{"id":10330,"date":"2021-03-30T23:55:13","date_gmt":"2021-03-30T23:55:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/wandering-inn\/?p=10330"},"modified":"2025-12-24T01:02:18","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T01:02:18","slug":"8-15","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2021\/03\/30\/8-15\/","title":{"rendered":"8.15"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Iron Prince by Bryce O\u2019Conner and Luke Chmilenko has just been released as an audiobook! Also by Podium; <\/strong>consider giving it a try<\/strong><\/a> if you\u2019re out of chapters of The Wandering Inn!)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

When he first arrived here, he thought it was a glorious adventure.<\/p>\n

Of course, he\u2019d been confused, scared, intimidated by a world apart. Yet\u2014didn\u2019t everyone dream of falling into a story? If not a book, then a movie, a video game? Like many people, he had thought, \u2018if it were me, I\u2019d not make that mistake\u2019, or \u2018I\u2019d have done this\u2019.<\/p>\n

I would love to have that chance. I should love to be a hero. Because, surely, I can do it better.<\/em><\/p>\n

In truth, his perspective was that of most of the people who had come here. He had been disabused of the notion.<\/p>\n

Not right away. Still, Joseph remembered his rude awakening. Unlike Imani, it had been when he finally got his \u2018chance\u2019. After being an involuntary house guest of Magnolia Reinhart, they had been able to become adventurers. He had been armed with enchanted gear, escorted even, to fight monsters.<\/p>\n

It was as Joseph tried to hack apart a giant centipede, seeing the flailing legs wriggle horribly even on the bisected parts, blood covering his legs and boots, hearing the sounds<\/em> his sword made as it lodged in its squirming insides, trying to saw<\/em> it in half, that the dream ended. Combat was hacking apart people with sharp weapons, not glorious, flashing swords and the thrill of battle.<\/p>\n

Magic was studying.<\/p>\n

People died. Sometimes in moments, horribly.<\/p>\n

And they wondered why he started drinking. Disillusionment had sunk over most of the Earthers that Magnolia Reinhart had relinquished to Ryoka Griffin. They had been useless, worthless, not even strictly worth the effort of holding onto and feeding.<\/p>\n

This had been a truth until he met Erin Solstice and seen that it wasn\u2019t this world<\/em> that was too difficult, too gritty and real, it was just him.<\/p>\n

Despair twice. However, somehow, time and a bit of kindness, a bit of willingness to help and see potential had seen Joseph kicking a football around on the grass. Thus, his mundane ability to play his favorite sport turned magical. That was Erin Solstice\u2019s magic.<\/p>\n

Now she was dead. If there was a moral to the story, Joseph Ortega didn\u2019t see it. Take away that last bit and it was a hopeful, wonderful story. He woke up, head pounding, sweating and entangled in his sheets, dreaming the centipedes were after him and he\u2019d lost his sword. He sat up, as sunlight streamed through the window. It cast a diagonal line across his torso, warming him. The light wood floorboards and walls, light blue curtains next to the expensive glass windows and wooden shutters were nothing like his home on Earth.<\/p>\n

It was exceedingly comfy, of course. The mattress wasn\u2019t spring, but it was stuffed. Joseph had a carpet he\u2019d actually been given, with a wave-pattern around the edges and a stylized Human kicking a football in the center.<\/p>\n

Actually hand-woven, a gift. His table and the dresser both held souvenirs, a few cardboard autograph pads, an empty bottle\u2026and the hangover cure potion Joseph went for first. He sat, staring at a map of the known world he\u2019d tacked to one wall, and an advert.<\/p>\n

\u2018Think you can kick a ball? Try out for Liscor\u2019s Soccer Team today! The Flood Crabs are holding tryouts!\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

He had carefully crossed out \u2018soccer\u2019 and replaced it with \u2018football\u2019. Even now, the poster made him smile.<\/p>\n

Flood Crabs.<\/em> A combination of \u2018Floodplains\u2019 and \u2018Rock Crabs\u2019, once he\u2019d explained some of the naming conventions of sports teams. Of course, it had been a lot of wrangling and half the Drakes wanted to be called \u2018Liscor\u2019s Dragons\u2019, which neither the Gnolls nor Joseph had been keen on.<\/p>\n

Flood Crabs had personality. It wasn\u2019t generic and it stuck in the mind. Joseph was proud of the poster, he really was. He looked at it.<\/p>\n

Hand-illustrated.<\/em> Someone wrote all those big, block letters, actually painted it, illustrated everything\u2026and they had to copy the design a hundred times.<\/em><\/p>\n

A printer could copy that easily with ink and power. Yet Liscor\u2019s Council had paid for illustrated posters, and gifted one to Joseph.<\/p>\n

It meant something more than a printed poster. Joseph sat there, staring at it, blinking sleepily as the morning light crept upwards. He ruffled his hair, blinking at a mirror\u2014another gift\u2014and seeing a half-naked young man with warm black hair, the beginnings of a mustache and beard since he hadn\u2019t shaved, and a slightly-pained expression as the hangover medicine took away his headache.<\/p>\n

Joseph Ortega, from Spain, from Earth. Perhaps the only person from his country in the world; certainly, the only one he\u2019d met.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Leon gets to find out.\u201d<\/p>\n

The young man rubbed at his head, recalling the incident of yesterday. Another close call. Literally paralyzed and held hostage by a [High Mage]. Helpless as a bug before real danger. He shuddered and glanced at the empty bottle.<\/p>\n

He kept trying, and he kept failing to quit. Once more, Joseph supposed it was the arrogance of inexperience. He\u2019d assumed (if he\u2019d ever thought of it), that he\u2019d be able to quit an addiction. He knew, intellectually, how hard it was and how people struggled with alcoholism, smoking. Yet it was one thing to recall and another to experience.<\/p>\n

Worse still, since he could take Octavia\u2019s sobering potions or hangover cures and not have to pay much for his habit. His head thumped back onto the pillow and Joseph indulged in some good self-hatred for breakfast.<\/p>\n

He did not actually rise for breakfast for a while. Because today, Joseph was dreading the harder parts in life, and he knew it was stupid. He had been given a second chance. Found that he was a celebrity for playing football<\/em>, and not even close to well. His casual knowledge was treated like gospel.<\/p>\n

Joseph had made it. Yet he still felt crummy, and felt bad for that. So he lay on his back, until a superior fighter opened the door and strode into the room.<\/p>\n

A superlative warrior, a far better survivalist in this world. Also, arguably now the best [Mage] in the inn. Mrsha the Archmage strutted into Joseph\u2019s room, sniffing. She stopped when she saw Joseph.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrsha? What are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

He sat up, blinking at her. She looked around, walking on two legs instead of four. Mrsha stared about\u2026then found what she wanted.<\/p>\n

Aha!<\/em> She grabbed something by the door. Joseph saw her pick up the classic white-and-black ball. Harder to make in this world; the [Leatherworker] had had a fit when he understood it had to be white and black<\/em>, both leathers being hard to dye or acquire naturally.<\/p>\n

She picked it up, and waved at Joseph. He waved back. Mrsha pointed at the ball, which everyone called a \u2018soccer ball\u2019 much to his annoyance.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh. You want the ball? Go ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

He blinked at it as she nodded, made a \u2018thank you\u2019 gesture with one paw, and tottered out of the room with it. Joseph heard a shout from down the hallway. As he fully woke up, he heard a familiar, excited voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrsha\u2019s got the ball! Mrsha, Mrshamrshamrsha\u2014pass it here! <\/em>Is Joseph awake? That\u2019s his personal<\/em> ball, right? Are we allowed to use it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ekirra. Joseph listened and wished, just for a moment, he could live up to the little Gnoll\u2019s idolization of him. He hid in his room as he heard the little Gnoll racing around downstairs. At last though, he stood up and faced the quiet inn, without Erin. Another day.<\/p>\n

It was sort of a downer day for Joseph. Something else Earthers could identify with. Anyone, really.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Niers Astoragon hated children. He also realized he hated soccer, at least in principle.<\/p>\n

In general, perhaps. It was something about little children, who were so careless and might step<\/em> on a six-inch tall person, or throw something in a fit of anger, and a ball larger than he was that was kicked<\/em> at high velocities that made Niers Astoragon the Fraerling uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

He couldn\u2019t have said why. Yet as he started his first day in The Wandering Inn as a proper sort of guest\u2014or fugitive\u2014his one ally in the inn seemed excited enough to kick the bouncy ball around. Niers watched Mrsha and the other, brown Gnoll child kicking it around in the common room of the inn.<\/p>\n

He had thoughts. With a tiny bit of chalk, broken off from an actual piece of chalk, the Titan scribbled some notes down.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s see. Miss Erin Solstice is\u2026frozen. I\u2019m separated from home. I am being hunted. Everyone knows I am in Izril. My one ally is a little Gnoll. A white<\/em> Gnoll, and I wish to Djinni that I knew exactly what that meant. She\u2019s mute, but she can cast magic\u2014Tiers 1-2. I have limited artifacts, and, oh yes. A magical portal door, in theory.\u201d<\/p>\n

There were not a lot of assets to work with, but after some thought, he made some addendums.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the resources of an inn, really. Which are considerable for a Fraerling<\/em>, as well as indirect access to multiple master artisans, not to mention magical assistance from both [Mages] and [Shamans]. In theory. Not so bad. In fact\u2026if I weren\u2019t up against the Great Companies and their agents, I\u2019d call this excellent.\u201d<\/p>\n

He turned to his attentive student as, below him, the little Gnoll called Ekirra launched a shot that bounced off a wall and Mrsha ran after it. Niers was sitting on one of the beams high above the common room, which afforded him an unparalleled spying and hiding place.<\/p>\n

His student waved its\u2014her\u2014antennae at him. Niers eyed the huge, insectile face and slowly wrote down another point.<\/p>\n

\u201cIssue of transportation\/maneuverability? Solved: Ashfire Bee. Name: Apista. Somewhat tame, upgraded stinger, dubious intelligence.\u201d<\/p>\n

A feeler poked<\/em> Niers in the back and he swore. He batted at Apista.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop that!\u201d<\/p>\n

Apparently it belonged to a\u2026[Princess]? Niers shook his head. Mrsha had explained, but there were limits even to the Titan\u2019s credulity. Yet he clearly saw the marks of a [Beast Tamer]\u2019s Skills on the bee. He nodded to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n

He stood up, having assuaged his curiosity as far as watching the inn\u2019s guests and staff this morning. He\u2019d marked a few interesting things; the Hobgoblins, the Brothers of Serendipitous Meetings, and so on.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are the two damned Gentlemen Callers?\u201d<\/p>\n

Apista didn\u2019t answer, of course. She waited, lowering herself down as Niers climbed onto her back. The Ashfire Bee was a foot long. Niers was six inches. He could actually ride<\/em> her around, and she was strong enough to fly with him on her.<\/p>\n

She took off, and Niers reflected it was a novel solution to the Fraerling\u2019s issues of travel. Two issues?<\/p>\n

One, Apista was hot.<\/em> Not in a good way either; the bee\u2019s natural temperatures were way above what any insect should survive. Magical creatures. Niers needed a saddle. Especially because of point two\u2014<\/p>\n

The buzzing wings generated a hefty backdraft, so Niers clung to her fuzzy body as bits of pollen made his legs sticky. He cursed as she flew down from the beams.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou stupid bee! I told you to watch out! Watch out<\/em>. Don\u2019t fly like normal! I\u2019m\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Apista did a barrel roll. Niers bit off a shout as he clung<\/em> to her. To Imani, walking out of the kitchen with some food for the table, she just saw Apista doing a cute little twist and turn as she flew towards the Garden of Sanctuary.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou stupid bee!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Niers bellow-whispered as they flew into the Garden of Sanctuary. Apista was much hurt. This was not a nurturing relationship! The little man that Mrsha seemed to admire didn\u2019t have much respect for her. Still, she obediently ferried him to his secret home in the jungle biome. Niers landed on one of the trees, walked over to the hollowed-out home Mrsha had helped him make, and promptly threw up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026have never had a flight that bad in ten years.\u201d<\/p>\n

He told Apista. It was true; all the birds Niers rode around for fast-travel in Baleros did not spin<\/em> or corkscrew, or for the joy of it, fly all the way up to the dome, stop flying, and dive-bomb towards the grass and level off just a second before impact.<\/p>\n

Apista flew like a drunk albatross. She looked hurt, so Niers eventually relented.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, bug\u2026do bees even eat this? I know wasps do. Damn bastards.\u201d<\/p>\n

The bee could get behind that sentiment. She delicately edged over and had some of the honey and bread Mrsha had smuggled out for Niers. It was good, especially since Niers had his pick<\/em> of succulents.<\/p>\n

Salami, six varieties of cheese, pizza, lasagna, eight different fish dishes, ice cream\u2014although that had melted\u2014nineteen flavors of drink\u2026<\/p>\n

Most of the hollowed-out space in the tree was just food, and cotton stolen from a pillow that Niers had used as bedding and pillows. He didn\u2019t need more and this was heavenly<\/em> after the High Passes.<\/p>\n

Also, he had a lot of food because he was a Fraerling and Mrsha could steal crumbs and feed him for a week. She\u2019d gone a bit overboard, but then, Niers had gone overboard in feasting after he\u2019d woken up to find his fortunes had finally changed for the better.<\/p>\n

His arm still hurt, but he was taking it easy and it was still braced. A few more days and maybe a bit more healing potion would see it right. Niers sighed and sat down. He saw two little Gnolls race into the [Garden of Sanctuary] after a second. A pair of Fortress Beavers watched as the ball shot around the garden, bouncing off the grassy hill, rolling into the mushroom biome\u2026Apista nibbled as Niers murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cFortress Beavers, Ashfire Bee, a magical garden. Some place, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

