Year 41

*Aubern. The gnomish capital The city rests in the center of miles of wheat. From the sky, the city's shape looks like a massive cupcake. The roofs of the buildings go from dark brown in the east to bright yellow in the west. Emma talks to an adult male gnome about a missing child, the party has agreed to look for.*

Gnome: I heard in the oven district, that they just got a new slave helper at the Kit and Cats bakery.

Emma: Thank you.

*Emma turns and starts walking through the town, She can jump and almost see over some of the smaller, one-floor buildings.*

Emma(TL): That’s the third person to bring that up today. Let’s go check it out.

Lily: Shouldn’t we get the boys?

Emma(TL): *Irritated* Why?

Lily: Levi said you should just stick to questioning.

Emma(TL): My period doesn’t make me that cranky. I haven’t yelled at anyone, aside from Levi this morning. Not even that pervy guy who kept trying to hold my hand while we asked him some questions.

*Emma shivers and a couple of gnomes give a judgemental side eye as they walk by. Emma stops for a moment*

Lily: *Irritated* You’re lost aren’t you?

Emma(TL): Absolutely!*Smiles*

*Emma walks until she finds a stall run by a buff-looking male gnome.*

Emma: Excuse me. I’m lost, which way would lead me to Kit and Cats?

*The gnome reaches out their hand and Emma places a couple of copper coins in his hand.*

Gnome:*points down the road* Go that way until the roofs turn closer to brown. You’ll want to turn at the fork and go left. You won’t miss it.

*Emma waves to the gnome as she heads off.*

*Emma arrives at the bakery, eyeing a large sign depicting two gnomes wearing cat ears. She raises an eyebrow in confusion but steps inside. A gnome with fake cat ears jumps out to greet her, speaking in a high-pitched, cheerful tone.*

Cat: *Smiles* Hai, nyan~! i’m cyat. How cyan i hewp nyu tyoday?

Emma: *Concerned* Hi, my name is Emma. I’m looking at different bakeries, trying to see how the inner workings are. I heard that it gets a little slower at this time and thought it might be a good time to ask about a tour maybe?

Cat: wight nyow, nya?

*Cat looks at another gnome behind the counter, they rest their head in their hands with their elbows on the counter.. *

Cat: Izh it okyay kyit, nya? it izh pwetty swow tyoday awweady.

*Kit nods as they upright themselves.*

Kit: I’ll call if it gets busy.

*As Emma walks into the back of the bakery, she has to crouch slightly. They look out over a bunch of mixers and a couple of gnomes stand above, cranking a lever to move the mixer and mix the ingredients.*

Emma: How many employees do you have?

Cat: Kyit wouwd be da wun tyo ask. I hewp wif cyushtomah service an bakying. Washt i heawd we had bifteen dough.

*Emma’s eyes twitch as she holds back commenting on Cat’s personality.*

Emma: And do you hire slaves, a mix or?

Cat: We hiwe swavez who cyan wowk fow theiw fweedyom an shometimes they shtay tyo keep wowkying after.

*A bell rings.*

Emma: What’s that?

Cat: It’s tyo wet us knyow a cyushtomah izh in da fwont. Kyit wiww wing it if they need hewp.

*Cat calls over a male gnome in an apron.*

Cat: Cyan nyu hewp keep hah cyompany fow a moment, nya? jyusht anshwah any queshtionsh nyu cyan.

Gnome: Sure no problemo.

Cat: Danksh, nyan~!*Turns to Emma.* I’ww be wight back i pwomise, Jef hewe wiww be abwe tyo tayke nyu tyo da “shaunya”

*Cat waves as they run back to help Kit.*

Jef: Follow me. *Waves for Emma to follow.* So what brings you here?

Emma: Just research on how bakeries work.

Jef:*Smiles* Well this next room isn’t what it sounds like.

*As Jef opens the doors to a large long room, The heat from the room washes over them and Jef looks up at Emma.*

Jef: Welcome to the Sauna. This is where we put the slaves. It’s not the best but it gives them a safer job them most other places.

*Emma looks around as young gnomes run around the room with different trays of made bread and bread heading to the ovens. She looks for the child until Cat returns.*

Cat: Emma, we cyouwd’b waited fow nyu fwiends. *Laughs*

*Emma turns to see Ruddy with his arms crossed as he taps his foot.*

Emma: Friends? Where is Levi?

Cat: Nyur fwuffy fwiend, nya? he izh tawkying tyo kit.

Ruddy: Emma. Why didn’t you wait?

Emma: Because I didn’t know where you two were.

