Sea Problem

"I've seen her a couple of times roaming around and getting supplies. She never seemed to understand what was going on in the town." Eluvian said. "Why? Is she one of your friends."

"She had been once. But now I intend to hand her to someone.. To be fair, she would have joined the Bloody Hawkes. Nothing attracts her more than power." I said, dryly. "About how often does she drop in?"

"She stops in every couple of weeks, and if that's the case, I'm glad she never understood." Eluvian said. "Her last resupply was a week ago."

"Thank you. This information is greatly appreciated." I said. "Is there anything you want in return?"

"This is not information I value on a financial level." She said.

"Very well. Tell me if ever you change your mind." I shrugged.

"I very much doubt I will, but very well, I'll keep that in mind." She said.

"Just on a little of a side note here.. what about the.. thing you mentioned?" Trevel asked shyly as he got his food.

"Hm. Well, I'll tell you." I said, mind linking to him. <Mind flayers chased them from the mountains. Oblex infest the town.> "Tilton has been made aware and I'll be helping with it soon."

<How are you in my head?> He responded, alarmed.

"It's a skill I've had since I was born." I told him, ending the mind link.

"It's a very interesting skill. One helpful in information gathering." Trevel said.

"Not particularly. Can't read minds. Can torment a doppelganger into realizing there is no safe space, though." I chuckled maliciously at the memory.

"Well that sounds terrifying. Glad I'm not a doppelganger." He said.

"Did you do your mind thingy again?" Dean asked.

"Yes." I answered. I looked at Eluvian, "I am a Kalashtar. Our Quori allows us to speak in others' minds."

"Still, an ability to speak between minds seems handy." She said.

"It is. It comes with never dreaming and having dual minds." I said.

"So you do not sleep?" She asked.

"No, I don't dream. When I sleep I see the Quori's memories of the Dal Quor, where nightmares come from." I replied.

"That.. doesn't sound pleasant." She said.

"It's not. I used to keep Dean awake when we were little. We thought it was night terrors." I shrugged.

"Not to take away from what I sure was a terrible experience, but you mentioned dying and going back in time?" She said.

"Yes. Though that's not the entirety to it. It just starts sounding more fantastical as I explain." I replied. "But if you'd like me to, I will."

"I'm in the mood for a good fantastical story." She replied.

I took out the orb and said, "Dean and you should put your hand on this, then."

She did so, as Dean did. "What is this?" She asked.

I spoke the pass phrase and we went inside. "This is my vacation orb."

She looked around and said, "It's very pretty here."

"Alright. So, I died in February, met you and yours in March, got you to move to my town, you helped me keep things organized there. In April I gave the swamp to a Verdant Prince. In June the Capital was lost to Shadows. In August I fought undead. In October I went to the other continent. In December,

I think, might have been November, Ash pissed off the Mad King and his mage banished me to Dal Quor. I used a glyph, half dead, to escape and ended up in an alternate reality, five years in the future. You had a daughter, in fact. She was beautiful and named after your grandmother." I detailed it.

"I would never have expected to.. have a child." She said.

"You are a good mom in that reality. Entirely charmed by your babies father. Bullied him some."I replied. "You'd be a good mom regardless, I think."

"I certainly hope that whenever I do become a mom that I will do a good job at it." She said.

"How can you not? You're patient, caring, and always listening." I said with a shrug.

"Well then, she sounds perfect to be a mom." Dean said, then mumbled, "Could help with that."

"Careful, boy, or I'll have to lecture you on proper etiquette." Eluvian said.

"Would we be in a room, by ourselves, so you can really focus?" Dean asked.

"Of course we would be by ourselves, that's the best way to do a lec-" She cut herself off. "Am I allowed to hurt him?"

"Be my guest." I smiled wryly. "Not all women like being teased so aggressively, Dean."

"Well, then, I must apologize. Would the lady care to forgive me?" Dean asked.

"So long as you can solve this puzzle." She said taking a tube out of her pocket. She handed it to him. "Simply put your pointer fingers in each side."

He obeyed her. "Now what?"