Apista wiggled her antennae at him. Which reminded Niers. He grunted as he got up and rummaged around the makeshift home.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the strangest animal here by far<\/em>, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked hurt\u2014right up until he pulled out the tiny spliff he\u2019d cut from the larger one. He handed one to her and the two began to smoke.<\/p>\n

A bee that stole and hoarded dreamleaf. Niers puffed away as Apista lit both with a few flaps of her wings and some ignition from her body. He eyed the bee as she inhaled the fumes.<\/p>\n

\u201cTolerable.\u201d<\/p>\n

He had to admit it. Niers began planning his next move, a lot more comfortable than he should have been.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sound of children playing was odd in The Wandering Inn. Was it\u2026too soon?<\/p>\n

Perhaps. Joseph didn\u2019t air the thought, yet he let it ride as Ekirra and Mrsha played. Visma had joined them too.<\/p>\n

It might have been Imani shared the sentiment, because she\u2019d exiled them to the Garden. The lower garden of course; they\u2019d never climb up the hill.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

She greeted him with a smile. He tried to answer her. Imani clearly made an effort to smile. Why shouldn\u2019t he try?<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Imani. Uh\u2014how are things?\u201d<\/p>\n

It was about as bad a question as you could get. How are things?<\/em> Yet Imani took it in stride, briskly handing him a plate with delicious smells wafting from it.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. I\u2019ve got work in fifteen minutes. Your food\u2019s hot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not for you. That\u2019s for Kevin. Take it to him, would you? He never showed for dinner so I think he\u2019s passed out in his shop in Esthelm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph lamely re-covered the plate. Imani smiled again and he reflected she\u2019d<\/em> stepped up to her responsibilities.<\/p>\n

Perhaps it was teaching [Cooks]. Perhaps that was who Imani had been before trauma and Crelers. The inn had given her back her life and confidence.<\/p>\n

Plus, a boyfriend. Palt nodded at Joseph, eyes knowing. Joseph felt it odd that he was used to seeing a giant Centaur trotting about and giving Imani a peck on the cheek.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Imani, verdant bloom of the jungles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou told me all of Baleros\u2019 most vivid flowers are poisonous, Palt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEr, so I did. Late night, Joseph? Need a pick-me-up?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Illusionist] and [Smoker] could definitely tell. Joseph grinned lamely.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a potion, thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCigar?\u201d<\/p>\n

Imani swatted it down. Joseph hadn\u2019t been sure he\u2019d have taken it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you, it\u2019s unhealthy, Palt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I told you, that\u2019s what [Healers] and potions are for.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Centaur was unmoved. Also, Joseph knew everyone save for Galina had tried or used Palt\u2019s cigars from time to time.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least not when you\u2019re eating. It ruins the taste! I have to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s looking after Mrsha?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph hesitated, pointing to the three playing kids in the open door. Imani glanced at him quizzically.<\/p>\n

\u201cIshkr.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, right.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was that. Imani left, briskly, not unfriendly at all, with Palt in tow. Joseph looked at the food, headed for the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoing somewhere, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n

A surly Gnoll greeted him. She was shorter as Gnolls went, and had the barest attempt at a smile on her face.<\/p>\n

\u201cEr\u2014Liska? I\u2019d like to go to Esthelm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight away, sir<\/em>. Will you be returning soon? I will check for you in ten minutes, then. Have a lovely day.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

She said it in the tone that indicated her older brother had been lecturing her about proper service. She was in charge of the door, though, and Imani and Palt were already in Liscor. Joseph trotted through, thinking.<\/p>\n

Imani had made it and seemed to have no regrets. Erin and Ryoka were the examples to look up to. In the same way\u2026<\/p>\n

Kevin was indeed asleep at his desk. He sat up as Joseph opened the door to the back room of Solar Cycles.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Majesty, I\u2019m aw\u2014<\/em>oh. Hey, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph would have laughed\u2014but that was the eighth time Kevin had done that. Joseph offered the covered plate and Kevin\u2019s eyes widened.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it breakfast already? Dude, thank you. I must have dozed off and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

He lamely indicated his desk. Lamely, but not to Joseph. The sheets of orders tacked to the walls, the schedule<\/em> Kevin had drawn up, not to mention the fact that he was keeping inventory, working on new blueprints for the bicycles, and essentially starting a business by himself with international clients was\u2026amazing. Joseph handed Kevin the tray and saw how hungry the young man was.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo problem, Kevin. How\u2019s business?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re getting more [Smiths] to work on the mundane bikes. This is so good. Imani\u2019s like, a saint. Sorry, I haven\u2019t eaten all day! I mean, yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph rubbed at his head, repeating himself. He was definitely out of sorts today. Perhaps it was the comparisons.<\/p>\n

It was a bad idea to compare yourself against people. Especially in this inn, but in general. Even after Erin had\u2026well, it was comparisons that haunted Joseph, he realized.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can take your other plates and stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDude. Appreciated. I can get them though\u2026I just have work and a meeting in like\u2014uh\u2014what\u2019s the time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a problem. Do your thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph grabbed a stack of six plates and cutlery. Kevin gave him a grateful look.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re awesome, man.\u201d<\/p>\n

No, you are.<\/em> Joseph saw Kevin gobbling his food. He had a meeting with Pelt in a few minutes, and he\u2019d be negotiating with a [Merchant] later today.<\/p>\n

Kevin\u2019s strengths were his ability to get along with people, his knowledge of how to run a shop, write a ledger, and frankly, knowing how a bicycle worked.<\/em> The fact that he could get along with Pelt,<\/em> the Dwarf [Smith] who was cantankerous as any old man Joseph had met, was amazing.<\/p>\n

A bit of Erin in him. By the same token, Imani\u2019s skills were managing a kitchen\u2019s supplies, cooking of course, teaching<\/em>, and having sex with horse-guys.<\/p>\n

Joseph thought about that last part. He slapped the side of his head in an unfriendly way. That hurt. Seriously though, how did\u2026?<\/p>\n

As he trotted back through the doorway, Liska wrinkled her nose at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter put those to be washed. I guess I<\/em> have to do it. Don\u2019t eat anything off them until they\u2019re scrubbed, though. One of them has mold on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Thank you, Liska. Er\u2014thanks for getting the door, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

He only remembered to thank her this time. She growled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yet she looked a bit mollified. Joseph wanted to remember to do things as mundane as thank people for making breakfast and so on.<\/p>\n

\u2026But he was not a Kevin. Not an Imani, either.<\/p>\n

He was not<\/em> a Leon or Troy, he was pretty sure. That was a low bar, though. However, Joseph could look at himself and find less amiability than Kevin. A bit more xenophobia, like seeing Palt and Imani together and wondering\u2026did they have sex?<\/em> More envy, oh yes. Less control with things like drinking.<\/p>\n

Less of being the good, or decent person he\u2019d thought he always was.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Imani had put out food for Joseph. A very fine\u2026Joseph\u2019s face fell.<\/p>\n

It hadn\u2019t occurred to him as Kevin ate to note breakfast. The [Engineer] had made it vanish instantly, anyways.<\/p>\n

Breakfast was pincho<\/em>, pincho de tortilla, a potato omelette from Spain. Nostalgic, and Joseph realized he must have mentioned it to Imani. Thus, the [Chef] had taken the time to make it for him.<\/p>\n

He ate it, savoring each nostalgic bite and felt worse. Comparisons haunted Joseph. For instance, as mentioned, it wasn\u2019t just Imani or Kevin that made you feel bad about yourself.<\/p>\n

Feeling proud of being able to bench a hundred and eighty pounds? Stare at the weight room list, or just watch Bezale work out in the mornings.<\/p>\n

Think you were good at chess? Play Bird or half of the Antinium. Bird had somehow evolved to the point where he had once beaten Joseph while never looking at the chessboard. He\u2019d learned it from Erin, of course.<\/p>\n

Think you know misery?<\/em> Mrsha, Ryoka, and half the inn could tell you about real<\/em> trauma.<\/p>\n

Of course, all this was a futile effort to begin with. Everyone had their strengths and weaknesses. Each person was able to do something the others were not, and etcetera, etcetera, value yourself. Joseph knew that.<\/p>\n

It was just\u2026Joseph finished his breakfast, excitement turning to glumness again. He could wait no longer, though. The sun was rising, the morning begun\u2026he stood, stretched, and saw the little Gnoll race into the common room. Ekirra had smelled he was here, of course.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Mister Coach Joseph! Are we going to practice?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph tried to smile. He fooled Ekirra as Visma and Mrsha watched. The little Gnoll boy, like Mrsha, disdained clothes. Yet he had on the jersey of Liscor\u2019s Flood Crabs and his number, 3, hand-stitched to the back. He looked excited, as a member of the Little Crabs team should be.<\/p>\n

The young man sighed, and nodded. He and Ekirra got to work. The [Kicker], Joseph Ortega, headed outside to start his day.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joseph was a Level 11 [Kicker]. Here were some facts for you: he had [Lesser Dexterity], [Lesser Endurance], [Power Kick], [Accelerated Sprint]\u2026<\/p>\n

And his latest Skill was green.<\/em><\/p>\n

It was nothing special as green Skills went. At least, Joseph didn\u2019t think so.<\/p>\n

[Pinpoint Distance Kick]<\/span>. As the fabled new Skills went\u2026it was not an [Immortal Moment]. However, it stood out to Joseph because it was new.<\/em><\/p>\n

Thus, no one had ever needed or gained a Skill like this before. A Skill for a game, not battle.<\/p>\n

Football. Which made sense when you thought about it. [Pinpoint Distance Shot<\/em>] was probably some [Archer] Skill that combined range and accuracy, very necessary. Who needed to kick a rubber ball that far, though?<\/p>\n

A good player, that was who. Joseph was proud of that. He greeted both teams. Forty six<\/em> players stared at him.<\/p>\n

Twenty three per team. Adults and children, made up of Gnolls, Drakes, and three Humans not including him.<\/p>\n

Yes, only eleven players on each team could take to the field at one time. However, substitutions were important and the standard from Joseph\u2019s world meant he\u2019d suggested a limit of twenty three.<\/p>\n

Because he\u2019d said it, it was now law.<\/em> The [Kicker] saw children and adults staring at him, all wearing the jerseys, all ready to start practicing.<\/p>\n

It was eerie. Joseph had been a dedicated part of his football team. Yet if he thought high school and middle school dedication was one thing\u2014these players were even more driven.<\/p>\n

They were never late. He had to tell them to go back if they were sick or worn out. They\u2019d play even if they really injured themselves and they trained<\/em> without complaint. Because they were leveling. Because\u2014this was a career.<\/p>\n

Football had come to Liscor. They were practicing on the vast, flattened land that Hexel had smoothed for them, kept clear of monsters by the Watch. Liscor\u2019s Council had even paid Viceria to regrow all the grass for a proper turf instead of waiting.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood to see you all. You know the drill! Let\u2019s warm up!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph was not an expert. He had cobbled together team\u2019s training menu from memory. Thus, each day, the Flood Crabs and Little Crabs warmed up the same way.<\/p>\n

Jog, first. They ran around Liscor, even the kids doing a lap. The adults were encouraged to run in their own time. Not just run, though; they did all the exercises that an athlete had to perform, which had elicited sniggers the first few weeks.<\/p>\n

Not now. Now? [Guards] waved down at the players, shouting encouragement. Some civilians did the same, and kids copied the pro-team, looking envious or hoping Joseph would see talent there.<\/p>\n

Ekirra ran with the younger players, having learned to walk on two legs just so he could jog along. Forwards, backwards\u2014and that was the start.<\/p>\n

After the lap, they did side shuffles. Skipping, kicks, high knees, hops\u2026exercises designed to build flexibility and muscle. Joseph made everyone stretch, and only after nearly thirty minutes of warming up did they even get to the practice.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, Flood Crabs\u2014relays! Little Crabs, let\u2019s start with passing.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was only one Joseph and since Kevin and Rose were now busy, he alternated the physical training with technical. The adults knew the score and set up; they ran from one line to another, turning around and racing back the way they\u2019d came.<\/p>\n

Suicides were another word for the exercise, although the first time he\u2019d used that term, Joseph had caused a small incident, so he called it \u2018relays\u2019 instead. Meanwhile, the Little Crabs were practicing passing. They\u2019d long since graduated from just kicking the balls back and forth. These days, they had to dribble and pass between each other, faster and faster, over longer distances.<\/p>\n

Joseph watched approvingly as the Little Crabs practiced. They were good. Better than he\u2019d been at their age? Well\u2026not in control.<\/p>\n

Ekirra kicked a bit too hard and a Drake ran off after the ball. However, he\u2019d had only a month or two to play! His ears flattened and he shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Coach!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fine. Don\u2019t worry, that\u2019s why we\u2019re practicing.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was what Joseph thought was \u2018too serious\u2019. Ekirra looked afraid he\u2019d be kicked off the team for one mistake! Joseph knew there were tough coaches; he\u2019d had one for middle school. He didn\u2019t want to be that.<\/p>\n

He watched with half an eye, then turned to the Flood Crabs.<\/p>\n

\u201cUsh! You\u2019re going faster.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Gnoll about Joseph\u2019s age stopped and grinned. He was sprinting<\/em> the relays and Joseph knew he couldn\u2019t match that.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Joseph. Got [Quick Movement] last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t say? That\u2019s great. We\u2019ll see how this changes you on offense.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ush was a second striker, but given his new Skill, Joseph might have to try him in a winger or the main striker position. Skills changed how football was played in so many ways.<\/p>\n