*Emma spots the child from the missing poster and turns towards Cat.*

Emma: Cat.

*Cat turns to Emma.*

Cat: Nya~?

Emma: What’s your policy on slaves? Do you know their backstories or anything?

Cat: We try tyo get dem tyo tawk bwut it’s up tyo dem. Nyu’we wewcyome tyo shpeak tyo dem.

Emma: Can we speak to *Points at an older gnome.* That one? And.*Points at the missing child* that one?

Cat: Kip izh wun owf da gnyomes who shtayed aftah eawnying theiw fweedyom, ash fow da owfah wun. He’s new an pwobably won’t tawk.

Cat: Jef, get dem an they bwing dem befowe Wuddy and Emma.

*Ruddy talks to Kip while Emma sits on the floor and talks to the child.*

Cat: Da fwoows awe weawly diwty. I wouwdn’t wan tyo.

Emma:*Stern* I’m fine thank you.

*Cat stiffens up and Emma turns towards the child again.*

Emma: *Smiles* Hi there.

*The child holds back tears, refusing to make eye contact with Emma. Emma turns to Cat and looks at her soul. It’s white.*

Emma: I'm sorry I snapped at you. Could we give Max some candy?

Cat: Max?

*Max, the child, looks up at Emma. his mouth is left open as he tries to speak.*

Emma: Sorry for lying but I didn’t know if I could trust you at first. Max here is a missing child we’ve been looking for.

*Cat drops character upon hearing Emma.*

Cat: Another one?*Sigh* I’ll go get Kit. This didn’t start happening until recently.

*The party sits down in an office with Kit and Cat, both without the fake ears... Max eats on some bread next to Emma, his collar removed.*

Emma: You don’t need to explain. It happens.

*Ruddy puts his elbow on his knee as he thinks to himself.*

Ruddy: Still. Who’s behind these kidnappings?

Kit: It happens. But since the Kyl incident the moment we report this it’ll get cleaned up in a week or so.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Cat: The only issue is a new kidnapper shows up a few months later.

Ruddy: The downside to living in large cities. But! *starts to stand.* At least Max here can get back home safely. Are you sure it’s okay for us to just take him? We can pay you back so it’s not a total loss.

Kit: I’m just happy he gets to go home. And didn’t end up somewhere bad.

Cat: I mean the Sauna isn’t the best.

Kit: Yeah, but it’s better than most of the noble houses. Too bad that elf from before can’t come back.

Ruddy: What elf?

Cat: This Elf and her party years ago helped reduce slavery in Glimmerfell significantly. No one remembers the party's name or hers.

Emma: Wait. did this elf fight in the Kyl tournament?

Kit: Yeah! That elf! Do you know her?

Emma: Kinda. She would probably be me.

Kit & Cat: Really?! We heard they found you in Valoria.

Emma: How’d you hear that? The only person who knew I went that way was.

*Ruddy clears his throat and looks down at Max.*

Cat: An elf named Petunia passed through here with some half-elf boy.

Emma: Petunia?! Is she still around? And the boy, would his name happen to be Jacob?

Cat: They passed through looking for a family member they said. I don’t remember anything else though. I didn't hear his name.

Emma: As long as they’re still fine. I didn’t interact with Jacob all that much but I’m sure Petunia is raising him well.

Kit: He seemed very excited, and said something about making a bow for his stepmom.

Emma thinking: Petunia sent me a letter, but I've been so busy I almost forgot.

*Emma smiles and the party takes Max back to his house.*

*That night the party sits down to celebrate.*

Emma: So are you still not going to talk anymore?

Levi: You said you didn’t want to hear what I had to say.

Emma:*Angry* Because you said I was being a bitch!

Levi:*Angry* I said good morning and you told me to shut up!

Ruddy:*Laughs* Okay you two. We’re supposed to be celebrating. We got to Aubern early, thanks to the guild since we took down the Wyvern.

Emma: Yeah teleports are so expensive. But, I kinda wish we had taken the money.

Levi: Because you don’t age.

Ruddy: Let’s not fight, please.

Emma: *Concerned* I don’t want to take a boat.

Ruddy: That’s right you and boats don’t get along. *Pause*Well we still have some time before then though.

Emma: Why didn’t we teleport to Mithrun?

Ruddy: We’ve been over this. Mithrun doesn’t have any teleportals yet.

Emma: *Discouraged* And even if they did now, it would cost too much for the whole party.

Levi: From what everyone’s told me, you quickly turn loopy and fall asleep. So why is taking a boat an issue? That doesn't sound that bad.

Emma: I don’t know. I never remember afterward.

