6/22/13

Chapter 51: Resolutions

The first issue resolved is that Nico is no longer haunting.  Actually, he never was.  When I left the lute in my room and went back to Stormguard to have lunch with Tal, I noted that the ghost was gone!  Going back to Oslo’s tower, I found him still there.  He was bound to the Lute, not to me!

Seeing the opportunity to discuss matters in private with Oslo, I teleported back to my apartments and left the lute back in the armory before returning to Oslo.  My master agreed that it would be best to leave Nico with him.  It had been centuries since he had been able to speak with his son.  As we spoke, a feeling of dread washed over me.  I had the lute with me when we went to the Dao Genie which means that he was with us when we freed the Genie kings from their painted prison!

I told Oslo of my fears and he agreed that a warning should go out.  He would contact his wife in the Courts of Air and tell her.  This gave me pause because I had no idea that Oslo was still married… to a genie… my great (great, great, etc) grandmother… the Djinn King’s favored concubine!  I was shocked.  I had no idea they were still in contact but he assured that they were.   I’ll admit that I was upset that I had never gotten the chance to meet her, but Oslo assured that me that someday we would.  She was busy dealing with the repercussions of the king’s return.

Guilt washed through me at my part in the chaos she was going through, but Oslo assured me that the fault lied squarely on the Shugenja that trapped the genie monarchs in the first place.  The only reason the man was still alive was because he was immune to the magic of genie-kind.  I managed to keep my heart from leaping out of my chest, just barely.  The man was still alive!  For over ten millennia!  I had traded in the ire of a 400 year old djinn-blooded master mage for what could potentially be retribution from a 10,000 year old mage who could imprison the most powerful genies of all time.

Olso reassured me that spells were woven into my blood that would warn us if he or any of his agents were nearby.  Seeing nothing further that I could do, I retrieved the lute and left it in my room at the tower.  Nico and I had a civil conversation where I forgave him for trying to enslave me and he forgave me for destroying over a century of work and effectively causing his death.  He also told me that he did indeed form the Blood Song guild.

Saying goodbye to my ancestors I headed straight for my library to pick out any volumes I could find on the history of the genie courts and the disappearance of the kings.  When there is more time, I will have to continue my research, but for now, I had a promise to keep and a woman to save.   First, I contacted Fasa and asked him if he would be willing to act as my bodyguard.  I needed someone to watch my back on a more regular basis and I was pleased that he agreed.  As an initial payment for his services, I purchased a ring of lightning resistance for him.  (Working closely together, it was likely that he would get caught by some of my spells and I wanted to lessen the damage to him.)

We went to the wizard’s guild and I paid a hefty fee to one of the diviners for the location of the Sahuagin city.  After that, I went back to Tal’s place since it was nearing dinner time.  I agreed to meet Fasa back here in the morning and he a very pleasant evening.   The next morning was a bit of an eye-opening experience.   Unbeknownst to my lady, I had been learning the gnomish language and as I sat reading, she and her sister were having a conversation.  Until today, I had never been able to pick out more than a few words and phrases but now I could.

Erra was quite open in her questions to Tal about a number of very sensitive topics regarding out relationship and our activities, especially the quality and frequency.  They even discussed the customs of my homeland of men having a harem and whether Tal would be a part of that.  I did my best to keep from choking on my coffee or from blushing too badly.  It was especially difficult when Tal asked if she would be interested in me so that if our relationship does continue, they could be sisters under one roof.

This entire conversation happened as if they were discussing what to have for breakfast, which in fact is what they did next.  Tal said that she was getting tired of the daily routine of bacon and eggs and without a thought; I suggested that I go get crepes for everyone.  Tal said that would be lovely but Erra looked at me and asked bluntly, if I found her attractive, which I undoubtedly do.  Tal smiled and asked if I had thought of courting Erra.  The conversation continued regarding marriage and the future, but before anything was decided, I left to get breakfast.  No, I did not flee as fast as my magically-enhanced boots could carry me.  I swear.

Luckily, the topic was left alone for the rest of the day as we made preparations for our trip to the Sahuagin city.  Since the attack on the city, I have been studying the language of the aquatic people and I practiced taking their form with my Alter Self spell.  I went to Quint and purchased a variety of water breathing items, including a very stylish belt for me.   While the others were getting ready, I took Tal to the docks and I spent a few hours with her under the water practicing Illusions that would be convincing.