In more ways than one.<\/em> Joseph let the Flood Crabs build their muscles; Skills changed things, but they could multiply hard work rather than just replace it. He watched the Little Crabs go from passes to trying to score on the goalkeeper gamely blocking their shots.<\/p>\n

Something was apparent, though. The Little Crabs were behind the Flood Crab team because they were children and the adults could practice longer and picked up advanced techniques, despite the motivation and enthusiasm of kids. Coordination was lacking; that was fine. They\u2019d play against kids their age.<\/p>\n

However, Ekirra kept messing up. Eight times, he missed a pass, and a Gnoll or Drake or the only Human girl would go running after the ball he kicked too hard.<\/p>\n

\u201cEkirra, take a break. What\u2019s wrong? Are you trying to kick less hard?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph flagged him down after the last cycle, where Ekirra\u2019s kick had actually missed the goal and gone off nearly a hundred paces\u2014too far right.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Coach. My aim\u2019s bad. I wanted to practice with Mrsha, but I can\u2019t hit the goal. Please don\u2019t kick me off the team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ekirra\u2019s ears were flat and he looked like he\u2019d cry if Joseph did. The young man squatted down, patting Ekirra\u2019s shoulder reassuringly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t do that. You\u2019re fast, you work hard\u2026you pass really well!\u201d<\/p>\n

Besides, Ekirra had helped start<\/em> football in this world. Joseph wouldn\u2019t cut him no matter what, and if that was favoritism, so be it. He looked at Ekirra. The kid didn\u2019t take the game lightly\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cHas something changed?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s\u2026my Skill.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph blinked. Ekirra glanced up with one huge, brown eye and kicked the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got a Skill?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep. I\u2019m Level 5<\/em> now. And I got [Lesser Strength]. But I can\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph stared as Ekirra babbled nervously. He looked at the ball Ekirra had blasted<\/em> past the goal. Then he started laughing. Ekirra looked terrified until Joseph ruffled the fur on the top of his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not a problem. Say it earlier! You just need more practice. Come on, we\u2019ll have you get your aim back in. Flood Crabs! Let\u2019s do our practice! Little Crabs\u2014relays! <\/em>Metas, you and Ekirra will do some passing practice!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How fast they improved. Joseph felt better as Ekirra brightened up and he was soon working with the adults.<\/p>\n

Now they<\/em> were good. No basic passes with them; Joseph was teaching them tricks. Proper headers, how to evade someone trying to steal the ball while dribbling\u2026was it too soon for two month players?<\/p>\n

The answer was no. Joseph had the ball stolen from him twice when he ran demonstrations despite his best attempts.<\/p>\n

\u201cSkills!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ush grinned at him; Joseph had lost the ball despite trying to show off the evasive trick where the ball seemed to stick to your feet as you rotated around someone.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust do that in the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph grinned, and the players nodded. They had a lot of respect, even the ones who were older than Joseph by nearly a decade. He\u2019d been worried, but again, Erin Solstice had laid down the path for this.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooking good! How about a game?\u201d<\/p>\n

Two hours in, the teams looked up excitedly. They were tired, but stamina potions put them right back in the mood for a game.<\/em> Joseph selected teams, trying to balance them, putting substitutes against regular players, mixing up the standards.<\/p>\n

Testing out new Skills, too.<\/em> Ekirra wasn\u2019t the only player who got new Skills regularly. Ush was a main striker for the first game, then a winger. Ekirra got to take main striker and scored six<\/em> times in the first game.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll goalie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph took over for the poor Drake boy who had to try to block the overpowered kicks. Not only that; the football curved<\/em> as one Drake booted it towards Joseph. He dove\u2014caught it.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot bad! What is that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c[Homing Kick], Coach!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s great. Let\u2019s see you do that after a pass in, though. Don\u2019t just run at me; surprise me! Even if it curves, I can get it. Who\u2019s got [Flash Kick]? Let\u2019s set up a combo!\u201d<\/p>\n

That was fun. Yes, it did feel a bit\u2026overpowered. Especially when Joseph had to block an Ekirra-kick that hurt<\/em>. It was like someone ten years older smashing the ball at him!<\/p>\n

It made the game more fun, though.<\/em> Joseph glanced up as a roar came from the other pitch.<\/p>\n

\u201cCoach! How are we supposed to stop that?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Ush bellowed, pointing angrily up. Joseph saw the Human goalkeeper, a brawny guy called Elmoin, angrily punch the wooden goalpost. It looked like four goals from Team A on Team B\u2026all due to a single player.<\/p>\n

\u201cLemiss! Over here! Both teams, take a break! Drink some water\u2014and get a snack! Menua, take over as goalie for me? Little Crabs, don\u2019t kick the ball into her face! I\u2019m looking at you, Ekirra!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The others did just that. And the main striker, the MVP of the Flood Crabs\u2026flew down to talk with Joseph.<\/p>\n

Lemiss was an Oldblood Drake. She was one of two fliers on the team, and had just enabled her team to score four times in a row, kicking the ball in from the air.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not that she scores, Coach. But how are we supposed to stop<\/em> her when someone passes to her in the air?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ush complained. Joseph saw the problem. Honestly\u2026aerial passes were not a problem that occurred on Earth. Yet he\u2019d brought football to this world, and now the fliers wanted to play.<\/p>\n

How did you stop a pass to the air?<\/em> Lemiss had cheerfully shot the ball down to her teammates, effectively letting them cross the field without a chance of interruption.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s bad enough when half the team are fliers. They just pass from air to air and we have to make sure they never get it or bet on our fliers intercepting. But with Lemiss and Rells\u2026and no one else with us\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph\u2019s arms were folded and he was nodding. Both Oldblood Drakes had been on Team A, a miscalculation on his part.<\/p>\n

The rest of the Flood Crabs drifted over, with water and snacks in their claws, paws, or hands. All provided courtesy of Liscor\u2019s [Shopkeepers] of course. They wanted to support their team. They wanted to win.<\/em> This was something for Liscor to be proud of. Best soccer team in Izril. And they were playing other cities too! Joseph felt a pang\u2026but concentrated on the issue.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe took Pallass in the first game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone nodded proudly at that. Broadcast across the world! Over three hundred thousand gold pieces\u2019 worth of bets, or so Joseph had been told. A lot<\/em> of money made because Liscor had hosted the game, and merchandise sold? Not to mention being the stars of their team. All of it was great.<\/p>\n

It hadn\u2019t been easy, though. Joseph pointed out the obvious he\u2019d gotten from his post-mortems.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe won that game because Pallass had far worse technique than ours. They had great<\/em> Skills and team players\u2014no cohesion. Their aerial game let them score, but if we kept the ball on the ground, we ran circles around them. The tradeoff with an aerial team is they have to take off and commit to the air. They mess up, they expose themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

Literally. It was 17-6; a slaughter. Ush and the others nodded, smiling, but Lemiss raised a claw.<\/p>\n

\u201cCoach\u2026what if they get better, though? Rells and I can actually pass across the field if we do it right. With Pallass in the air\u2026they could strike on the goal without ever touching the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was true. Joseph hesitated.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the solution here? Get your players Rings of Jumping? Have them do some kind of trick where two of them throw a third up to intercept?<\/em><\/p>\n

All those ideas sounded impractical. Unbalanced towards a flying opponent. In the end, Joseph exhaled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I know what it has to be. This is uh, a Human game mostly. So fliers weren\u2019t ever something we really considered. We\u2026banned flying spells and magic, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other players nodded. Casual pickup games could use magic, but any real<\/em> game was only Skills, no artifacts or enchantments. Joseph went on, uncertain, but feeling his way through.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor a flying opponent\u2026it\u2019s totally unbalanced if they can score with impunity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lemiss and Rells looked worried. Did they think they were going to be cut? Joseph hurried on.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I think the way it should be is this: limits on passes. Only one<\/em> aerial pass is allowed; not consecutive passes from air-to-air players. Also\u2014we\u2019re implementing a rule from another sport. No aerial player can be passed<\/em> to or shoot ahead of a ground player. It\u2019s not much, but it means they can\u2019t just skim around and use that to their advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about shooting on the goal? Rells just hovered next to the goal and kicked it in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Then we\u2019ll have a minimum distance on flying players.\u201d<\/p>\n

That seemed fair. Joseph saw Rells and Lemiss nodding in relief. He clapped his hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s try it out! Give me Lemiss and Rells on one team again, and pass to them! Really try to drive an edge over a ground-based team. Go!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It worked. Of course, they had to tweak things, but the new rules radically limited the edge flight could give a player. It was also still risky to shoot to a flying player; if you prevented them from \u2018juggling\u2019 the ball in the air, they had to instantly<\/em> pass it down to another player like a ping pong ball, which meant interceptions were far easier.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, it added to the sport, not detracted. Joseph was smiling as he and the Flood Crabs analyzed the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think these rules work! We\u2019ll practice under them, but remember\u2014those aren\u2019t the rules for the games. We need to see if the other teams agree to adopt them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Why do we have to do that? Coach?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lemiss stared at Joseph. He hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey might not agree.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you\u2019re Joseph. <\/em>You introduced the game! Just tell them the new rules\u2014I bet there are those spies watching and passing them on as we speak!\u201d<\/p>\n

So saying, Ush gestured with one paw towards a hill in the distance. Joseph looked and saw someone duck down. He stood there, and felt it again.<\/p>\n

Joseph the Soccer Player.<\/em> Thanks, Erin. Yet still. Joseph. He wasn\u2019t the person who\u2019d written the rules on the game. He was<\/em> the game. The young man looked around.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Well, I guess those are the rules.\u201d<\/p>\n

His team cheered him. The [Kicker] felt his back itching. Presently, to get rid of it, because he\u2019d been watching the game he loved, he made a suggestion.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we play a game? I\u2019ll join Team A, though. I want to try my<\/em> new Skill.\u201d<\/p>\n

They cheered that. Joseph grinned, and his team began wrangling to play with their coach or against, depending on their personalities.<\/p>\n

That was his first, real, mistake of the day.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joseph tried his [Pinpoint Distance Kick] and watched Elmoin\u2019s eyes go wide. He heard the epithet even across the football pitch.<\/p>\n

A longer pitch, incidentally. Nearly twice<\/em> as long. That was due to Skills; players like Ush meant it was justified. As well as a goal one point five times larger. Harder to defend? Oh yes.<\/p>\n

Still, the Human [Blocker], who had actually been a [Shield Warrior] before changing careers and coming to Liscor, had the time to activate a Skill.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Static Shield]!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

A light, azure force field blocked the upper-right corner and the hammer shot Joseph had launched from across<\/em> the entire field at commendable velocity\u2014bounced<\/em>. At the same time, the [Static Shield] broke.<\/p>\n

With a surprisingly crisp shattering sound. Elmoin\u2019s Skill\u2014the reason Joseph had taken him as a goalkeeper\u2014created a shield that stayed in the air wherever he wanted. His was about as tough as thick glass, though; it could block a strike or a few arrows, but it wasn\u2019t as strong as higher-level Skills.<\/p>\n

Great for football. Joseph groaned as Elmoin booted the ball to another player.<\/p>\n

\u201cCheap shot, Coach!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Lemiss laughed as she flew out on defense. Joseph grinned. He ran across the field. No [Quick Movement], but [Accelerated Sprint] was good\u2014even if he was tired. Still, he had [Lesser Dexterity], [Lesser Endurance]. If he had Ekirra\u2019s Skills?<\/p>\n

He found himself coming up against Rells, on the ground. The Drake had dodged two players. Joseph slid in, snagged the ball. He began dribbling it forwards, looking for a pass. He wasn\u2019t going to grandstand like the first game where he\u2019d been the ace. H\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Coach!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ush stole the ball in a blur. Joseph cursed, but aborted the pithy words when he saw Ekirra and the Little Crabs watching the adults, learning. The little Gnoll\u2019s ears were perked and he stared at his hero.<\/p>\n

\u201cNice job! Get back here!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ush laughed. So did the other players vying for the ball; Lemiss got it in a diving kick that caught the Gnoll by surprise.<\/p>\n

They loved the game. They took it seriously, they liked to level and they knew this might be a career for life. Ekirra\u2019s parents had high hopes in him, which was why they\u2019d enrolled him. Ekirra, leveling up at his age?<\/em> They were beyond proud and encouraging.<\/p>\n

\u201cCoach!\u201d<\/p>\n

Lemiss passed. Joseph spun, caught the ball, headed towards Elmoin for a rematch.<\/p>\n

He never made it. A second player, Maun, a female Gnoll, snagged the ball. Joseph lashed out\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201c[Flash Kick]!\u201d<\/p>\n

At least knock it out of bounds, despite the kick. Or someone else would get it! Maun\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201c[Evasive Maneuver]! Whoa! Scary, Coach!\u201d<\/p>\n

Dodged.<\/em> And took the ball with her! It jumped<\/em> Joseph\u2019s foot. He sprinted after her, snagged it back. He was running in the clear now, as other players blocked Team B. He saw Ush coming from the side, but Joseph adjusted his body. They were going to vie for the ball and he was nearly ready to score.<\/p>\n

He had [Power Kick]<\/em> waiting.<\/em> Joseph took the ball around him. He juked, feinting left\u2014<\/p>\n

Ush stole the ball again. He zoomed past Joseph, looking delighted. The young man slowed. Then he felt it.<\/p>\n

I am outmatched.<\/em><\/p>\n

It was a realization. Not a question or suspicion. He\u2019d gotten the ball thanks to being passed to, but even as he ran back to position, he saw it.<\/p>\n

Felt it. Joseph lost the ball six more times. He shot twice on goal. Both times blocked.<\/p>\n

