Part 3: Phase Two
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[Omniscient Point of View, Tenthday, 16 Fifthmonth 726 KE]
The medicine woman arrived at the gate at 8, proudly and without hesitation. She knew what she needed to do, and she knew the risk. Her bandit chief had been hesitant to let her go, but they both knew he could not stop her.
The guard atop the gate saw the middle-aged hybrid woman and hailed her. “Halt, Visitor. You will likely be welcome here, but I need to know your business.
She had already decided to be perfectly candid; deceit would only make her task more difficult. “My name is Mowd Dressen; I seek information about my foster son, Corval Hirsut. He and I were among the bandits who had thought ourselves capable of stealing the Formless Abider.”
“Your son is well. He was tried for assault and attempted theft, and now serves both the town and the school for a period of one year. The light sentence was due to his honorable act of protecting my life from a bandit named Dheck. I am Guardsman Drahm Frahm. If you helped teach him that honor, I am in your debt. Even so, under the circumstances, I must ensure you have an escort. Oh, here the escort comes now. I am going to have to give him a little work, even if it is his day off.”
She heard running footsteps behind her, and “Mowd!” shouted in the voice she knew so well. “Thank you for coming. I missed you so much!” He managed to speak those words in between tears while giving her a tight hug.
“I am so glad you are well, and here,” she replied within her own tears. “Not that I care about the bastard, but what of Dheck?”
“He is dead. I killed him with help from both Drahm and you. I had incapacitated Drahm with a packet of unconsciousness. Dheck then cut off his lower arm for no reason, and was going to do worse as he collapsed. But you had supplied me with that pepper dust, which I released in Dheck’s face. Nevertheless, he almost killed me, but Drahm tripped him before completely succumbing to unconsciousness, and I managed to kill Dheck instead. I was mortally wounded in the scuffle, though As you can see, we were both completely healed.”
She asked, “Did you know he had stolen that enchanted knife of his? He took it from an associate in the Marsel Maloney Mob. The previous owner and a friend of his came to our camp to retrieve the knife. Apparently they had all been associates in another mob in the First Duchy. I don’t think any of the three bastards had any decency or common sense. Those two assholes thought they could boss us around and demand the knife back. They wouldn’t accept that we didn’t have it, even though Dheck wasn’t even at our camp. I think all they really wanted to do was cause mayhem. They did. They lost. They’re dead, but not as dead as they were stupid. Neither was Level 30 yet, and they thought they could walk right into our camp and act as if they owned the place.”
“He mentioned those two to me, but didn’t tell me he stole the knife. Drahm has it now.” Drahm held it up to illustrate that fact. Did they tell you the name of their old gang? It is even stupider than they were, ‘The Grease’.” She laughed at that.
“Young Corval,” asked the guardsman, “would you escort Mowd to the Skolturi? I am sure Asiel would like to interview her. I trust you, and her by extension, but she is an admitted bandit.”
Worried, Corval asked, “Will they try her?”
“I don’t think they would. The bandits were asked to leave, and they left. In light of your relationship, unless she reveals some hidden devious motive, I believe they will approve of her entry into Cottages.”
“Okay, Drahm. Mowd, from what I hear I’m sure they scared the crap out of you. But Asiel and Orian are really good people.” As he led her to the campus, he explained that Asiel was a Justicar and would very likely be using the Revelation skill on her. No one was in the administration building any more, but they found the Skolturi in their apartment. Corval made introductions, but they had already recognized her name via Analyze, as she had theirs. “Asiel, I told Mowd about your Revelation skill.”
Asiel replied with a smile, “Well then, I have to use it, don’t I? Mowd Dressen, do you have any hidden motives which would prove detrimental to the village, the school, or to Corval?” || reveal
Her eyes momentarily grew wide. “What a rush! I wish I could bottle this. … No, I intend no harm to the school or village or anyone in them. I will be respectful and follow your laws and rules. I will make no further attempt to steal the Formless Abider or assist anyone else in doing so. While I had hoped I could find Corval and bring him safely away with me, I understand he is a convict, serving a sentence. I will not interfere with it. In fact, I believe his situation has much improved over what it had been among our bandits.”