"Very simple. Take your fingers out." She said.

He started to struggle trying to do so. After a couple of minutes he said, through clenched teeth, "How do I take my fingers out?"

I chuckled, Eluvian handed one to me, "You can try as well, maybe you can outwit him and get done faster."

I shrugged and followed her directive, freeing myself quickly, and offering it back to her.

"Impressive. Seems like someone is still having troubles with it." Eluvian said.

Dean tried again and then reached for his blade. "Know what? I can get it off real quick."

"Just because you cut it, doesn't mean you get it off." Eluvian replied cooly.

Dean looked ready to rage. So I grabbed Dean's hands. "Pull and it tightens." I said to him, then pushed his hands closer to each other. "Move closer it releases." I held it still and let him remove his fingers.

"This thing is bullshit. Understandable bullshit, but bullshit." He said.

"She invented it." I told him, smiling.

"Indeed I did. I have others if you wish to try them. That's the one I let the children use." She said, picking at Dean.

"Give me the most difficult one you've made." Dean said, feeling challenged.

"Let's head inside." I suggested.

She started walking to the house while rooting through her bag.

"Why did you never bully me?" I asked her.

"Should I? I can? Also, you don't really seem to ask for it." She said.

"Ah. I see." I said.

Once we went inside I got out some paper and started drawing Zelda's face. While Eluvian teased Dean with her creations. Dean started managing to solve her puzzle. He was quite clever, after all. So she took out another. This one was stumping him again. I pretty much finished my drawing of Zelda, so I started adding finer details to the drawing of her. The dimples in her smile and such.

Frustrated, Dean put the puzzle on the table and looked at what I was doing, "It's a nice picture you've got there. I'm sure she'd be very appreciative of the detail you've put into her face." He said.

"Perhaps. Have you given up? O' ruckus King?" I teased him while continuing with the details.

"Ruckus king? Thats a new one. Can't say I hate it, though.." Dean said.

"Used to be what rogues used rather than Matriarch or Patriarch. Back before insinuating such was a capital offense." I said. "Round three hundred or so years ago."

"Interesting tidbit you got there." Dean said.

"So, yes. You gave up?" I asked.

"I did not give up. I'm... resting my mind." He insisted.

I smiled at him. "Dean can be immature, but he's the best friend I could ask for." I told Eluvian.

"He seems alright." She replied, with a slight smile.

I leaned back, looking over my sketch. "I'll admit, I'm a little anxious to return to my Lady.." But, I'll let you continue to play a little longer. I'm going to go outside."

"Aw, feeling anxious there, Bud? It's ok, we can go. I can solve this puzzle somewhere else." Dean said.

"Yes, I believe we're ready to go, yes." Eluvian said. "Would you like me to leave this puzzle with you, Dean?"

"Yes, I would very much like that. I will solve this thing." He said, very determined.

I spoke the pass phrase to take us out, and put away the orb. "Very good. I need to stop by Tibin's shop for a magic lock. You can get your supplies from there. Trevel. Once you're finished eating, head to the cave to the East, past the second bridge, and hang out in the entrance."

Rather than wait for an answer, I finished my drink and paid the innkeeper for our table, with a tip, and headed out the door. Eluvian and Dean followed me to Tibin's and I asked for the special lock for my door. Eluvian ordered her supplies, bedding mostly for the kids. She was going to buy cloth, but I told her to just order the clothes from Tibin in the sizes she needed. I explained to her that it'd be initially quicker, though she can still buy cloth, too. I told Dean mentally to get her Tinker's tools.

<Why? So she can make more of these damned puzzles?> He asked frustrated, trying to solve it again.

<To make her happy and built rapport with her.> I replied.

<You really want me to go with this girl, don't you?> He asked.

<I do. I like her. It would be great if she was with you. Besides, she's gorgeous.> I replied.

<Well, I can't argue that. She is not my usual type though.> He said.

<No kidding. She isn't twice.. You have mommy issues.> I realized.

<How can I have mommy issues when I didn't have one?> He asked.