It was like the one time a college player had decided to bully the high school team. He\u2019d walked onto the pitch and stolen every ball, scored with every shot. Faster, stronger\u2014<\/p>\n

More than that, better at the game.<\/em> Talented enough to win a scholarship. It was that last which Joseph felt now.<\/p>\n

Ush was one of twenty three players in Liscor, male and female, chosen for the team. Joseph had picked him during the try-outs for his ability to snag the ball like that. When he\u2019d been teaching them, Joseph had run rings around an amateur. Now?<\/p>\n

It was like trying to dodge a hurricane which snagged the ball each time. Trying to steal the ball back? Like trying to kick a spider dancing on a silken thread in the wind. The ball disappeared<\/em> left, or right, and Ush grinned at Joseph as the young man slowed again.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop taking it easy on us, Coach! Or we\u2019ll get big heads!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAha. I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

They were moving too fast for Joseph to finish. Which was good because he didn\u2019t have anything to say. That was what hurt most, by the by.<\/p>\n

They thought he was better and holding back.<\/em> The Flood Crabs looked at Joseph, teasing, admiring, after the game ended. Team A won despite Joseph, and they laughed.<\/p>\n

Look at that. Taking it easy on us to show us it\u2019s a team effort.<\/em> Joseph could almost hear their thoughts as Lemiss joked with Ush. He smiled, unable, afraid to tell them the truth. He stood there, Joseph the Soccer Player.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s it for today. Good hustle, team. I\u2014oh?\u201d<\/p>\n

Some of the audience who\u2019d come out to watch had flooded the field at this. Joseph saw an excited young woman, Human, thrust out something towards him.<\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me\u2014I\u2019m a huge fan. Can I get an autograph?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey! You can\u2019t just bother the coach! No civilians on the field!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ush looked outraged. Joseph saw the young woman\u2019s face fall. He took the quill.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fine this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Coach. We should really get security. You\u2019re too popular. We are going to crush<\/em> Invrisil in the next game!\u201d<\/p>\n

A player grinned at Joseph as the lucky autographee was escorted away with the other civilians begging autographs or wanting to talk. Joseph stood there. Trying to smile.<\/p>\n

And they wonder why I drink. Damn me. Why do I have to be so jealous? So petty?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see you all tomorrow. Hope you all level.\u201d<\/p>\n

He turned to the team. Ush grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just did yesterday. But here\u2019s hoping. Level 17 [Kicker]!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnoll of Joseph\u2019s age offered a paw to high-five. Joseph\u2026felt his petty evil welling in his heart. So he betrayed them before lunch time. He was sorry.<\/p>\n

Yet he was a Joseph. Not a Kevin. Let alone an Erin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf such rank and injust betrayal of all I held dear, my heart could only twist and break and grieve for the goodness now wronged before mine eyes.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 –Mrsha the Grieving, in regards to the time Numbtongue ate her lemon tart.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Ekirra loved soccer. Soccer was fun. Soccer was life.<\/p>\n

He got to level<\/em> because of soccer. No one had higher levels than he did! Mrsha said<\/em> she did, but she lied all the time about stuff.<\/p>\n

His parents were really happy about it too. They\u2019d bought him his jersey, and Coach Joseph was great. He was bouncing his personal soccer ball with his team as they chattered on the way through the south gate\u2014then Ekirra\u2019s eyes went wide.<\/p>\n

\u201cI forgot my belt pouch!\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019d left it in the inn when he went to practice with Mrsha before practice with the team! He\u2019d been so nervous that Coach Joseph would be mad. He looked around.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can take your ball, Ekirra.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the Gnolls who lived on his street offered. He handed it to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks! And my jersey? Don\u2019t get it dirty!\u201d<\/p>\n

Sweat didn\u2019t count, or dirt from the pitch. That was good mess<\/em>. His teammate, Cheka, sniffed at him. She knew that! Ekirra scampered on all fours back the way he\u2019d come\u2014then remembered and began to jog on two legs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are you going little fellow? Practice has ended, right? We don\u2019t want you getting hurt before your game with Esthelm in two days!\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the big [Guards] at the gate stopped Ekirra. He pointed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI forgot my belt pouch at the inn.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Guardsman] glanced at his companions.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. Hm. Why don\u2019t you use the door instead? Safer that way. We patrol, but there\u2019s always the Razorbeaks who\u2019ll go after kids\u2014and the Shield Spiders.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo chance of a Razorbeak with Bird the [Hunter] watching the skies.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the Drakes snorted. The Gnoll shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to explain to Captain Z? I\u2019ll take you to the magic door. Ekirra, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

The little Gnoll nodded gravely. Guards were always right, or so his parents told him. It would take longer, but then they asked for his autograph.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you score in the game, we\u2019ll all buy you a treat! Best of luck!\u201d<\/p>\n

They were nice. Ekirra took the big Gnoll\u2019s paw and they hurried to the magic door. By the time they got there\u2026Mrsha was gone. So was Visma.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Visma has gone back to Liscor. I don\u2019t know\u2026where Mrsha is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ishkr frowned around. He was responsible since Miss Erin was hurt. Up to a point; he let Mrsha \u2018play\u2019 with Ulvama and kept regular tabs on her as Lyonette had asked, but Mrsha could evade everyone but Erin when she wanted to. Ekirra nodded gravely. Ishkr sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will go look for her. Here are your belongings.\u201d<\/p>\n

He handed Ekirra the belt pouch. Ekirra thanked him as the [Guardsman], satisfied, stepped back through the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood luck in your games!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ekirra waved. He was going to go back\u2014but now he needed to pee.<\/p>\n

Three minutes later (it was poo), Ekirra opened the door of the outhouse and padded out. He sneezed a few times; it was always stinky. Then he headed back for the door to Liscor. He would have gone straight home<\/em>, too.<\/p>\n

But for Joseph. Ekirra smelled him first, naturally. He was about to ask Joseph if there was anything he should practice and how good he\u2019d done! His tail wagged as he pursued Joseph towards the magic door, now placed in the portal room just off the side of the long hallway with the secret spying holes Mrsha had showed him.<\/p>\n

\u201cCoach J\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph didn\u2019t hear him. Ekirra stopped as he realized Joseph had changed clothing. He\u2019d washed himself, and changed out of the jersey of the Liscor Flood Crabs, which made sense.<\/p>\n

\u2026So why was he wearing another jersey?<\/em> Yellow and black, like Apista?<\/p>\n

Ekirra came to a halt. Joseph headed through the open door, into a sunlit city that smelled like a thousand things. Broad streets, amazing architecture. Ekirra recognized it at a moment\u2019s glance.<\/p>\n

Pallass.<\/em> The little Gnoll stared at Joseph. It could not be. It wasn\u2019t\u2014he saw Liska move to close the door. Without a moment\u2019s thought, Ekirra ran after Joseph. He leapt through the closing checkpoint gate, opened for Joseph, and heard the shout from the [Guards]. Then he was in the street, following Joseph, running from the angry Watch. It couldn\u2019t be.<\/p>\n

It couldn\u2019t be, but he had to know. Not the most heinous thing. Not Coach Joseph. He couldn\u2019t be\u2026coaching another team?<\/em><\/p>\n

He ran a total of five steps before a claw caught him, of course.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The great betrayer walked through the streets of Pallass. Joseph, the sellout! The traitor! The\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Coach of Liscor\u2019s team. I don\u2019t think we need to introduce him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not. Good to meet you, er\u2014Mister Joseph. Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

They called him sir. The Drake [Strategist] <\/em>had even asked for his autograph. But then, she was not Chaldion, far younger.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a pleasure to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph mumbled. He felt bad. Mrsha had given the Pallassian jersey a dirty look before she went through to Invrisil. Wait\u2014was she allowed to do that? Liska hadn\u2019t cared.<\/p>\n

Thoughts of Mrshas vanished as Joseph was introduced to two more players, and three financial backers, all of whom had been part of the group convincing him to teach Pallass\u2019 team.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re delighted you accepted our invitation to educate our team, Mister Ortega. What can we expect from you today?\u201d<\/p>\n

A Gnoll adjusted a monocle, much like Sir Relz. Joseph wondered if he was staring at his levels, but thanks to Erin and Ryoka, he was covered from appraisal and scrying. He seemed impressed with Joseph\u2019s reputation at any rate.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have a set plan, er, sir. I need to see where they\u2019re at before I can improve them. Also, there are some new rules I need to bring to Pallass\u2019 attention.\u201d<\/p>\n

That seemed to impress the cohort. They nodded; the [Strategist] consulted her notes.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh yes, the aerial rule amendment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know about that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph eyed her. She had the grace to look embarrassed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe intend to win the upcoming championship, Coach Joseph. Pallass won\u2019t make the same mistakes again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEspecially not with Joseph the Soccer Player giving Pallass\u2019 team his expert advice!\u201d<\/p>\n

Another Drake chimed in, and Joseph winced. For multiple reasons.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust remember, I\u2019m also advising Liscor and Invrisil\u2019s teams.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other faces fell. The Gnoll audibly whispered to a companion.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t manage to get an exclusive deal?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph sighed. If you were going to sell out, you might as well do it so multiple groups had an advantage. Also\u2014it was a lot of money.<\/p>\n

A lot of money.<\/p>\n

As in\u2026a lot of money. As in\u2026Joseph probably exceeded Solar Cycle\u2019s income at this moment. As in\u2026he just wasn\u2019t as principled as Kevin or Erin, he guessed.<\/p>\n

He was so swept up in all of the hustle and bustle as they took him to meet Pallass\u2019 team; handpicked twenty three, some former adventurers,<\/em> with dedicated family apartments, a huge salary, personal trainers, weights room, everything Liscor could dream of, yet they\u2019d still gotten their asses kicked, that Joseph didn\u2019t have time to really take in Pallass. He only looked around from the people asking him for autographs, a \u2018game plan\u2019 for Pallass\u2019 unique strategy, his take on the upcoming Liscor-Invrisil match, when he heard the commotion behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me go! Let me go! I\u2019m a Little Crab! Joseph is my coach! Not your stupid city\u2019s!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph\u2019s heart sank through his shoes. He turned and there was Ekirra. The little Gnoll stopped, stared at Joseph\u2019s jersey, and looked like he was about to cry.<\/p>\n

\u201cJ-Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

The sheer look of betrayal hurt more than it should. Joseph opened his mouth\u2014then noticed the wall<\/em> of muscle holding Ekirra.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis little Gnoll slipped in past you. Joseph, isn\u2019t it? We clearly need to update the security system, although I\u2019m pleased the ward spells didn\u2019t blast him to pieces. So there is that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grimalkin of Pallass held Ekirra by one huge claw. The [Sinew Magus], the most built<\/em> Drake that Joseph had ever seen, looked down at Joseph, face impassive. Joseph looked at Ekirra. The little brown Gnoll stared at him. He looked at the bemused backers of the team, the [Strategist], two of the players, and bellowed one word.<\/p>\n

\u201cTraitor!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joseph sat in the office Pallass had given him, even if he was splitting his time between three teams now.<\/p>\n

Ekirra hit him. Joseph didn\u2019t move. Ekirra punched his leg. Joseph let him. Ekirra opened his mouth\u2014and someone stopped him from biting.<\/p>\n

\u201cListen, Ekirra, is it? There\u2019s nothing wrong with this young man teaching multiple teams. He is not a player.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Drake with wings tried to explain to Ekirra. He let go of the Gnoll as Ekirra twisted to bite; the football player backed off as Ekirra spat, looking at Joseph.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can\u2019t teach you! He\u2019s Liscor\u2019s<\/em> coach. It\u2019s not right!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cListen. Let\u2019s try to be mature about this\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Good luck with Ekirra. Joseph rubbed at his aching leg as Ekirra spat, keeping the other players from grabbing him with the power of expectoration. Besides which, \u2018be mature about this\u2019? If Joseph heard a coach from his favorite team was teaching a rival on the side\u2026<\/p>\n

He understood how Liscor would feel, that was the point. Loyalty. It was just\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2026A lot of money. Joseph didn\u2019t have a bigger reason than that. However, ten thousand gold pieces for a month? And that was from Invrisil.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Ekirra. I\u2019m not taking sides. Nor am I coaching during the games. It\u2019s just\u2014a career. A really good deal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you liked us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ekirra stared up at Joseph. His eyes were round. Then hurt. Then\u2014he sat down and began to howl and cry.<\/p>\n

Joseph would have preferred being stabbed. That was how it felt. Imagine if his heroes had just sold out like that in front of him?<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should get this little Gnoll back home. The secret\u2019s out, but that won\u2019t compromise much more than the shock value\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake [Strategist] was trying to speak over the howls. She gestured and a Pallassian Guard reached for Ekirra.<\/p>\n

Joseph stopped the Drake. He bent down and picked Ekirra up. The Gnoll instantly went back to punching, but Joseph turned him around.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Ekirra. I am. I do like your team and I like Liscor. I hope you win and become a great f\u2014soccer player. I am teaching your team as best I can\u2014but Pallass offered me a lot of money.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cB-but\u2026don\u2019t you like<\/em> us?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnoll was snotting on Joseph\u2019s jersey. The young man didn\u2019t mind. He let Ekirra sniff.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do. Er\u2014but it was a lot<\/em> of money.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike\u2026a thousand gold coins?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Strategist] snorted. Joseph just nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ekirra calmed down a bit. He knew money mattered. He still looked hurt. Joseph looked at him. If this was home? He wondered if he had to worry about being jumped in a back alley. That\u2026might actually be an issue.<\/p>\n