“That is sufficient,” stated Asiel. “Do you have any questions for us?”
“If I so desire, will I be allowed to remain in Cottages?” That possibility made Corval smile.
Orian answered, “That is not our decision to make. I have noticed that Cottages has been very open to newcomers, however. Corval, perhaps you could have Mowd meet the Mayor and find out for sure. Let him know we have spoken with her and have no objection to her residing here.”
“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. You are certainly far different people than we thought we had encountered a few days ago.”
“Sometimes it is useful to make a strong first impression,” Asiel replied. “I find it hard to believe there will be another attempt at stealing the Abider.”
“Not from our bandit groups, that is for sure. And word of your protection is being heard far and wide.”
Asiel and Orian just smiled. Corval could only try to imagine what would make over 100 bandits flee bloodlessly, but he was glad he had not experienced it. “Mowd, I’ll take you into town to find the Mayor. Since it’s Tenthday, we’ll check his home first.”
As they were walking toward town, she wondered why he had been on campus this morning. Was he living there? “No, I live in town in a cottage with a group of pre-accepted students. They call themselves the ‘gang’, and I am an honorary member. I was here to verify if it would be okay tomorrow morning to greet a gang member who has been away for a few days. They said it would be okay, and we expect to meet him outside this apartment at 5. He is one of the Mayor’s sons.”
They waved to Guardsman Frahm as they passed through the gate, and headed to the Mayor’s house. She remarked that so far she had been pleased and surprised at how well people were treating her. “Mowd, you have just barely begun to see it. This place is different. You know how people generally distrust each other, but sort of decide to live with each other anyway? It’s not like that here. Everyone likes everyone else, trusts them, respects them. This is probably the creepiest place I have ever been, but I don’t want to be anyplace else.”
“That would be very nice, but I cannot imagine how it could be real. Your eyes are not yet very experienced. Even among my nomad tribe, we just generally got along because we had to. There were a few worth liking and respecting, but for the most part it was mutual tolerance.”
“Tell me what you think at the end of the day,” requested Corval with a grin.
Mowd was impressed by the eagle statue out front, and Corval informed her with another grin that it was named Eager Beaver. Rhetta Silverstone answered the door and let them in when they asked to speak to the Mayor. She called him to the den and exchanged a few pleasantries as they waited for him to come down.
When he, Arrjee, Carrie, and Rina arrived, Corval made introductions. Barrie Silverstone then stated, “I am surprised and pleased to meet you, Mowd Dressen. Corval has shared that you have been bringing him up. Thank you for your part in rearing an honorable son. Let us all be seated.”
Rina whispered to Carrie, “Who is she?” She told her it was Corval’s Mom. “A bandit?”
Mowd had heard. “Former bandit. One reason I am here is to request permission to settle in Cottages and be your neighbor.” Rina had not expected to be overheard. She was a little embarrassed but managed to say that she would like that.
Corval explained that they had spoken with Asiel and Orian, and they had no objection to Mowd living here. Barrie asked her, “What would you like to do here?”
The question stumped her for several seconds. She had not expected to want to live here, and now that she was directly asked about it, it almost panicked her. She didn’t know why; her temperament was almost always at an even keel. “Um,” she began, “let me think. Well, Corval is here. I could continue mentoring him in alchemy and maybe establish a small alchemy and blessing shop.”
Rhetta stated, “You will probably want to speak to my mother, who is currently the village’s alchemist. She will not view you as a competitor but very likely as an ally. You two have much in common.” Mowd didn’t know what it would be besides alchemy.
Corval spoke with reticence, embarrassed, “Mowd, Rhonda Silverstone, Rhetta’s mother, is my Alchemy Master. Before I saw you at the gate I had been headed to her shop to meet with her son Onre and hunt for reagents and things. He is another one of the gang. I had no idea you would be coming back here. I’m so sorry!”