Ruddy: one of us will have to babysit her.

*Ruddy pauses then makes a face of realization, he turns to Emma.*

Ruddy: Are you going to be okay without Ariella? According to her, you don’t want anyone but her.

*Emma shrugs*

Emma: How would I know?

Ruddy: Maybe we can take a boat on a lake to see how you handle it.

Emma: It’s worse on the open sea. Rivers and lakes don’t seem to phase me as much. I wonder if it’s the waves.

Levi: The golden rapids!

*Emma makes a face of disgust.*

Emma: Golden?

Ruddy: Rapids?

Levi: yeah. If it’s waves then rapids should have an effect. Why not take a trip down the rapids? That should help simulate it and help us reach Mithrun much faster.

Emma: I’ve never seen you so excited. What gives?

*Levi straightens himself and stands upright.*

Levi: *Embarrassed* Nothing, I just thought they would help… *Mumbles* and be fun.

Ruddy: I’m all for moving faster but rushing a pilgrimage too much is seen as a bad thing. The trip to mithrun is said to only be a week. I'm sure you can manage that, but just in case maybe we should do a couple of test runs with a raft or something on the beach.

Emma: And I'm not sure how I feel about a place called "Golden" Rapids. *Turns to Ruddy.* Can you make up your mind though Ruddy? Every other day it seems you want to go faster than slower. It's confusing.

Ruddy: *Sigh* An example. I don't mind jogging but sprinting seems disrespectful.

Emma and Levi: *Nods* That makes sense.

Emma: But you were okay with a teleport?

Ruddy: That! Was me thinking about going home faster... But. That's why for the rest of the trip I'd like to avoid going too quickly.

Levi: Sounds good to me.

—-------------------------------------------

*As the trio travels along a lake, Emma spots a colorful explosion further down the shore.*

Emma: Did either of you two see that?

Levi: I’m watching the road, of course I didn’t see it.

*BOOM* Everyone turns to see A firework go off on the ground. Levi stops the cart and attempts to calm the Fluffmanes while Emma and Ruddy run over to investigate. As they get closer they spot a Male Gnome yelling at a male Demon.*

Gnome: Damnit Flash! I told you to get the slow fuses!

Flash: I did boss. I got the blue ones for cold because you are slower when you’re cold.

*The gnome just stares at Flash, Flabbergasted.*

Gnome: THE GREEN ONES YOU DOLT!

Flash: Oh, But green doesn’t make sense for being slow.

Ruddy: Excuse us! Sorry, is everyone okay?

*The gnome and Flash look over at Ruddy. The gnome waves Ruddy away.*

Gnome: Yeah, we’re fine. Just dealing with stupid over here. *He points at Flash with his thumb.*

Flash: I’m not stupid. My Mom said I was a flash of genius.

Gnome: Exactly, after the flash we just got you.

*Emma holds back laughter.*

Gnome:*Sigh* Just. Go. Get me the. GREEN! fuse, please.

Emma: Fireworks?

Gnome: *Agitated* Yeah. I’m in charge of getting some new fireworks made for the circus.

Emma & Ruddy: Circus?

Gnome: The Tic, Tak, and Tow show.

Emma: I’ve never been to a circus. *Looks at Ruddy beggingly* Please can we go, Ruddy?

*Ruddy sighs and looks back to the Gnome.*

Ruddy: When and where is it?

Gnome: It’s two months from now to the east in the harbor city of Panmark.

Emma: Yes!

Gnome: *Laughs* Name’s Tip by the way.

Ruddy: I’m Ruddy and this is Emma. I’m actually on a pilgrimage with the church, would I maybe be able to help you two at all?

Tip: It’s funny you all showed up. We need someone to guard us in the copper mines up the road. They’re infested with Scorpedes. We have to make it to the Circus for the final show, but we need more copper for green.

*Ruddy waves for Levi to come over.*

Ruddy: We can help with that for sure. *Smiles*

*Levi pulls up next to their cart. Flash pulls out a wheel of red fuse and hands it to Tip. Tip starts to place it in the mortar shell.*

Emma: Didn’t you say green? That's red.

*Tip looks down at the mortar just in time to stop himself from lighting it.*

Tip: Flash! You moron!*Looks at Emma* I Brought him along because I’m colorblind but he can’t manage to pay attention for longer than you can hold your breath.

Emma: Yeah the explosion scared the Fluffmanes.

Tip: Sorry about that. We just bought the normal fuses back in Bakerst and I wanted to time them. They say it’s a ten-second fuse but sometimes it’s off by a second or two.

Emma: I can cast deafen on them for the next one.

