to change, including my name.” || loss to gain
“With the Skolturi, I tried to pretend that nothing had changed.” || it had
“Your people went inward for a time. I let ‘Scamp’ fade into history, and Skawa became a new face of the gods.” || self:respect
“A new age for Heere dons.” || strive together
Ferret’s impatience broke the mood. “Good, good. What about shiny knife and flute?”
Skawa momentarily closed his eyes, and opened them with a smile. He shut off god voice as had Einvigi weeks ago, but adopted one that belonged perfectly to a child’s beeloved stuffed doll. “Ferret, you are correct. Important things first. All the items were gathered from various dungeons, and cleaned up. I enchanted the armor. || fun searching
The shiny knife is yours, Ferret. I know the flute is shiny too, but that is a special gift for Kossa.” || understand, youngling
“I no play flute anyway. If Kossa play flute, it hers, yes.”
Skawa continued, “The tip-weighted truncheon is a new weapon for Sun. Long Trichyan arms can handle a lighter club weapon well and provide it with great momentum.” || Sun:like
“Skawa I thank. Truncheon new.” || Thank you Skawa. I have never used a truncheon before, but I look forward to learning it.
“Finally, the dungeons provided sets of light armor for both Ferret and Sun. I enchanted the armor to match the charms on Forrest’s. Arrjee has a similar set.” || unplanned but now part of plan
“Note younglings, you are enrolling months before the school is open. || welcome, assurance
“The gifts you have all received will help you be ready to be guides and examples to the new students as the school officially opens. || likely necessary
“While Onre and Kossa did not receive sets of armor, I believe they will find his boots and her flute to more than compensate.” || much more
“Can we put the armor on now?” asked Ferret.
“Yes,” Skawa replied, “if you are to go train with your friends, equip yourselves.” || happy at your anticipation
“Armor Trichyan experienced adventurers only. || Only really experienced Trichyan adventurers have armor. Rare for youngling like me. Thank you!
That would have been hard to understand outside of group mind, and I explained Sun’s full thought
Within two seconds, Sun had dropped his kilt. It took Ferret over ten to remove his random layers. Sun noticed that almost all the mortal eyes were staring at his body.
“Curious you are.” || Of course you would be curious about my body.
“Forrest, explain. I pose. || Forrest, please explain while I pose.
Arrjee, him correct. || Arrjee, if he misunderstood something, I’ll silently tell you, and you can correct him.
What followed was an unexpectedly detailed explanation of Trichyan anatomy and sexual functionality. Sun obviously explained this to Forrest while I was in town. I only had to clarify one point. Forrest had not understood that Trichyans have a “default sex”. At birth their primary face is in the direction of one of their fronts, and whatever equipment is at that front defines their default sex. I still didn’t know what difference the default sex made, but I understood what set it. I didn’t interrupt Sun for clarification because I wanted to start apprenticeship training.
I think everyone was too boggled to ask questions, and there being none, Sun and Ferret outfitted themselves. Kossa got her flute. Forrest told us what his analysis was.
Silver flute – a delicately timbred instrument designed to be heard through the din. Exceptional quality, no wear. Enchantments:
* Somnolence (enemies)
* Reverse Somnolence (allies)
* Self-repair
Forrest further explained, “Somnolence means it will make foes drowsy. Reverse somnolence means that in equal measure to its negative effect on foes, it will make allies more alert. If there are no foes, your allies will not be buffed.”
Master Birch shared more information from his higher ranked Analyze. “The enchantment does not interfere with bard skills, plus it is even active at Level 0. However the power of its effect is dependent on the level and skill of the musician versus the resistance of their foes. The self-repair enchantment is the same regardless of your level, however.”
Kossa couldn’t help herself, hugged Forrest, and went to the Skawa doll and hugged it. “This is more than I could ever imagine. Thank you so much!”
“You are welcome, Kossa Smithson. Know however that I neither crafted nor enchanted the flute; I merely cleaned it up. Einvigi found it abandoned deep in a dungeon within the Second Duchy. As you play it, thank those who created it and the one who was overcome within the dungeon.” || talent, loss