<I have mommy and daddy issues.> I replied. <You're constantly seeking older women.>

<That's just because they usually know what they want. Which is me.> Dean said.

<For a night or two. Not for relationships. You could make one with Eluvian.> I told him.

<Relationships are work.> He said.

<You've always found hard work rewarding.> I reminded him.

<Yes. Rewarding for my coin purse. Relationships empty coin purses.> He said.

<She isn't that type.> I said. <Besides, you've been pinching what was supposed to be given to Miran for years.> I said. <You have ample coin to make a hundred women fat and happy without going broke.>

<Or me happy for an entire lifetime. But I get what you're getting at.> He said. <She seems to be responding to standard Dean. Which is weird. But who knows. I may do something really stupid that'll put her off.>

<I mean she liked me. She's lonely and had too much responsibility too soon. Like you.> I replied.

<I had just the right amount of responsibility at all times. And I know this cause I came out on top.> Dean said.

<Beholden to a fool. She is a Matriarch.> I pointed out. I noticed she was ending her shopping and getting ready to pay. I paid for her stuff and my lock.

<I am a.. Well, I may not be a patriarch, but I may as well be.> He replied.

<She gives good massages.> I said suddenly.

<I've had tons of massages that both did and did not end at the massage.> Dean pointed out.

<If you snooze, Mills will charm her.> I replied. "Are you sure that's all you need, Eluvian? We can purchase vegetables from the stall vendors."

"Vegetables don't tend to last very long. But it would be good to get vegetables for the children, so yes." Eluvian said.

"Incidentally, how do you feel about teaching our people ways to preserve vegetables and meats?" I asked her as I bundled her things to carry them on my back for her. "I know multiple ways to."

"That sounds like an extremely useful skill to have." She said.

I lead her out the shop, while Dean purchased the Tinker's tools. I took her over to the Square and I brokered with Arthur while she bought vegetables. Arthur would be hunting atleast one large prey a week for Hearthstone Town. I also paid him in a advance. He hates animals anyways. I encouraged her to buy more than she needed, and packed it in a bundle for her, which I also carried. Along with some dried meats we bought from Arthur.

Once shopping was done, we headed towards the East Gate. Dean caught Eluvian's attention and handed her the puzzle. He'd completed it. He then handed her the tools and said, "Here, I thought these would help make better puzzles."

She smiled and said, "Well then. Thank you for the tools, good Sir. I will indeed make better puzzles with these."

I chuckled. On the way to Hearthstone, I went over the ways to preserve meats, vegetables and dairy products, and told her about the storage the Dwarves would be putting into the city part when it's built. I also promised her to give the cooks recipes to go with the noodles that will further stretch the ingredients she'd gotten. I told her no one will go hungry here. Then we arrived back at town, Trevel was waiting for us.

Firstly, I headed downstairs and entered the metal doors area. I started on the permanent glyph to Dean's home there. I gave Dean a key to the lock and kept the others. Next I asked for the ex-servants to name their most experienced baker. I told them to head to the bakery at dawn and paid her to do so. Then we headed back to East Haven, returning to all of Eluvian's people. Sure enough, as expected, Alexion was fixing some people's disabilities.

One ran up to us in tears "Matriarch, look, they fixed my leg. I don't limp anymore. It doesn't hurt anymore."

She crouched down. "I'm glad Charlie. Have you shown the others? Go gather them up for me would you? We are moving soon."

I got to work drawing a larger teleportation glyph to Hearthstone Town, while the child went to do as Eluvian asked. I'd dropped off the bundles in the cave room Bibs had been caged in. Once it was done, I waited for Alexion and Plight to have finished what they could do for the moment. I approached them when they were done.

"Great job, you two. I'm glad we were all successful." If anything, I was slowly beginning to become tired. I figured it was powering the glyphs that was tuckering me out.

"This will be a very worth while venture. There is still much work to be done for these people." Plight said.

"Yes. Alexion is a genius, right?" I replied.

"He is. I can easily admit that he is far more expert in the healing arts than I." Plight said.

I said, "He's simply had more access to training and studying than you."