“Sorry for what, son? Bettering yourself? If that’s the worst you can do, you’re going to have to try a lot harder to disappoint me. Rhetta is correct; I have a lot in common with Rhonda Silverstone and am anxious to meet her. She may be your Master, but I’m still your mother and I may know a thing or two I can teach both of you.”
Barrie smiled, “I hope I’m there the first time that happens. Rhonda loves to learn new things. I bet you’ll both be teaching each other, as well as your young wolf.”
“I love to learn new things as well, but have gotten out of the habit. I look forward to it.”
“I’m low on deodorant,” stated Arrjee unexpectedly. Do you mind if I accompany you when you head over to her shop?” Corval said that it would be fine.
“Deodorant?” asked Mowd. “Something that removes odors?” Arrjee explained that it was for personal hygiene and sort of the opposite of a perfume. Additionally to deodorizing a person, there was a minor cleanliness enchantment that somehow allowed it to work with fur without needing to be rinsed off.
Mowd was still puzzled, “Does she do that with alchemy?”
“No,” answered Arrjee. ‘Grandma is an alchemist and perfumer. The deodorant comes from her Perfumer class. But she has been able to blend her two classes to make things few others can.”
“I definitely have some things to learn! Rhetta Silverstone, Barrie Silverstone, I have enjoyed meeting with you and your family. I should not delay Corval’s errands any longer.” She, Corval, and Arjee stood. The Silverstones said to use their first names in the future, as did Mowd.
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The walk to the alchemy shop was short. The sign on the door said ‘CLOSED’, but it was unlocked and Arrjee led them right in. Rhonda was not downstairs, so they went up and found her and her son in her den. The two mature alchemist’s analyzed each other immediately, before words were spoken. Mowd also analyzed Onre, and Rhonda compared Mowd’s report with Corval’s.
*** {Rhonda’s analysis at Rank B} ***
Mowd Dressen – female Hybrid, age 45, 11 stones
Level 33 [Alchemist], [Witch], 6411 XP worth
Medicine Woman, [Learned Skills], 73 defeated
Corval Hirsut – male Covargh, age 16, 14 stones
Level 8 [Alchemist], [Rogue], 2005 XP worth
Convict, [Learned Skills], 49 defeated
*** {Mowd’s analysis at Rank C} ***
Rhonda Silverstone – female Hybrid, age 67, 10 stones
Level 42 Alchemist, Perfumer, 9528 XP worth
Shopkeeper, [Learned Skills], 114 defeated
Onre Litmen – male Human, age 14, 13 stones
Level 0 Alchemist’s Assistant, 1085 XP worth
[Learned Skills], 37 defeated
{Mowd can only open the list of learned skills, whereas Rhonda can open the lists for all skills, including their ranks. She can also get a racial breakdown, such as ‘11/16 Human, 5/16 Covargh’ for Mowd.}1
It is considered rude to begin using someone’s name without an introduction, so Arjee made them “Gramma, this is Mowd Dressen, Corval’s foster mother. Mowd, this is my grandmother Rhonda Silverstone and her recently adopted son, Onre Litman.” Everyone immediately agreed to speak on a first-name basis.
Rhonda began the conversation, “Mowd, I am very happy to meet you. Corval has told me how influential you have been in his life, and I have observed that you have taught him very well. Has he informed you that I have become his alchemy master?”
“Yes, and I thank you for assuming that role; I have no intention of usurping it. I have decided to make Cottages my home, and I hope we can all learn from each other. For example, Arrjee has mentioned that you can make an enchanted deodorant. I would be very interested to learn how you do that.”
“That is one of my best sellers among townsfolk,” Rhonda informed. “Making the deodorant itself is something anyone can do, but I enchant it with a cleansing skill from my Perfumer class. Perhaps your Witch class includes a skill which could bless deodorant in an equally useful and low-cost manner. Would you be interested in learning Basic Perfumery? So few people know it outside of larger cities.”