Tip: They don’t freak out at you casting on them?

Emma: I make sure to spend time with any animals in the party so they trust me.

Tip: Bonus of Having an elf I guess.

*After the next Firework is ready, Tip waves to Emma and she carefully casts Deafen over the two Fluffmanes kissing their foreheads as it affects them. Afterward, the Fluffmanes lie down and Emma gives a thumbs up for them to light the firework. As it reaches its peak the firework explodes in the shape of a circus tent. Tip jumps in the air cheering in excitement.*

Tip: Perfect!

Ruddy: You even got the red and white of the stripes. How do you get the colors right if you can’t see them?

Tip: I use specific ingredients that have strong smells and tastes. White is the base and red tastes like berries.

Ruddy: Well whenever you’re ready we can head to the mines.

Tip: It’s gonna be better to wait until tomorrow. It’ll be dark by the time we get there today.

*The next day the party reaches an open room with a large vein of copper. Flash mines away while Emma, Ruddy, and Levi watch for signs of movement. Tip holds a piece of the raw ore and licks it before making a face of disgust. *

Tip: Yup. That’s copper.

*Flash nods and starts mining away.*

Ruddy: We’ve got an hour before we have to run or the lower levels will reach us. Get what you can and we’ll keep out any who make it early.

*Before Ruddy finishes talking a Scorpede runs in the room. The large insect curls its long centipede-like body into a wheel shape and spins towards the party. Levi calls down a spirit hand to stop its spin and the Scorpede uses its two stingers to inject its venom into the spirit hand causing it to disperse. As Ruddy swings down, the Scorpede attempts to stop him with one of its pincers, but Ruddy’s strength alone allows him to crush through its pincers and break into its head, killing it.*

Emma: I think we’re clear now. I’m not sensing anything.

*Emma calls out Lily*

Emma(TL): Can you sneak around and check the nearby tunnels?

*Lily nods and sneaks into a small tunnel. After half an hour passes Lily darts out of one of the paths and stands beside Emma.*

Lily: I counted five headed this way.

Emma: Ruddy, Lily says five are headed our way. That seems early, should we maybe stop now?

Tip: We still need just a bit more. If we can wait fifteen more minutes. I’m sure we’ll have enough.

*Ruddy turns to Emma.*

Ruddy: *Whispers* Can you stop them at all?

*Emma sighs as she hops on Lily’s back and heads down the tunnel.*

Emma(TL): I hate bugs. I understand Ruddy wants to hurry and finish, but.*shivers* Bugs are so disgusting!

*Lily laughs*

Emma: Stop here.

*Emma hops off Lily*

Emma: I’d like to avoid getting stung or bit today.

*Emma raises her hand and casts heat metal on the tunnel. The rich metal vein superheats the tunnel and the screeches of the Scorpedes can be heard as they’re cooked alive.*

*Tip turns towards the screams then at Ruddy who’s smiling nervously.*

Ruddy: I hope she’s not too mad.

Levi: Did you get ahold of him yet?

Ruddy: Yeah, he said he’ll meet us when we reach Mithrun. Isabelle said she liked him so hopefully it’ll make up for asking her to deal with all these bugs in Glimmerfell.

Levi:*Laughs* I’ll never get the way she ran around after she woke up to ants in her armor out of my head.

Ruddy: Just remember. She made us promise not to tell Ariella.

*Emma and Lily return to the group.*

Emma: Okay. are we good now? I sense a large group on their way.

Tip: Shit. Yeah, we should have enough. I was hoping for some extra for more tests.

Ruddy: Okay let’s get going.

*Levi helps Flash as they push a cart out of the mines. The sounds of skittering fill the tunnels as the party reaches the exit, Ruddy raises his mace and it begins to spark. He slams his mace down and the tunnel collapses.*

Emma: Thank you.

Ruddy:*Laughs* Of course! Let's quickly load this on the cart. If we hurry we can get out of here without fighting.

*As the last of the copper is loaded on the cart Ruddy sends Tip and Flash off and the party hops onto their cart. As the carts leave the tunnel starts to open up and a mix of different types of Insects start to pour out. Levi calls down another spirit hand and uses it to push the insects into the tunnel. Allowing them just enough time to escape.*

Emma: *exhale* Ruddy. We’ve finished your quota can we please head to Mithrun? I’d gladly take racists over bugs any day.

*Levi and Ruddy laugh*

Emma: After the circus of course!

Ruddy: Sounds good. We can guard Tip and Flash on our way.

Emma: Sure. As long as it means I can sleep.

*Emma lays down using Lily in her large form as a pillow.*