When everyone was rounded up, and mostly healthy, I activated the large portal, sending them through. I took Dean and Trevel to Dean's house, establishing the permanent glyph there. Then took Plight and Alexion back to Phintias' home. We went to get the women. I still had to take Zelda to save the baby dragon, and Pegasus if they had it.

Phintias was with the three women, who'd clearly successfully shopped, in his study once more. Lucretia was cuddled up to Phintias, snuggly, smiling and laughing with the other two. Sienna was seated with Zelda telling some story of their shopping expedition. She'd really bit someone, apparently. We'd paused listening to the women telling Phintias all about it. When Sienna noticed we'd returned, she fey stepped to Plight, tossing her arms around his neck joyously.

Lucretia and Phintias had noticed before Zelda and Sienna that we'd returned. Just hadn't said anything. I smiled at them and said, "I'm so glad Sienna was able to protect you all."

"It was greatly amusing." Lucretia said. "Sienna only bit one person. When she pulled her sword is when people took her seriously."

Zelda got up and walked towards me, then gestured with her finger for me to come to her. I complied. She said, "I am going to give you physical affection now. Be prepared."

".. That's fine. You're allowed." I told her. Glad Dean wasn't present to jab at me. She gave me a hug, then. And I wrapped my arms around her, feeling my anxiety alleviate. "It would be silly by this point for me to be bothered by you touching me." She squeezed my body, then kissed me.

"What did you boys do?" Lucretia asked. "Alexion and Isarial look kinda tired."

"Alexion and Plight were healing people and correcting disabilities." I said. "Dean and I killed a bunch of guards, that's why I came to get Plight. I hadn't intended to start that yet.. Hey Phintias, might you know what this is? I have an inkling, but just curious." I took the swirling shadowy orb out of my pocket.

"Well that looks like a soldier of the Shadowfell." He said.

I laughed, putting it into the bag of holding. "Thought so. It wouldn't have worked on me. Not only was he greedy and worthless, but dumber than I gave him credit for. I'd passed myself off as one of his bosses hands."

"That does sound like an idiot. But that's good. Makes it easy." Zelda said.

"Well, he'd have lived a little longer if he hadn't tried smash that orb in my face. Dean caught him. If I was actually one of Denoirs men, I would have fed him to the shadows." I shrugged. "I can't say I understand it. He gave every indicator of believing me, and I didn't tell any lies. I spoke from an infiltration point of view."

"Infiltration?" Lucretia asked.

"Yeah. A skill assassins use. It's how I ended up before the Mad King previously. I'd used a bit of expertise I'd picked up and got in close with his people. Everything would have went smoothly if Ash hadn't power tripped and pissed off the Mad King." I replied. "The good news to that girl, is I learned where she'll be in a week. She'll be removed from being an issue."

"That sounds like fun." Sienna said, "Pretending to be someone else to make people see you as belonging."

"I am sorry, but I don't think you're capable of it." I replied slowly.

"Oh, I can do that." Lucretia smiled.

"You can literally take on someone else's shape, so as long as you have the right information about them you can do it." I agreed.

"I don't want to." She said, raising her chin and turning her head towards Phintias primly.

"Good, I like you just the way you are." Phintias said.

She was pretending to be spoiled. But Phintias saying that made her smile, her cheeks becoming rosy. It made me remember their children, and how much they love and adore them. I was looking forward to playing with them again, but in this reality. I wanted to ask them when they'd marry, but I didn't want to make her nervous. She flopped her head on his shoulder after a moment. She liked him, clearly. It was this point I noticed Sienna was bullying her brother, and Plight was smiling at Sienna, whose boundless joy and unconditional love was like a drug to him. And Zelda, still snuggled up to me cheerfully.

"It seems your pretty close to your goal. A lot of people are happy." Zelda said.

"Yes. It's about time I help my father shut down the Shadowfell's crap. But in the meanwhile, I believe my Lady wanted to go take a baby dragon out of a cage?" I replied.

"Why, yes. Yes I did. Are we doing that now?" She asked.

"What baby dragon?" Phintias asked.