Mowd replied, “Yes, I would very much like to learn it. In return, I would be very happy to teach you any of my learned skills. As far as a blessing to apply to deodorant, perhaps I could apply Glamour, increasing the user’s charisma a few points for a few hours.”
Arrmee shared his thought, “You two could even sell a higher end deodorant which de-stinks, cleanses, and glamours, right?” Everyone glanced at him for a moment thoughtfully, then Rhonda and Mowd smiled at each other in unspoken agreement.
“I think that is a great idea, too,” stated Onre. Let me say if Mom wants Corval and me to go gather reagents and other materials, we should go soon. The gang will be meeting at 12 for an unofficial training session. Kossa asked me to let Corval know he is welcome to attend if he so desires.”
“Alright, son.” She gave them a list of materials she needed. Mowd asked them to double up on the reagents if they could; she needed to start building her own stock. Onre and Corval headed for the woods. Arrjee laid down six bronze and told Rhonda he would be taking two deodorants on his way out.
“Hold up, Arrjee,” requested Mowd. “Why don’t you bring the two jars up here, and I will make sure that glamouring the already-enchanted deodorant works as we hope.” He went down to the shop and brought up two jars. Mowd opened one of the jars and glamoured its contents. Arrjee applied some of the cream to both of his underarms. He let them know his charisma had risen by three. Mowd told him, “That was what I expected. Even though you applied it twice, your charisma would only go up by the initial three. At my rank, this blessing should last for five hours.”
“How long will the cream itself stay blessed?” Rhonda asked.
Mowd replied, “As a blessed item, it will last as long as the cream does. The timer doesn’t start until someone accesses the blessing, and then only on that portion of cream removed from the jar and applied to their body.” Rhonda said happily that was ideal. After Mowd glamoured Arrjee’s second jar, he asked how much, and she told him that it was his idea. This time around it was free.
He held back a moment in curious expectation. Rhonda caught it. “No, wolf, you have gotten enough free merchandise over the years to practically bankrupt me. I’m keeping the six bronze. Be off with you!” He grinned and headed back home. Rhonda took two bronze and gave them to Mowd. “To a prosperous relationship.” The younger alchemist nodded in acceptance of their new partnership.
The two women had a long conversation lasting until Onre and Corval returned. They had found everything Rhonda had asked for except for the hogswart fungus. Rhonda let them know that the three alchemists would be sharing supplies for the time being. And since Onre was living with the ‘gang’, Mowd would be moving into his room. That was no problem in practice for him, but he did feel a slight sense of loss. He could use the almost-empty pantry to store any of the stuff that remained in his room. It did not take him long to move his few belongings. He asked Rhonda if she could watch Skawa for him, which she was happy to do. He handed it to her, and she moved the stuffed toy to her room. He and Corval headed to training.
Rhonda showed Mowd her new room. She hadn’t shown it earlier because the door had been shut, and she did not want to invade Onre’s privacy. Mowd had traveled light; her skills made it particularly easy for her to live off the land. She left her purse and travel bag in the room.
They shared stories about Onre and Corval. When Rhonda realized that Mowd had no official relationship with Corval, she asked, “Would you like to adopt him? I have not regretted adopting Onre for one minute.”
“I would be happy to adopt! As bandits, doing things in such an official manner was not really an option. What do I need to do?”
“How about we go watch the gang train, and on our way we can stop by the town square and pick up the forms. Both you and Corval will have one to fill out. File them with the Mayor, and you two will be recognized as Mother and Son throughout the kingdom.”
That is how they spent their afternoon. They spent quite a few minutes at the town square allowing Mowd to meet quite a few of the townsfolk. Later in the evening, in a brief moment when they were alone, Mowd confessed to Corval, “You were correct, son. I do not wish to live anyplace else, either. The amount of routine mutual respect here is beyond anything I could have imagined.”
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[Forrest’s Point of View, 17 Fifthmonth]
Coming out of the void, the basement was dark and quiet. I turned on Dark Sight. No one was there. I went upstairs to find Asiel and Orian playing cards. We all wished each other good morning, and they asked how my absence period was. I told them that I called it a ‘sixdays’, one word, and let them know what I did.