He sat there, as Ekirra sniffed and blew his nose on the yellow jersey made with silk. Joseph looked at the waiting team, the [Strategist].<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the game, Ekirra. I can\u2019t be on the Liscorian team. I\u2019m not that good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Several incredulous snorts. Ekirra looked up at Joseph and the young man\u2019s heart twisted as he admitted it. Then\u2014he made his peace with that fact.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not that good. I do<\/em> love soccer, though. Which is actually called football. Do you like the game?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ekirra nodded, wiping his eyes. Joseph smiled. Suddenly, he knew what he had to do. Back home\u2026on Earth, you could really <\/em>like your teams. Enough to brawl or kill people during games. Those were the fans.<\/em><\/p>\n

Perhaps, if there was something else to change, it wasn\u2019t just the rules. Joseph set Ekirra down and knelt.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell then, if you want, why don\u2019t you help me train Pallass? Then you can see I\u2019m not helping them more or less than Liscor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ekirra hesitated. He sat there, looking up at Joseph. The young man offered him a hand. The little Gnoll slowly took it. Joseph looked up. He felt an Erin-feeling in his chest. Was this how she got to feel? Certain?<\/p>\n

\u201cIs this young Gnoll going to be accompanying us? I would hate for this to interfere with Pallass\u2019 first training session, Coach Ortega.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Strategist] looked skeptical. Joseph met her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis little Gnoll played the first game of football in Izril with me. He might be able to teach your players a thing or two. He won\u2019t slow us down. I\u2019m ready to teach the team. Just one thing though\u2014I have a condition.\u201d<\/p>\n

She glanced at the other players as the team stood there. Joseph smiled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c\u2014just a sterling amount of silver, aha, pardon the pun. Now, I can assure you, Sir Relz, that the quality of the silver won\u2019t appreciably depreciate\u2014another little pun\u2014for at least the next f\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The droning voice of the [Merchant] over Wistram News Network was fascinating. If you liked economic talk.<\/p>\n

Some people did, which was why they\u2019d allocated the hour to business talk with Sir Relz and his co-host.<\/p>\n

Usually Noass, but since Noass was sick\u2026Drassi got the job. She was slumped, her chin resting on her claw.<\/p>\n

Clearly falling asleep. She kept jerking and trying to look interested, but her eyes were literally drooping, and Sir Relz had given up nudging her. The Drake with the monocle was leaning forwards as if to make up for her lack of enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

This was the news. Or rather, the 24\/7 broadcast from Pallass. The most fascinating thing looked like it might be Drassi literally starting to snore on air.<\/p>\n

\u2026Right up until the Drake [Reporter] glanced up, blinked, and leaned over as someone whispered to her. She broke into the [Metals Merchant]\u2019s diatribe with a bright, overly-loud voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me!<\/em> I\u2019m so <\/em>sorry, but we have a breaking news report!\u201d<\/p>\n

Someone began playing a horn in the background, a jaunty tune as the words flashed around the magical ticker tape running across the bottom of the broadcast. Sir Relz blinked, and Drassi began speaking rapidly as someone held up the cue cards.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis one\u2019s a Pallassian exclusive. If you\u2019re just tuning in\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The viewer count began going up<\/em>, as people were notified of the breaking news via their scrying devices. There were categories of news alert.<\/p>\n

This was the lowest-level, which meant dramatic news, not wars or cataclysm, which were reserved for the highest-level alert. Even so\u2026it was the news.<\/p>\n

Ishkr stopped looking for Mrsha as the scrying mirror lit up. Ulvama, chewing on food, sat up, excitedly.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026It looks like we\u2019re in for sports news! I\u2019ve just<\/em> been given word that an upset is coming to the world of soccer!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, yes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sir Relz interjected, clearly trying to be part of the moment. He adjusted his monocle as he spoke rapidly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve broadcast six games around the world, and there\u2019s talk of bringing teams together to play a world-wide championship. Er\u2014what\u2019s the news, Miss Drassi?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014no, this can\u2019t be right. Do we have a live-feed? Show me! According to this\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The image shifted. The viewpoint became a [Mage]-on-the-ground. The city of Pallass and the steps stretched below the viewers, and there, in front of them, was a young man.<\/p>\n

And a little brown Gnoll. Ishkr spat out his drink of water. So did a number of Liscorians including Lism.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Drassi was just as shocked as everyone else. She stared, then began reading the news.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt says, Joseph the Soccer Player, whom we all know is\u2026coaching Pallass\u2019 team as well as Invrisil\u2019s?<\/em> He\u2019s been contracted to coach both teams and\u2014that dirty rat!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

She shot up, shrieking as the copper penny dropped. Sir Relz looked most amused.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome now, Reporter Drassi. Let\u2019s be professional\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProfessional? Professional my tail!<\/em> He sold out! He\u2019s supposed to be Liscor\u2019s coach!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no rule saying one cannot teach multiple teams\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about loyalty? That double-dealing\u2014<\/em>this just in: I\u2019m going to kick Joseph\u2019s butt! Excuse me! I\u2019m going to cover this one in person.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drassi tossed her papers and stormed out of the studio. Sir Relz took over. Yet there wasn\u2019t as much commentating to do, because the image soon became just<\/em> the feed from Pallass, not the news room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joseph exhaled. He looked at the clear blue sky, and the people watching. Twenty three Drakes, Gnolls, Garuda, and Dullahans stood behind him.<\/p>\n

A soccer team. Football, really. But who cared? Coaching\u2026Ekirra looked up at him. Joseph adjusted his jersey. He spoke to the [Mage]-reporter, knowing he was on air.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019m teaching Pallass\u2019 team and Invrisil\u2019s. I\u2019m sorry if that upsets Liscor\u2019s team, or people who think of me as Liscor\u2019s, but the truth is that it\u2019s not quite fair to have me teaching one team. It might be I won\u2019t matter, but for now I\u2019m teaching all three teams to the best of my ability. No favoritism. Also, I\u2019ll be donating a q\u2014half of the money Pallass is paying me to Liscor\u2019s team.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what is it you\u2019re going to do here? What do you have to say to threats made on your person by er, Reporter Drassi, and comments about loyalty to city or home?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Mage] pressed Joseph. People saw the young man raise his hands, looking around, alarmed.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrassi? Tell her\u2014tell her\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked completely stumped for a second. The little brown Gnoll stared up at Joseph solemnly. At last, the young man barked a short, rueful laugh. He swept his hair back and looked up.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry. I just\u2026like football<\/em>. That\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFootball? Er\u2014what about s\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph turned and raised an arm. The soccer players broke into a surprised trot as an angry Drake pushed through the crowd behind Joseph. He called to the [Mage].<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to do a training routine\u2014live! If anyone wants to watch, they\u2019re free to copy it too!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Give me that\u2014Joseph! Get back here! <\/em>This is Drassi on the streets of Pallass! How many bones do you break if you get kicked down the staircase? We\u2019ll find out now!\u201d<\/p>\n

Drassi snatched the scrying mirror from the surprised [Mage]. She ran after Joseph as Ekirra ran with him, the team following.<\/p>\n

\u2026The [Reporter] failed to catch up. She\u2019d sprinted this far, and she found herself panting as Joseph ran down the steps. Ahead of him, the Watch was clearing the way. He held a football under one arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph! Joseph, do you mean it about donating the money?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do! Don\u2019t hit me, Drassi!\u201d<\/p>\n

She lowered the scrying orb she was using like a club.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t have anything but boring economics for this hour. Are you suggesting we broadcast your entire workout?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf anyone wants to learn how we do it, why not? At least the warm-ups! Unless Pallass has any objections?\u201d<\/p>\n

He glanced at the [Strategist] hurrying to keep up. She shook her head. Drassi turned.<\/p>\n

\u201cHear that, Sir Relz? Someone get me a stamina potion. What\u2019s our first step, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoadwork. Building muscles!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

They were storming down the stairs. Twenty three players, in an unscripted, but now live,<\/em> very public event. A group of Drakes sitting at an outdoor caf\u00e9 and watching the television glanced over as the team ran past them, then did a comical double-take as they realized they could see themselves.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy is running so important, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you serious, Drassi?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m feeding you questions! Explain!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake snapped, shoving a speaking stone in front of Joseph. He laughed, and so did Ekirra, keeping pace.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you might run for ninety minutes straight<\/em> during a game of football! Which is what it\u2019s called by the way! Soccer is\u2014a\u2014a\u2014colloquial term! We\u2019ll be doing sprints, building up muscle every day, along with passing drills!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEven if they have Skills?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEspecially if they have Skills! Skills don\u2019t replace hard work or technique! Frankly, we might audition more players to see if some have the talent to make the roster! I didn\u2019t choose the team!\u201d<\/p>\n

The players looked worried. They accelerated as Drassi and Joseph hit the second floor.<\/p>\n

Behind them came Pallass. The [Sinew Magus], who had abandoned the excitement, glanced up from doing one-armed pushups on top of one of the railings that was creaking under his weight on the sixth floor. The narrow space and balancing act was part of his outdoor regimen.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Huh.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grimalkin stared at, to his eyes, two thousand<\/em> citizens and growing jogging after Joseph and the soccer team. His students had increased exponentially, but his mass-exercise proposals and projects had never garnered even a tenth of this kind of excitement. He pushed himself up. They were running. The [Sinew Magus] started jogging.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joseph ran out of the gates of Pallass, grinning. The air felt fresh and warm. He felt alive.<\/p>\n

The City of Invention\u2019s vast, central eastern gate was wide open, letting a flood of people out past him. The team ran with thousands of citizens\u2014those not already exhausted\u2014around them.<\/p>\n

\u201cPick up the pace! If Ekirra can beat you, anyone can outrun you on the pitch!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph called. Ekirra was running on all fours, but the little Gnoll could match an adult in a run or even sprint for a while. He was smiling. And the smile was infectious.<\/p>\n

Drassi was panting, but chugging stamina potions and running with him. Aspiring players or just casual fans and people watching the news saw Joseph lift the ball.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s see how you can dribble. If you\u2019re good\u2014don\u2019t lose speed!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

He tossed the ball down and watched the Pallassian team copy him with some hesitation. They did<\/em> slow down! Ekirra began dribbling almost as fast as they were. Joseph shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cPassing? Come on\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

He kicked the ball and Drassi, panting, kicked it back with commendable accuracy. By this point, someone else was managing the \u2018camera\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could have tried out for the team.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPass! I hate running!\u201d<\/p>\n

Drassi gasped. The viewer-count was shooting up. After all\u2014it was a topical piece.<\/p>\n

The walls of the City of Invention swept up to the jogging players\u2019 right, three hundred feet of enchanted walls. Impressive; the viewpoint swept around the green, safe<\/em> landscape. After all, this land was Pallass\u2019, and there were few places safer unless war threatened. Joseph was still smiling when he saw the second group emerge and break off from the untidy mass of people running behind him.<\/p>\n

Unlike the flagging citizens\u2014they began to speed up. <\/em>They were running in\u2014formation?<\/p>\n

Joseph, Drassi, Ekirra, and the soccer team slowed uncertainly. Was this the Watch, interrupting the impromptu gathering?<\/p>\n

Femithain, paused over lunch with Nsiia, saw rows of Drake [Soldiers] running in full armor behind a Drake they recognized.<\/p>\n

Grimalkin of Pallass jogged next to Joseph.<\/p>\n

\u201cGrimalkin! What are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExercising! <\/em>Pallass\u2019 training regiments could use the additional leg strengthening! This is excellent joint-training! If any squad falls behind the soccer players, they will go on water rations tonight! <\/em>And if any of you fall behind that little Gnoll, you can quit the army! Testicles!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

He bellowed back at the [Soldiers]. They flinched. Joseph and Drassi\u2019s faces were a picture of surprise and bemusement. Suddenly, they were running as thousands<\/em> of [Soldiers] accelerated, desperately following the [Sinew Magus].<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2014That\u2019s Grimalkin of Pallass, taking Pallass\u2019 trainees on an exercise run! If you\u2019re just tuning in, I\u2019m Drassi and this is Joseph, and we\u2019re doing a sample training for soccer, excuse me, football<\/em> teams! I ask my viewers\u2014dead gods, my legs hurt\u2014how do you exercise? Feel free to send in [Messages] or even demonstrate!<\/em> Now, passing\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

It was just a silly thing. Joseph and the soccer team did slow much sooner than Grimalkin of Pallass, who wanted two laps<\/em> of the City of Invention. They began practicing.<\/p>\n

A day in the sun. A game of soccer. A simple question. How do you<\/em> train?<\/p>\n

It sparked, as these things do, a flood.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joseph the Soccer Player ran on the scrying orb, keeping up a running dialogue with Drassi. The sun was already making the players sweat.<\/p>\n

Yet just the scene of Pallass\u2019 Engineers, the name of the soccer team, kicking a ball as they ran next to the paved road, past and sometimes on the artfully-cultivated grass and bright flowers that lead to the City of Inventions invited a moment.<\/p>\n

The summer heat, the smell of fresh grass, a flight of swallows. Drassi laughing as Ekirra headed a football, leaping around, misery forgotten.<\/p>\n

Fun. Casual fun, not anything grand or glorious. Just the lads\u2026and lasses\u2026playing a game they clearly loved.<\/p>\n

It could put a smile on your face. It was inspiring too; because, look.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s from Earth! See? It\u2019s one of us! He\u2019s teaching at one of the Walled Cities?\u201d<\/p>\n

Agog, the Earthers of Wistram were crowding the scrying orb, looking at one of the most successful Earthers in the world. Who had climbed up to his position of fame by hard work and effort. Joseph\u2014the Singer of Terandria, and perhaps R\u00e9mi Canada, although that was a stretch.<\/p>\n