"A poacher fished a baby silver dragon out of the Sea. His name is Sky Piercer, if I recall correctly. He is a runaway from home." I told him.

"I would highly recommend getting ahold of him before his parents come and storm the country looking for him." Phintias said.

".... I just realized he must have died before, when the Capital was taken over." I noted. "But they never came over here. Their clan protects the Dragonette Princess."

"Ah. They do take their oaths very seriously. Apparently sometimes even over their young." Phintias said.

I nodded. Sienna asked, "Want help? I hate poachers as much as bullies."

I shrugged, "Sure. I'll bring you along."

"I think I'd like to return to my parents.." Alexion said.

"I can stay with Sienna, so I guess I will be going with you to stop some poachers." Plight said.

"Very well." I said. "We'll see you later, Lucretia and Phintias."

They acknowledged it and Lucretia hopped up to hug her brother briefly. She returned to Phintias to snuggle him, while we all left. Rather than use his basement, we went outside to an out of the way spot. I made a glyph to Dueling Rivers for Alexion, showing him mentally where all to check for his parents, starting with Bibs' home and continuing to Tilton's. Then I started the complicated process of getting a glyph to the ship. Rather than make it stationary, I had to alter my usual way, because it's mobile.

Once I managed to get it going, I activated it and we walked through. As expected, the poachers were on high alert due to the portal opening. Once we'd stepped through, they drew their weapons. I ignored them, Sienna made her Tiny Hut, and I casually walked through, towards the captain.

"I would like to make a deal with you. Allow me to collect the dragon, Sky Piercer, and you can keep the rest of your cargo. Otherwise... Unpleasant things may occur." I said.

"I fear our employer a lot more than you. Boys, do your thing." He replied.

I chose to shape-shift to the hybrid form. It took some doing as they attempted to attack me. Once I'd finished the process, I looked down at him, "About that."

Idly, I was surprised my clothes didn't get destroyed. Plight engaged one of the people attacking me, and Sienna cast heat metal on a man. Zelda fired her new crossbow at a man.

"Well, you're a big beastie. Could probably put you in a cage, or atleast try." The captain said.

"Go ahead. If you survive and do, it may be interesting to watch James Hearthry catch hold of you." I taunted him, taking my crossbow and shooting one of his men in the skull.

He looked around, seeing his men getting killed. "You know, I'm just gonna let you do what you want. Because if you kill too many of my people I won't be able to get this ship to land anyways.

"Well, I'd love to say that was still a thing I would allow." I replied, switching to my short sword.

"Shouldn't we accept that?" Plight asked. "If he is willing to surrender then he can see reason."

I turned my head and looked at Plight. "Lay down all your weapons and I'll grant mercy."

"To lay down all of them may take a minute." The captain said, then he shouted, "Lay down arms!" People started complying.

"While your at it, what all is your cargo?" I asked.

"I have a manifest in my quarters. You are welcome to it." The captain said.

I touched a few dead men, using Spare the Dying. "Just tell me."

"I can try, but if I forget something... Just don't murder me for it is what I'm getting at." The captain said.

"Waiting." I said. Making no promises.

"Something tells me I may not be making it off this ship. But whatever." He said, "A young wyvern, a silver dragonling, some death puppies- they're two headed dogs, a couple owl bear cubs, and a pegasus foal."

"What is a pegasus?" I heard Zelda ask.

"A non traumatized Nightmare." I replied without thought. Then I Mind Linked to her and showed her the white and gold winged Pegasus flying through the air.

"These people have a lot of creatures they really shouldn't. Because that's majestic." She said.

"Was the dragonling and foal something you were supposed to acquire?" I asked him.

"The foal, yes. The dragonling was an unexpected addition." Captain replied.

I shifted back to my human form. "Who is the foal going to?"

"Same place the rest of these are going. Pet shop in the Capital." He said.

"I see." I said. "Then, my Lady, what do you wish me to do? Plight asked for their lives, while I'm being generous, you can ask for what you please."

"Is the Pegasus sentient like the dragon?" She asked.