“How have things been here?” I asked. They let me know that Unbroken Stone had indeed built the cavern with two entrance caves and three chimneys. The chimneys all have chimney crowns built, which can be seen from ground level. The barracks for the guard is not erected yet, but the basement was built connecting to a cave leading to the Formless Abider’s cavern. “Cool. I plan to check out the cavern and additions to campus around lunch time. Later in the evening, I will probably train with Abbie. Right now, is there something going on? If not, I would like to meditate a while longer.”
Orian said, “Some of your friends are going to meet you here around 5. Go ahead and meditate; we will not disturb you.”
The rest of the morning went pretty much as I had planned. When Dorra Marson and I spoke during the first recess, we planned on me giving a half-hour Introduction to First Aid lesson next Tuesday. She is a great teacher, managing students from ages 5 to 14. Onre was working at the shop, but otherwise our whole gang was sitting together, plus Carrie and Rina. Honorary gang member Corval was probably working. Dorra keeps the students' interest, and they like being there. So did I.
Ferret had become an outgoing student, and his speech is near normal now. Not perfect, but not really sounding uneducated, either. Sun actively contributed, sometimes with Arrjee clarifying what he said. Odd was fairly reserved through letters and numbers, but was actively interested during world. Living up to his name, he had some odd questions. “Are you sure there are royals? They used to stink up everywhere in Erus’ world, and yet there are none to be seen here.” The younger kids giggled at that, and I was pretty sure he was playing to the crowd. Dorra used that as a segue to introduce the topic of societal distinctions. She even had Odd explain Erus’ Fairy society to the class, and Arrjee and I gave overviews of our previous societies. Similarly, Sun and Ferret quickly described what their societies were like on the Trichyan continent. The youngest kids, who Jacques would have considered kindergarteners, took a nap during that discussion.
After our grades, Onre let me know that next Tuesday he expects to be Level 3. Sun said he would be Level 3 the Tuesday after that. I appreciated that they were all willing to talk in terms of ‘Tuesdays’ instead of ‘weeks. That will just leave Kossa, Arrjee, and Ferret to level in the following weeks before the adventuring school starts up. We’ll have almost two months of all of us being leveled before that happens.
I told everyone I would like to visit the campus and see what has changed in the past several days, and that I was particularly interested in checking out the Abider’s new cavern. The whole gang was interested in seeing it through my eyes, so we headed over there, with almost 40 minutes until our apprenticeship began at Dorra’s school.
We headed over. Two of the large tents remained for the guardsmen. They could probably all share one, but I am sure they had a lot of stuff with them. I did not see any of the guardsmen I knew, but the ones we did see were friendly, and we exchanged greetings.
From the center of campus, three of what I assumed were chimney crowns were visible. I could see that the builders had started a second set of apartments. Most of its walls were up. The Skolturi lived in a duplex, but the new one looked like it would encompass four units. After a quick look at that, they pointed me to a partially completed floor that was about as large as the in-progress apartment building. Arrjee said that would be the permanent quarters for the guard.
As we were inspecting it, Harron Ronvaldt and Ator Robins came up from the basement. They had just done their own short tour of the cavern, beginning from the main entrance below the administration building. They had been discussing furnishings and equipment which would suit that particular training room. They were both curious what I would think, so the whole group of us went down. The torches they used were still active, so I could see the walls of the cave without my Dark Sight. I activated it anyway; the more I use it, the quicker it will rank.
Partially through the cave, we came to one of the guardsmen who I had not met before.
Sanda Zeldeki – female human, age 27
Level 29 Spearmaster, Wallmaster
Guardsman
She was not very talkative. After the briefest of introductions, we moved on. It was the first time I had seen someone besides Master Trillet who was a Wallmaster, though.
Extended range and the ability to put up barriers must work great together.
Yes.
The walls and floors of the cave had the smooth texture and dense feel of glazed, baked ceramic. Ator said it was extremely dense, probably three times that of the stone which had preceded it. It would be even denser in the cavern.