Of course, someone had to take it too far. Grimalkin\u2019s death-run with the [Soldiers] of Pallass and Drassi\u2019s comments sparked, as it did\u2014competition. The sight of so many Drakes running in formation, espousing the rigorous training of Pallass prompted pushback.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks like Liscor has some stiff competition in the next game, eh, Sir Relz?\u201d<\/p>\n

Noass was still sick, but he\u2019d climbed into the broadcast booth to cover for Drassi. Sir Relz, who\u2019d edged as far to the side as possible, politely nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed, Noass. Also, a wonderful display of martial training from Grimalkin of Pallass. I believe that\u2019s 1st<\/sup> Army\u2019s elite regiments in training\u2026oh?\u201d<\/p>\n

He raised a claw, the signal for viewers to understand someone was giving him new information. Sir Relz consulted a bit of paper held up behind the \u2018camera\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think someone has taken our [Reporter] on the ground a bit literally. Are we cuttin\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Another image appeared in place of the training football team. Sir Relz and Noass recoiled as an army appeared.<\/p>\n

An army on the go.<\/em> The King of Destruction\u2019s forces, with Maresar and Venith, were suddenly front and center.<\/p>\n

Running.<\/em> Practically sprinting, really. With his Skills active no less, so they were eating up ground. Venith, in his plate armor, the King of Destruction, likewise wearing armor sans a helmet, were marching across Chandrar\u2019s arid landscapes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard someone thinks Drakes<\/em> field the most fit army in the world!\u201d<\/p>\n

The King of Destruction was laughing as he ran, despite the heat and dust caking his armor. Sir Relz hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre we live? Can he\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes I can. Sir Relz, isn\u2019t it?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Flos shouted back. The Drake flinched.<\/p>\n

\u201cKing of Destruction\u2014er, your Majesty Reimarch, is this your way of challenging Pallass\u2019 training?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could say that. We just mopped up a Nerrhavian force and we\u2019re running to catch another one! Damned chariots\u2014I notice you didn\u2019t cover that in your morning broadcast! True, it was a little battle, but I thought I\u2019d prove how a real<\/em> army moves!\u201d<\/p>\n

The King of Destruction somehow managed to shout while running. Behind him, a stream of [Soldiers] raced onwards. In fact\u2014Noass blinked as he wiped at his nose with a handkerchief.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs your entire army\u2026running?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The cavalry had dismounted and were running next<\/em> to their horses. The infantry were running in formation, and the only group not running were supply wagons at the back.<\/p>\n

And Maresar. She was letting her horse canter next to her husband and [King], rolling her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re headed for the Simel Gulf! Assuming Nerrhavia has the cloth to face us there! That\u2019s about forty miles\u2014I expect to be fighting by late noon! Let\u2019s see Pallass\u2019 army do that!\u201d<\/p>\n

Flos bellowed. Sir Relz looked at Noass.<\/p>\n

\u201cEr\u2014your Majesty. Is revealing the position of your army, uh, wise?\u201d<\/p>\n

Venith clearly shared the opinion based on the scowl on his face. Trey Atwood and Calac Crusland stared at the scrying orb, and traded glances. With resignation, Trey anticipated Flos\u2019 reply before it was even given.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf there was a choice between being the center of attention or being strategic, I know which one I\u2019d pick! Now\u2014pick up the pace!\u201d<\/p>\n

Somehow, Reim\u2019s army found the strength to cheer and speed up.<\/em> Flos Reimarch actually slowed to run between the ranks of his [Soldiers], clapping shoulders, laughing, thrusting his arm up and motivating his soldiers further.<\/p>\n

Of course, the image didn\u2019t stay on him. If you thought the ego of the King of Destruction was unmatched\u2014you\u2019d never met royalty. Or gone for a walk outside, really.<\/p>\n

\u201cI uh, think we\u2019re getting more<\/em> live feeds from forces claiming that Pallass\u2019 training exercise is lacking. Is this\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cManus!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Sir Relz went temporarily deaf as the City of War appeared in the background. A force six times larger than Grimalkin\u2019s training group was on the run. A touch faster<\/em> than Grimalkin\u2019s group, and of course, wearing full armor, carrying their weapons as they ran.<\/p>\n

At this point, Noass had a surreptition. He voiced it at the same time as Cara rolled her eyes and started laughing.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt might be, Sir Relz, that a lot of er, groups, would like to demonstrate their superior conditioning.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a prophetic comment. Soon, the broadcasting studio in Pallass was swamped with incoming transmissions. It seemed like every army and militia wanted to prove they could run faster<\/em>, and the two Drakes had to remind their viewers that the point was soccer\u2014football<\/em>, not just showing off!<\/p>\n

Obligingly, Flos Reimarch somehow found a football and kicked it into his army. More amazingly, his soldiers managed to field the ball on the run, and it was exceptionally amusing watching an entire group of pikes go sprawling as someone tripped up over it and created a pile.<\/p>\n

Thus, he kept the spotlight shifting back to him as well as Joseph and Pallass\u2019 team. Mainly because he was the King of Destruction as well.<\/p>\n

However, dozens, and then over a hundred submissions were vying for attention, such that the viewpoint kept shifting, showcasing different armies. Manus got three minutes; Zeres two. Oteslia and Fissival didn\u2019t even get to show up. They were replaced by the Maelstrom\u2019s Howling Centaur divisions, led by the Bannermare, galloping across the ground to show the two-footers how you were supposed to move.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re just showing off. This is going to go on all bloody day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cara O\u2019Sullivan, the [Popstar] of Terandria, didn\u2019t seem too put out by the suggestion. She put up her feet and watched her personal scrying orb as the caravan of the band travelled down the road.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot tempted to join in, Cara?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rae teased her. The [Popstar] rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not running a mile a minute to get my five seconds of fame. You have to stand out, stand out<\/em>, Rae. No one needs to listen to the Singer of Terandria right now. However! This looks like a lot of fecking fun to watch. Anyone got some popcorn or snacks?\u201d<\/p>\n

The comment turned out to be slightly wrong. Mainly because Cara\u2019s voice did<\/em> appear on the broadcast. Just not live.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome on. Just do <\/em>it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Elena was arguing with the [Diviner] in charge of maintaining Wistram News Network. He frowned at her, yet Aaron was backing Elena up with a few Earthers. Trey lingered in the back with some of his [Mage]-friends. Calac was still locked on the scrying orb, hoping to see his parents again every time they flickered on screen.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. This is a news broadcast\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt totally fits. Just start playing it when you next cut to another group! Please? We know what we\u2019re talking about. You\u2019ll get more<\/em> viewers!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides, you don\u2019t need to hear those two Drakes talking. I know you can loop the sound into the feed. Do we have to ask an Archmage? You know<\/em> Naili will okay it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aaron added. The [Diviner] gave up.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2014fine. But if they don\u2019t like it, I won\u2019t take the blame!\u201d<\/p>\n

He snatched the song crystal. As the image flickered again, Noass and Sir Relz were keeping up their rapid commentary.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks like we\u2019re at uh, House Ulta next. It seems Lady Pryde has taken Magus Grimalkin\u2019s claims as a personal insult. Is that her in the yellow \u2018track suit\u2019 leading her personal forces? This is a new style of dress, by the w\u2014what is that sound?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The two Drakes\u2019 voices were suddenly drowned out by a bomping<\/em> drum and bass beat. A piano joined in a second later. Then\u2014a voice.<\/p>\n

Elena was grinning. In Terandria and her wagon, Cara sat up and nearly choked on her snacks as she heard her<\/em> voice, recorded via song crystal, playing.<\/p>\n

Music on air. For the first time, a recording rather than a live performance. Overlaid by the visuals of House Ulta jogging, almost synced perfectly to their feet striking the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs this music? Inspirational? Is someone doing a performance? Oh\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Sir Relz finally got the missive sent via [Message] and read it.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt sounds like we\u2019re playing music as a kind of, er, overlay to the scenery. This is, according to my notes, \u2018Good To Be Alive\u2019 <\/em>by The [Popstar] of Terandria, original credit to\u2026a skillet? As in, a cooking\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

Cara picked herself up from the floor of the wagon, cursing. Abebi blinked at the recorded song playing. It was like a compilation video now. She smiled\u2014then turned to the others. Thien had the same thought and raised his eyebrows.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo we get royalties from that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot invented yet. I\u2019ll get on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was a fun song, fun competition. There he was too. Joseph.<\/p>\n

The young man was, by now, oblivious to the television incident he was part of. He was doing another lap of Pallass, kicking the ball between him and a player, chatting about the minutiae of soccer with Drassi and the new rules on airborne players.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, that\u2019s only for ground versus aerial players. An all-aerial team can do what they want. We\u2019re also revising our formations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2014because it\u2019s too easy to travel the entire football pitch, even with defense. Kicking Skills make it too easy. As players level up, we\u2019ll have to entirely alter how we think about defense and offense. We might even have to put a limit on how high players can fly or pass.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally? Is that too limiting for the game?\u201d<\/p>\n

Drassi looked concerned. Joseph shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to experiment to keep the game from being too lopsided, that\u2019s all I meant, Drassi. For instance\u2014I could pass across the entire pitch<\/em> quite easily. Hey up there!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

He bellowed up at the walls. Some of the distant [Soldiers] on Pallass\u2019 walls waved energetically, hoping to be caught by the scrying mirror before their commanders reprimanded them. Joseph pointed up at a Garuda [Lieutenant].<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it okay if I ask one of you to help me demonstrate something?\u201d<\/p>\n

He might not have been audible, but the Pallassian [Strategist] assigned to the team rapidly spoke into a speaking stone. Normally, no one<\/em> touched the walls, but this was sports. Thus, city-pride and propaganda.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fine. What were you planning, Coach?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis. Going up! Pass it back!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph kicked the football up a foot\u2014then launched<\/em> it up. There was a shout as the ball, propelled by his Skill, flew<\/em> towards the wall. The Garuda [Lieutenant] recoiled, but saw the ball shooting up the three hundred feet towards him.<\/p>\n

Faced with the sudden pass, the Garuda had two options. Catch it or let it sail past him and endure mockery, albeit limited, or kick it back<\/em>. If he missed, he would be ridiculed. On the other hand\u2026if he kicked it?<\/p>\n

He went for the kick. By luck or skill, he succeeded, and a black-and-white meteor dropped towards Joseph. The other players on Pallass\u2019 team raced towards it and launched it ahead.<\/p>\n

Joseph grinned at Drassi.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou see? If I can kick the ball that high, who\u2019s going to block that, even with a jump Skill? Height limits. We\u2019ll be practicing combinations with those rules.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drassi craned her neck up towards Pallass\u2019 walls, looking deeply impressed at Joseph\u2019s new Skill.<\/p>\n

At this point, none of the Earthers watching him could bear it any longer. The music! The game of soccer<\/em>\u2014at least as they thought of it\u2014and Joseph himself were the most Earth-like thing they\u2019d seen since coming here.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s from Earth! <\/em>He\u2019s from Earth! We have to talk to him! How\u2019d he introduce Pallass? It looks so\u2014safe!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Emily was almost crying. Richard was thumping Edward on the shoulder with excitement, and the other young man was doing the same to him. The Earthers of the Blighted Kingdom on Rhir stared longingly at the smile on Joseph\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Completely free from the war weariness, the sight of combat and the fear of death that was visible on theirs. All of them had instantly broken off from the briefing to stare at Joseph.<\/p>\n

Red, Chole, Cynthia, Katie, Stacy, Vincent, Keith\u2026all of the original Earthers were clustered around the orb, almost in tears to see one of them<\/em> somewhere other than hell.<\/p>\n

Of course, they had seen Joseph before. Yet he was as much a hero and inspiration to them as the [Heroes] were to\u2026Rhir\u2019s populace. They longed to be there<\/em>, not here.<\/p>\n

The other watchers were less sanguine about Joseph. Lord Hayvon Operland was already glancing at some of his people, a frown written across his face. Similarly, Nereshal bore an expression that failed to conceal how disturbing this was to him.<\/p>\n

Tom the [Clown], giggling to himself and standing apart from everyone else, was of two minds about Joseph. Well, everything. Aha. <\/em>He stifled another maniacal laugh as he wondered if Joseph was as happy as he looked or whether those Drakes had him<\/em>. Nowhere was safe!<\/p>\n

Other Tom was whispering in his head. You just know he\u2019s in a gilded cage at best. They\u2019ll make him happy, pump him for information. Playing soccer. As if that changes anything? What\u2019s Rhir going to do, hm? Grab him? Kill him? Nereshal looks like he\u2019s about to crap himself. Bring him to Rhir to fight the Demons? That would be hilarious. Soccer balls vs the Death of Magic! Ha\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n

However, a voice interrupted his rambling thoughts. A snort, almost incredulous.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that\u2026soccer? Someone\u2019s playing soccer<\/em> instead of casting magic and stuff? That\u2019s insane.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Earthers\u2014the original<\/em> Earthers\u2014turned. Tom\u2019s head spun around. Nereshal, Hayvon, and the other [Soldiers] of Rhir looked at the incredulous group craning to see the orb.<\/p>\n

The other<\/em> Earthers. The new Earthers. Over a hundred and ten so far, and more trickling in.<\/p>\n

The Blighted King\u2019s harvest. Tom\u2019s teeth ground together as he saw the young man staring at Joseph, more bemused than inspired or hopeful.<\/p>\n

So na\u00efve. So excited, some of them. The smart ones looked worried. Not worried enough! He suppressed the laughter bubbling up inside of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSir Richard, Lady Emily and company, while I understand this moment is important, perhaps we could educate your companions as planned?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hayvon spoke gravely. Richard stepped away from the orb with clear reluctance.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right. Listen\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