Lilly had secured a crew for her ship and I had created a compass using Francine’s hair and dewing needle to pinpoint her location.  Tal gave us a set of weapons that would be extremely useful under water, including two repeating harpoon crossbows, a trident and a set of bracers with retractable punch daggers.  We planned to set out the following morning, but Will expressed concerns that we didn’t have a solid plan for getting in and out of the city.

First thing in the morning, I went to check with Alair at the Bloodsong guild.  When I laid out the issue to him, he had a suggestion: he could cast a delayed teleport on my group with the destination in the Temple District followed by a teleport to the location which he could scry for using my compass.  All we had to do was arrive at Francine’s location, grab her, then teleport back approximately a minute later.  He did ask one thing in return, a favor for a favor.  He wanted a painting created by a specific artist: not a specific painting though, any would do.  Anytime within the next year would be acceptable but there were two complications.  (Aren’t there always?)  His name as Buster and he was of a race known as Octo-pedes which lived in the jungles near Ilonia, the same area where Lilly is from.

I gathered the others and told them Alair’s suggestion and they all agreed it would be best.  We had Lilly’s ship and crew standing by in case we were blocked from returning.  At 10 AM, we gathered around the elf wizard with our water breathing gear and weapons ready.   In a flash, we appeared in a set of pens surrounded by people in rags.  Moving quickly we gathered them all close and prepared ourselves for any guards, but none came.  The time we arrived corresponded to the middle of the night for these people.  No one was alerted and in another flash, we arrived on Temple Street with Francine and 66 other people who had been kidnapped from the city.

One of them, a mage described what the Sahuagin were working on: a massive coral golem that was to be covered in a cloth golem (which Francine was working on).  The construct would be 40 feet tall when it was completed and effectively be two golems in one.  Destroy the cloth golem and there would still be a second even stronger golem underneath.  We called on guards and members of the clergy to take the people back to their homes while I personally made sure that Francine was reunited with her family.

Once she’s ready for more work, I will commission a new tunic using the Elf fabric I purchased but for now, after all the chaos we have been through in recent weeks, I believe that it’s time that we had some rest and relaxation.

Chapter 52: Vacation

Three weeks…  Three wonderful weeks, we’ve spent relaxing on the beach, playing with animals at the familiar farm, and training together as a group.  During that time, the first batch of Missive Tubes was completed and half went to the Lord Knight and half are staying with me.  He is very happy with the items and has already commissioned 30 more sets.  Though my initial profit was meager, I have hopes that this deal will be quite lucrative for all involved.

I gave two of my tubes to Lilly to use in her business dealings.  I kept the major tube for myself and gave another to Tal, leaving me with two unspoken for, at the moment.   I did spend some of my vacation time in the city to work on the business arrangements with Tal, but we spent most of our nights together in the “beach house”.  During the day, the others were there two but other than training on combat maneuvers, our only excitement came in the form of a brief visit from a shark.

At the Familiar Farm, a group of over-sized praying mantises got loose from their enclosure and we spent a chaotic afternoon gathering them up without hurting any of them.  I think Will might have even cracked a smile or two.  Now if only I could get him and that cute wizardess Violet to spend a little alone time together; I think it would do him a world of good!  He could use a good animal friend too.  I know he’s afraid of getting close to people, but holding everyone at arm’s length is no way to live your life.  She’s a little bit shy and reserved, so perhaps Victor would be a better match for her.   The woman’s skill with nature spells and her affinity with plant-based creatures could rival that of a druid. 

On our last night together, there was a rather impressive meteor shower.  I was reminded of the hours spent at the observatory unlocking a new Rune that allowed me to expand my spellcasting abilities.    Something else darkened my mood, however.  In my last few trips into the city, I spotted a woman following me. Though she was clothed entirely in black, her face covered, I could tell that she was Zakharan.  There was a jambiya on her belt along with a wicked-looking hand crossbow.  She took no threatening actions and judging by the fact I was able to spot her, she is either not very skilled or she is not worried about being seen by me.

I asked the group to help me confront her, non-violently if possible.  Will joked with me that perhaps she was a “fan”.  I highly doubt that.  Her behavior is definitely not what I would expect from someone who enjoyed my performances.  And how would someone from my homeland know much about me?  I was not well-known when my performing career was interrupted by my service to Oslo.  We’re planning to take a trip to Ilonia so Will can check on the children from his village.  While we’re there, we’ll also look for Buster the artist and maybe search for the lost city of half-genies.  I look forward to the adventure, but I am going miss the city, especially Tal.  I hope my newly made tube can reach from where we’re going…