Wow. Earth Elementals are really awesome tunnelers.
Yes. Did you think otherwise?
“Well, no, I didn’t really think much about it at all, other than he could do it.”
The cavern was yet unadorned. I dragged my fingers along the wall as we transitioned from the cave to the cavern proper. I can’t describe how, but the cavern wall felt even more solid. “It is hard to imagine this place ever collapsing. Somehow it feels like it is as solid as Heere itself.” The other gang members agreed with my assessment. Odd was able to confirm its extremely robust nature.
Nirran Ograth was stationed in the cavern, standing near where we had come out. We spoke to him for a minute, and we all waved at his wife Wern 25 yards away near the other cavern entrance. Abbie and its log were located near a wall about halfway between both entrances. It was far enough from the wall for people to stand on all sides. If not for its green-brown color, Abbie looked like small waves on a lake. On a log. I went up to her to pat her and say hi. As I did, it formed a pseudopod and patted me back.
This shocked Harron. “Abbie never responds to routine contact! It, it, only abides until it is attacked. Forrest, did you do anything?””
“I just patted it in greeting. Let me try something. Activate your Life Forces skill and let me know when you are ready. I’m not sure Bless Blood will do anything since Abbie doesn’t seem to have blood, but I want to try to give it some pulses. Most beings receive ki like you felt last Tuesday.” He said he was ready. I tried – and nothing. I was watching my ki, and my attempt at Bless Blood just did not happen. “It did not work.”
Onre wondered if it would be okay if they attacked it a little so I could use Heal Other. Harron said to go ahead. After about 10 seconds of attacks by the other six members of the gang I said that was enough. Although it hadn’t been damaged by 10%, it had been damaged. I then began healing the spots where my friends had attacked it. Soon the pseudopod was petting the top of my hand instead of patting it. I spent about 30 seconds healing, half the time moving my hand to different spots where they had attacked. “I think I’ve got it all, and I’m sure Abbie enjoys Heal Other.”
“I should say so,” stated Harron. “It has a very noticeable amount of ki now. Do you know how much you shared with Abbie?”
“Heal Other was active for about 15 seconds total. That was 150 of my ki – 90 went to healing, 30 dissipated to the aether, and Abbie probably got the other 30 that wasn’t used in the heals. I think the gang probably damaged her – I’m going to call her ‘her’ now – more than that. Harron, would you make sure she is completely healed?” He stepped forward and activated his heal aura for several seconds.
“At Level 7 I will very likely accept a skill called Share Health that will let me do a full body heal, trading my health for my patient’s. For now all I can use is my limited area Heal Other skill.”
Onre mentioned he planned on doing the same thing. He continued, “At F it will be very inefficient, with us trading 100 of our health for 40 for the patient. It will get more efficient as it ranks, though. Almost all the cost will be our HP, with it costing what in ki, 1 ki per minute?” Interface verified that was correct, and I let them know, adding that our HP would be lost at a rate of 25 HP per minute. Onre’s example would be four minutes of use.
Harron was very interested in hearing about Share Health. Clerics and other healers he knew of had no such skill. He, Onre, and I had a little conversation about healing in general. I soon realized that Ferret and Kossa seemed bored and maybe impatient. They were polite and didn’t say anything, but I decided we were being rude. I suggested we head out through the other cave and head toward our apprenticeship training.
On our way out we spoke for a moment with Wern, and then with Brolly Roughson stationed along the cave we were using to exit. We went upstairs to the main room of the administration building, where Dad, Asiel, and Orian were speaking. We all greeted each other. Finally our gang headed to the school in town, leaving all the adults to continue speaking.
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1 I chose to include the various analyses to show that as one’s skill rank increases, the amount of available information grows. This was hinted at back in chapter 15, but now it seemed a good time to show what those see who are more advanced than Forrest. For those who do not know, a ‘stone’ is a unit of mass equivalent to 6.3 kilograms or exactly 14 pounds.