"Yes." Sienna said. "Pegusi are celestial beings, like myself. They cannot speak, but you can bond with them, if they choose to let you."

"Then I would like to try." Zelda said. "If it doesn't want to, then it doesn't want to."

"Alright. Do you want to purchase it from the pet shop, or steal it from here?" I asked. It's not like I cared.

"Well, I don't personally feel these things should be sold. So, steal I guess?" Zelda replied.

"Got any qualms with that, Captain?" I asked, I'd finished ensuring the poachers would live.

"Ya kidding me? You're taking everything. I might as well let you do it anyway." He said.

"Not everything. I don't particularly care about what I can't reason with. The dogs and owl bears can easily stay with you." I replied.

"Well, I'm just gonna shut my mouth then." He said.

"Sure. Or you can tell me one more thing and I can tell you where to get something interesting." I said.

"Well, what can I answer for you?" He asked.

"Who is the merchant who has a young goblin slave as a servant?" I asked.

"I think his name is Norman. I don't do any dealings with him. Why?" He asked.

"I hate his face." I lied.

"Ok.. well have fun hating him I guess? I don't know what you want me to do about it." He said.

"Did I say you needed to do something bout him? I was simply asking. Where is he located?" I asked.

"Can't say I know. He travels." He said.

"Ok. If you go to the far North and West of the Kingdom there is a den of Winter Wolves." I said.

"If you are wanting to do business, by all means we can get you some wolves." He said.

I looked at him confused. "I'm taking some of your stock. I was offering information on rare creatures that are pests if left wild." I told him. "I can communicate with wolves, so if I wanted them, I'd simply go get them."

"Well, I might be able to find someone willing to buy such things." He said.

"Probably the same fool who'd buy a metallic baby dragon. Their parents are very involved." I said, before turning and going below deck.

Plight followed me down, while the girls stayed by the glyph. Probably watching the poachers. After we were below, I noticed Plight was acting off. I looked at him, while standing in front of a cage. "Is there something wrong, Plight?"

"If you say there is nothing wrong, then there is nothing wrong." Plight said.

I frowned at him. Then turned to the cage. Speaking Draconic, I said, ":Sky Piercer, Wyvern, do you wish to be freed?:"

":I would like out, yes.:" Sky Piercer said.

The wyvern looked at us. ":Then I shall release you.:" I said. ":My Lady wished for me to save you, Sky.:"

":Do I know you? I don't think I know you.:" He said.

":No. Nor do your parents. But I can protect you if you choose to stay with my Lady. It would be safer than traveling on your own.:" I told him, unlocking his cage.

":I would be inclined to agree at this moment.:" He said.

":What about you, wyvern?:" I asked, having released Sky Piercer. Reaching out to let him climb on me. ":I know you understand me, my Draconic is flawless, and I know you can speak.:"

":Why should I trust another two legger?:" It asked.

I said, ":Because I am your only chance for freedom. Unlike Sky, you can go home or be taken somewhere safe.:"

":Set me free and I will go home.:" The wyvern said.

":If you tell me where your home is I can open a portal for you to go there.:" I offered. Sky had climbed on me, and I was working on the wyvern lock now.

":I need no such thing. I can get there on my own.:" It said.

":We're a ways at sea, you are young. Can you fly and return?:" I asked. It was unlocked now.

":How far is 'a ways'?:" It asked.

I opened the door. ":You wouldn't arrive by ship for another three weeks.:" I told it. ":A sailing ship is about as fast as a human walking. So five hundred miles, give or take.:"

":That is out of reach.:" It said.

":There is also a Roc nearby.:" I told it. Then that information sank in for me. ":Right. The Roc is nearby here...:"

":I will take your offer..:" It declared. It told me where it lived and luckily, I did know the glyph, then.

I drew it out and activated it, ":If it is wrong, come back through and I will try again.:"

It went through and did not come back. "You know I was going to have Sienna fireball this ship, right?" I asked Plight. After a minute when it didn't return I canceled the glyph and erased it.

"I did not know you were going to do that, no." Plight said. "But I had an inkling things were going to escalate."