His voice trailed off as he looked at the hundred plus Earthers. Some were clutching weapons, others holding spellbooks, artifacts they had been granted from the Blighted King\u2019s treasury. They were dressed in rich clothing, or their original clothes from Earth.<\/p>\n

They looked horribly, painfully, stupidly excited to Tom. Stupid idiots, some vibrating<\/em> with the desire to be adventurers, [Mages]. Half had even bought the line about being chosen heroes<\/em>, sent to fight evil!<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s that? Can we go there? Look\u2014there are Dragon-people!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

An excited whisper ran through the group, as Richard tried to speak. He lifted his gauntleted hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cListen. This is Izril, not Rhir. I\u2019m afraid the reality is we\u2019re up against Demons. I wanted to talk to you all about what it\u2019s like to actually fight.<\/em> This isn\u2019t a game\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

They weren\u2019t listening. Tom bit his finger, hard enough to break his skin. He giggled as Emily glanced at him, and then at the Earthers.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe sees it too! Look! They\u2019re like us, but twice as stupid!\u201d<\/p>\n

He giggled to no one in particular. Keith glanced at him and edged away. But it was true! All true!<\/p>\n

These Earthers were valuable!<\/em> The Blighted King showered them with gifts and unlike last time, he wasn\u2019t going to dismiss their worth since he knew they leveled three times, ten times as fast as anyone from this world!<\/p>\n

They were the same, though.<\/em> One of the Earthers was snickering at Richard\u2019s cowboy hat and his armor. They were muttering, unable to even keep silent<\/em> as Richard talked.<\/p>\n

At complete contrast with Rhir\u2019s [Soldiers] and people, of whom even Nereshal and Hayvon were listening to Richard respectfully.<\/p>\n

No wonder they thought you were children and worthless! Look at them! Don\u2019t they look pathetic! How do you seem to them? A fat man in a clown costume? Cowboy Richard? Emily, the [Water Mage]? Hah! They don\u2019t know. When they do\u2014what will their faces look like?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSo this<\/em> is where everyone from the Spirited Generation is going? This is so\u2014cool.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom\u2019s manic smile twitched<\/em>. Cool. Amazing. Fun.<\/em> They looked at him, even, like he was a novelty. He\u2019d been compared to the Joker<\/em>, or other superhero villains or characters at least five dozen times this week alone.<\/p>\n

This week, when the Blighted King finally announced the new wave of Earthers that would valiantly join the Blighted Kingdom in defying the Demons. He watched Richard\u2019s doomed attempt.<\/p>\n

\u201cListen, everyone. This is not a game. You don\u2019t come back from the dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure? What if we just go back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you heard<\/em> of any of us coming back? Anyone? Ron, Reyanne? Any of our friends?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emily interrupted, a tinge of annoyance coming back into her voice. The new Earthers murmured; a girl tossed her dyed hair.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Yet they knew about the missing kids. The Spirited Generation? Hilarious! <\/em>Tom bit harder, tasting blood. Earth knew! They didn\u2019t know what was happening, but they knew! Fascinating.<\/p>\n

Stupid. Look\u2014Richard was trying to get them to take it seriously. Hayvon was demonstrating as they locked swords. That just meant half the guys and some of the girls wanted to \u2018give it a try\u2019. Tom was growling, now.<\/p>\n

\u201cTom. Chill. What\u2019s wrong with you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Chole looked worried. The [Nurse] edged over. Tom giggled at her and she hesitated, but she was braver than most. Willing to talk to the madman. By contrast, Cynthia cowered if Tom so much as looked at her, which meant he stared.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cLook at them Chole! Look! We survived the Death of Magic blowing us to bits! All those brave heroes<\/em> being sent back\u2014and look at them!<\/em> It\u2019s just a game. It\u2019s just a damned game to them.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

His voice was hysterical, he knew. Some of the others looked at him. The smart ones looked disturbed. The others just thought he was acting. Acting!<\/p>\n

\u201cI know. They\u2019re like us. We have to teach them. Maybe\u2014kill a monster?\u201d<\/p>\n

That might do it. Tom giggled and shook his head, though. His head rotated<\/em> and Chole flinched as it strained his neck tendons with cracks.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI have a better idea.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The [Clown] edged over as Richard, exasperated, tried to raise his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cListen! This isn\u2019t fun and games!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, man. Who put you in charge? Tell us about levels! Are we going to grind for experience or\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The arguers, who apparently knew more about how this kind of game worked<\/em> and were ready to \u2018game the system\u2019, find out the \u2018best classes\u2019, and so on, stopped. As did the susurration of voices. Because the [Clown] had done a handspring forwards, and his posse of similarly-attired followers, painted faces, colorful clothing, too-wide smiles, had set up a cheer.<\/p>\n

At least he<\/em> knew how to command attention. Tom posed on top of a table, turning his head around. His smile? Almost genuine.<\/p>\n

\u201cLadies and gentlemen! <\/em>It looks like my dear friend Richard<\/em> is trying to tell, not show<\/em> you the gravitas of this world! Also, the wonder! I, Tom, the [Clown], will demonstrate. You\u2019ve heard about Skills and magic. You\u2019ve seen artifacts and feasted on the Blighted King\u2019s hospitality. Now see what you get from fighting and slaughtering possibly innocent people and animals! Behold! [My Other Self]!\u201d<\/p>\n

His shadow moved. Then\u2014a second Tom stepped out<\/em> of the first Tom. The [Clown] spread his arms and turned at the gasps and then applause.<\/p>\n

Amazement! Surprise! Excitement!<\/em> Like a carnival crowd, the Earthers stared, gathering closer as the separate Tom appeared. They spoke at the same time, eerily disquieting.<\/p>\n

The new Earthers were unwary. Richard was worried, but Hayvon held him back. He was looking at Tom. So was Nereshal, who was stroking his chin and nodding, almost resigned. The [Chronomancer]\u2019s features were of a young man sometimes, when he cared to be. His eyes were always old.<\/em> Tom met his gaze and smiled wider. Both Toms turned, spreading their arms wide.<\/p>\n

\u201cGlorious Skills! This isn\u2019t all! I can do whatever is in my class! See?\u201d<\/p>\n

He produced a knife. Then a carrot. Both Toms began to juggle the objects around at each other. Tom looked.<\/p>\n

Oh yes, look at the smart ones! That girl, there, who flinches. That young man, who might be only fifteen. Just a boy, but he\u2019s smarter than that <\/em>oaf with his stupid friends. That pallid idiot who thinks playing games on a computer will let him become the hero he wants to be! Now\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n

Both Toms met the other\u2019s gaze. They stopped juggling. A carrot bounced off a face.<\/p>\n

\u201cOw!\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughter at the gag. Tom dreamily stared into his eyes, and then around at the Earthers.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll you could want. All the potential in the world. And with great power comes\u2026oh, you know. Death.\u201d<\/p>\n

The knife flicked up in his hand. He turned, and with all the casualness in the world, slashed at the other\u2019s face. His knife went through cheek\u2014bounced off teeth. The skin parted, unveiling what looked at first like sticky red cloth beneath. The other Tom\u2014<\/p>\n

\u2014was faster. He put the knife in the first Tom\u2019s eye. Lodged it deep, twisted<\/em>\u2014<\/p>\n

The first Tom vanished. The real<\/em> Tom spat blood out of his mouth and grinned. Blood ran down his face, out of his mouth and his cheek.<\/p>\n

The laughter, the applause\u2014the voices\u2014suddenly went silent. Only his troupe began to laugh at the joke.<\/p>\n

\u201cWh\u2014wh\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh my god. He just\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The Earthers stared in horror at the sudden display of violence. The other Tom had vanished as soon as he was murdered. Someone began to laugh\u2014incredulously.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, thank you. No need to applaud. But I don\u2019t think the point has sunk in<\/em> yet. Can I get a volunteer to help me out? No? Well then, you, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom pointed at the nearest young man, a football player\u2014American football\u2014and leapt.<\/p>\n

\u201cTom!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Richard shouted, but it was too late. Tom\u2019s hand flashed. The crowd scattered back and the horrified eyes saw him plunge the knife into the bigger young man\u2019s stomach, his legs.<\/p>\n

At first, the pain didn\u2019t even register. The football player knocked Tom aside. Then he saw his guts hanging out of his stomach. The bloody cuts on his legs. He began to shout in horror. Then\u2014scream.<\/p>\n

First him, then those around him. Yet Tom hadn\u2019t stopped moving. He turned, and threw the knife into a girl\u2019s thigh. She went down, shrieking.<\/p>\n

\u201cTom!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSir Thomas! Stop!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hayvon roared. He and his people strode into the crowd, but the stunned Earthers began fleeing. Too late, too late\u2014Tom was pulling more weapons out of his invisible bag of tricks. He threw knives, lifted a wand and blasted a group with fire.<\/p>\n

Flames<\/em> ignited clothing. The [Clown] leapt, doing a spring, slicing, attacking<\/em> the Earthers at random. Emily blasted him with a jet of water, but only knocked several Earthers flat as he dodged.<\/em><\/p>\n

Richard tackled Tom in the end. It didn\u2019t matter. He laughed as Richard slammed<\/em> a fist into his face.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d done his job. Screams of pain, crying\u2014the tiled floor ran with blood.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy so angry, Richard, old chap? Nothing a healing potion won\u2019t fix.\u201d<\/p>\n

He grinned around his gash of a mouth and bleeding nose. Richard stared at him, fist raised for another punch. He looked around.<\/p>\n

Nereshal stood there, watching reality sink in. He looked at Tom and nodded once. Almost in gratitude. The [Clown] laughed and laughed. He bellowed up at the ceiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cLadies and Gentlemen of Earth! Welcome to hell!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Of course, the good vibes of the day were only ruined on Rhir.<\/em> Elsewhere, Joseph\u2019s soccer lessons and the other groups showing off continued to be the trivial excitement for the day.<\/p>\n

Empress Nsiia, formerly of Tiqr, and Magus-Crafter Femithain of Illivere, for instance, quite enjoyed just watching the scrying orb.<\/p>\n

Typically, Femithain was working as he did, signing documents with one eye on the scrying orb. Nsiia leaned on the table, watching.<\/p>\n

What else was there to do? She couldn\u2019t just gallivant off. She was a prisoner, however nicely accommodated. Similarly, she had no desire to watch the new Golems that Femithain was working on be produced one scrape of a chisel or swing of a hammer at a time.<\/p>\n

Femithain was now the <\/em>[Golem Artificer] of Illivere, as Domehead had proven. The grand champion of the arena was still smashing heads in, and proving the possibility of creating more<\/em> Sentient-class Golems at last.<\/p>\n

Nsiia wished Domehead were assigned to guard duty here. She was bored, so this scrying orb was the only entertainment. She spent far<\/em> too much time watching it, often for news of the King of Destruction.<\/p>\n

It gave her both heart and annoyance to see him front-and-center. She wished he would win<\/em> his wars, while knowing Reim was under attack from too many sides. Yet Tiqr lay beneath the conqueror\u2019s boot while he wasted time!<\/p>\n

\u201cFemithain, do you want to play this game of football-soccer?\u201d<\/p>\n

She rolled over on the table, stretching like a cat. The little cat, with an ash-blonde pattern of fur of little rings, rolled over, copying her.<\/p>\n

Yinah, whose lower half had been supplanted by Golem prosthetics. For all that, she didn\u2019t seem to mind.<\/p>\n

The Magus-Crafter raised his eyebrows as he retrieved some papers from the bored former-[Empress].<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has some popularity in the federation, Nsiia. However, I personally am not inclined to try. I did draw up a Golem capable of defending one of the goals or kicking the ball for amusement, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBookworm.\u201d<\/p>\n

She accused him. Femithain just raised his brows higher.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs this a revelation, Nsiia?\u201d<\/p>\n

The woman sighed and stared at the ceiling. In some ways, Femithain was an ideal captor. He rose to little bait, and for all he was polite, and they had a friendship, he also kept strong boundaries.<\/p>\n

Seducing him had failed. He watched her carefully. If she had thought<\/em> she could suborn him, or gain her freedom, Nsiia would have done whatever it took. Yet he cleverly rotated the Human staff in and out, and used Golems to guard her.<\/p>\n

For all she was idle, too\u2026Nsiia stared up blankly at the ceiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cHm? What, Femithain?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI said, would you like to play soccer? I am sure a game could be arranged. Perhaps even one that avails you of the scrying orb.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Empress], for all her casual demeanor, folded her arms and stared up at the ceiling on the veranda. Chandrar\u2019s hot, dry air was familiar, reassuring. She would have loved to run and play this silly game any time had she been in Tiqr, put aside the duties of the crown to play with her subjects.<\/p>\n

Yet Tiqr is gone. My subjects are [Slaves] or fight for their land against my foes even now as I recline, growing fat and indolent. They despair and I wake knowing I failed them, as I do every day.<\/em><\/p>\n

She lay there, depression overtaking her. She still stayed in contact with them, despite being [Animalfriend Exile], no longer [Empress of Beasts]. Her trusted [Wild General], Vasraf, still led a resistance from the steppes, raiding the enemy armies holding Tiqr, freeing her subjects from slavery and bondage.<\/p>\n

She communicated with him via the birds she had tamed around Femithain\u2019s mansion. Perhaps the Magus-Crafter didn\u2019t know, or couldn\u2019t figure out how to stop her from using her animal contacts. Perhaps this was the small kindness he allowed her.<\/p>\n

If so, it was no kindness but a cruelty disguised as one. For all it let Nsiia do was send empty words of comfort to Vasraf. Hear of her people\u2019s suffering.<\/p>\n

\u2018They despair, your Majesty. I do not, yet time and their dire hours take its toll. Have you hope to offer us?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

The last missive which had reached her after one of the brave birds had flown day and night to reach her had been as an arrow into her chest. Nsiia clutched at her heart.<\/p>\n

They fight. Can I offer them nothing?<\/em><\/p>\n

No Golems of war. She was not the [Golem Maker] she had tried to become. Moreover, Femithain had discovered her projects and confiscated them. She was free to train her class\u2026under supervision.<\/p>\n

Domehead\u2026<\/em>no, no. Even if she could suborn it, him, the Golem was a single one, however intelligent, and would never make it to Vasraf. So, Nsiia lay there.<\/p>\n

Until she had a thought.<\/p>\n

I can offer my subjects nothing but myself. If they take any heart, let it be all I can give.<\/em><\/p>\n

So she rose and looked at Femithain.<\/p>\n

\u201cI may try to get on the scrying orb after all.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Magus-Crafter blinked, having forgotten the conversation already. Nsiia sprang to her feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you wish it, I will send word for a [Mage] to broadcast you. In fact, perhaps Armsmaster Dellic would care to put together a small group to demonstrate Illivere\u2019s\u2026physical acumen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Femithain hesitated over that, since this was not<\/em> a title to which the Illivere Federation could really lay a claim. Nevertheless, Nsiia was grateful. She began to stretch. At least let them see her! If it helped at all\u2014<\/p>\n

Yinah took over Nsiia\u2019s job. She rolled over Femithain\u2019s desk, meowing, until he began to pet her with his free hand. Nsiia went to get her moment on air.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That would be harder than it looked. As many groups were finding out.<\/p>\n

Politics, fortune, fame, and, naturally, entertainment<\/em>–value<\/em>, were what allowed one to get on Wistram News Network. Yes, some generous contributors could get featured by being \u2018randomly chosen\u2019 out of the now thousand-plus submission count coming into the broadcast studio, from [Mercenaries] to full-fledged armies.<\/p>\n

However, unless you had that advantage, or that of fame, only entertainment value or luck would get you a coveted slot, and your five minutes of fame.<\/p>\n

Or five seconds. It was all so\u2026political. For instance, The Glorious Kingdom of Medain\u2026was not featured on the broadcast despite King Perric graciously taking time out of his conflict with Khelt-Jecrass to organize a showing of his Golden Ranks.<\/p>\n

By contrast, Ailendamus got nearly thirty seconds of showing off their armies jogging towards another battle with the Dawn Concordat because it was topical and war. Not because they were more interesting than any of the other dozens of sweaty people in armor doing the same.<\/p>\n

That was just it. At some point, the novelty wore off. Yes, they were running in formation and that was interesting.<\/em> Yet watching that got old after about eleven minutes.<\/p>\n

So Rabbiteater couldn\u2019t fathom why the Order of Seasons wanted to copy that. Then again\u2014being on the scrying orb was an allure of its own.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Ser Solstice! Let\u2019s show off our Order! We\u2019ve put in a request to Wistram\u2014how am I supposed to use this thing again?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Summer\u2019s Champion accidentally kicked a ball straight into the Spring\u2019s Warden\u2019s chest plate. She let it drop and fielded the ball back, with a considerable amount more dexterity than he.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou pass the ball, Ser Greysten. Like so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you two seriously considering this?\u201d<\/p>\n

Knight-Commander Calirn looked pained. The Winter Knight had declined to armor up, but the two heads of their Season were determined to get on television and showcase their order.<\/p>\n

Egos, [Knights], [Knights]…Rabbiteater didn\u2019t see the point. Oh, it was vaguely fun, he had to admit, but he\u2019d<\/em> been on television a few times. He hadn\u2019t told them that, though.<\/p>\n

The Goblin was game to join the two hundred [Knights] of Spring and Summer who were going to do the passing exercise as they ran around their keep, too. So he set off, passing the ball to Ser Markus, as the Order waved upwards.<\/p>\n

The new way Wistram could showcase so many groups was [Scrying] spells. It was ingenious, really. You sent coordinates to them and they [Scried] your location. Some places were warded against such spells, of course, but the Order of Seasons had dropped their wards just to get on the news.<\/p>\n

By contrast, Chaldion of Pallass had told Wistram flatly to use their [Mages] and scrying gear. Pallass would not drop their wards for a second.<\/p>\n

Thus, [Knights] waved at the sky, hoping to be seen, while they passed the soccer balls back and forth with a good degree of accuracy as they jogged along. They were warriors after all.<\/p>\n

Rabbiteater saw the Summer\u2019s Champion excitedly checking the scrying mirror he carried as more [Knights] watched from the keep\u2019s walls. The [Knights] did a lap of the keep\u2026then two\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not showing up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ser Greysten slowed, the huge [Summer Knight] looking perplexedly at the Spring\u2019s Warden. She shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cWistram hasn\u2019t selected our group for viewing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, are we supposed to keep running and waving until they do? We are the Order of Seasons!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Greysten was a bit petulant. The [Knights] slowed, some looking a bit hurt. Surely their famous Order would garner attention?<\/p>\n

…Compared to the King of Destruction, the Walled Cities, other nations, and every other Knight Order who\u2019d had the same idea in the world? Rabbiteater took a sip of water through his visor with a straw. He saw the latest showcase in between going back to Joseph and the soccer team were<\/em> actually [Knights]. Only\u2014they were a bit smarter than the Order of Seasons in how they\u2019d gotten attention.<\/p>\n

Wistram was still playing the [Popstar]\u2019s music during the showcase, which really added<\/em> to the visuals, it had to be said. In the spirit of such compilation videos, the best and most inspiring antics were being chosen.<\/p>\n

To the fast, energetic chords of an electric guitar and of course, the drums and vocals, two [Knights] appeared on the scrying orb.<\/p>\n

In bed. Not the same<\/em> bed, mind you, but it was enough to throw an audience expecting another running Courier or group of exercising soldiery.<\/p>\n

Even so, two very<\/em> toned, muscular men sat up at the same time, almost overplaying yawns and stretching. Then an alarm bell rang.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat in the name of Troll dung am I looking a\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Greysten\u2019s outraged voice was shushed by the Spring\u2019s Warden, who could appreciate the view. Similarly, a number of outraged Drakes and Dullahans\u2014mostly male\u2014began sending in complaints to Wistram. By contrast, Redscar pushed aside a few Goblins to stare with more attention.<\/p>\n

Rabbiteater saw the two [Knights] shoot out of their beds as if launched. They looked outside, decided they were needed in armor now<\/em>, and blasted out of their dormitory-style bedrooms in naught but briefs.<\/p>\n

That didn\u2019t last long, though. Whoever had the scrying mirror backed up down the stairs ahead of them as they pushed and jostled, running down the stairs. One of the two [Knights], blonde, with a trimmed beard and an impish grin, had a bag of holding and was chucking pieces of armor at the other. His fellow, with orange hair that suggested some aristocratic blood tinged with a bit of purple at the roots, slapped on pieces of armor.<\/p>\n

They were running down the stairs now, and the first [Knight] tossed the bag of holding at a pair of [Squires]. To Rabbiteater\u2019s entertainment and amazement, they were donning their armor as<\/em> they ran.<\/p>\n

By the time they were running through the keep they were based at, their [Squires] and the [Knights] had half their armor on.<\/p>\n

\u201cArming Skills.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ser Markus whispered to Rabbiteater. The cheerful song was about four minutes long, which was as long as it took for both [Knights] to be out of bed, running out of their keep in full armor.<\/em> It was an impressive display of preparation, showmanship, comedy, and<\/em> something to look at.<\/p>\n

That was entertainment. Ser Greysten was much unimpressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Chevaliers d\u2019Omerra. Showoffs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be petty.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Spring\u2019s Warden teased him. Yet it was also proof that the bar was rising for good submissions. Kicking a few footballs around and running in straight lines was not enough.<\/em><\/p>\n

Proof positive, the next view was a familiar man who had taken the world\u2019s attention a few times. Lord Bel, the Lord of the Dance wasn\u2019t running.<\/em> He was gliding across the floor. Someone did throw a soccer ball at him, and he kicked it up, keeping it on a leg as he turned, flicked it back with a smile at another [Dancing Warrior], who caught it between shoulder and head, then, with a display of muscular coordination, flicked<\/em> it onto the other shoulder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs that even legal?\u201d<\/p>\n

Drassi turned to Joseph. The soccer coach hesitated, but Grimalkin boomed behind them. They\u2019d stopped to stare at the unfolding event.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho cares? <\/em>What excellent control of musculature! That group of muscles there! Finely developed! And did you see how coordinated they were, to disguise their movement by sliding their feet across the ground? It\u2019s a dancing technique, but the control required\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMoonwalking. Or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph murmured. The Lord of the Dance cut away to another<\/em> display, this time as the other species of the world stopped Humans from hogging the spotlight.<\/p>\n

A headless Dullahan kicked<\/em> a ball, which was headed by a second one in armor. A third Dullahan, most mobile of the group, leapt up and kicked the ball into the goal, wearing cloth armor to allow such acrobatics.<\/p>\n

The goalkeeper had missed, but he went into the goal to pick out the \u2018ball\u2019. Which\u2026was a head. The first Dullahan had launched herself<\/em> at the goal, and looked smug as could be. Unphased by the kicks! All the other Dullahans applauded gravely, rather than jump around and shout.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph could barely tear himself away from the game, but he realized he<\/em> was still supposed to be teaching the soccer team. How was he supposed to live up to that?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2014I think we have to try something big.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drassi waved her camera-[Mage] into position as Joseph turned to Pallass\u2019 team, who clearly felt the same way. He gestured.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s set up a game. Only\u2014we\u2019re going to work on a goal-breaker.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA what, coach?\u201d<\/p>\n

The team gathered around as Joseph stood around a map to sketch out some tactics. He was unaware of the television viewpoint shifting to him. He addressed the [Strategist] from Pallass as little Ekirra excitedly held up his football, panting.<\/p>\n

\u201cA way to score on a good goalkeeper. Liscor\u2019s has a great shield Skill and if you give him time to let it recharge, he can block most shots you can field. We need to work on better combos for scoring. Now\u2014I\u2019ve seen Pallass score in the last game. You let one person kick on the goal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Isn\u2019t that how you do it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot at all. A good technique is to pass and score. The keeper can\u2019t keep up, you see. So let\u2019s say you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRea, Coach!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you\u2019re coming at the goal, Rea, on the ground\u2026you\u2019d feint, pass left to Virr, here, and he passes again<\/em> to someone here. See? Three directions and the keeper might fall for any one of them. Besides which, player three in the corner here has the best, most direct angle in. That\u2019s how you score.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. Of course!\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Strategist] was making rapid notes. Joseph smiled. The game was more complex than just kicking the ball!<\/p>\n

\u201cPlus, now we have an aerial component. So I\u2019ll be playing and we\u2019ll be setting up scoring opportunities. Obviously, the defending team should try to stop us. We\u2019ll improvise some strategies. Let\u2019s fill the field!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ekirra raced out with the attacking team. Bemused, the Pallass team let him wave his arms as a kind of mascot. Joseph grinned as he took aim.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo Skills this time! Rea!\u201d<\/p>\n

He shot the ball to her. She went for a run on the goal. True to Joseph\u2019s comments, if you could set it up right, multiple passes to make the goalkeeper uncertain was a nightmare to defend against.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s rare you get that much time, though. Normally it\u2019s a few players at best coming at the goal. This is an ideal situation. However\u2014let\u2019s try with Skills!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph was shouting. Sir Relz and Noass were commentating, timing out the game until the next person slated for viewing\u2014a group of Garuda who wanted to pass the ball an entire mile between themselves without letting it strike the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot a bad showing, Noass, although we are getting some incredible displays of physical prowess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed, Sir Relz, but let\u2019s not forget, this is Coach Joseph on his first day. It might be too much to expect him to fully grasp Pallass\u2019 unique capabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Noass sniffed, mostly due to his cold, and helpfully set up the moment for what would come next. The two Drakes were looking benignly, condescendingly amused as they sipped some restorative tea. Joseph shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cAerial combo one! Rea!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This time he launched the football from the center of the field. Without a Skill, but straight at the Garuda. It was a risky move, and two fliers tried to dodge.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Drassi, can you commentate on the dangers of aerial passes?\u201d<\/p>\n

On the field, Drassi nodded as Rea lost the ball, failing to pass it properly and the team reset for another try.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir Relz! Aside from interception, you have to instantly pass. Which is a pain in the tail, or so it seems. The real danger though are the fliers. Broken ankles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBroken ankles, really?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes. Garuda and fliers at that angle and speed? I\u2019m told you can easily<\/em> break something. However, Coach Joseph is doing his best\u2014oh! Before you cut to something else, it looks like they\u2019re trying a Skill version of this!\u201d<\/p>\n

Sure enough, Joseph had lined up. This time\u2014Rea dove as he shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Pinpoint Distance Kick]!\u201d<\/p>\n

The ball shot<\/em> across the field. The Garuda dropped, just under the established height of thirty feet for an aerial pass, and screamed. Joseph hadn\u2019t ordered her to, but she\u2019d clearly seen how fast the ball was coming up and realized her leg might not survive the impact.<\/p>\n

Unless she used a Skill.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201c[Axe Kick]!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph\u2019s eyes widened as the Garuda dropped<\/em> and her clawed foot hit the ball. The impact was like a thunderclap<\/em> in the air.<\/p>\n

He was amazed the ball didn\u2019t explode from the pressure, but Pallass used enchanted<\/em> equipment, of course. The ball ricocheted down to earth like a comet.<\/p>\n

Missing the two players set for the pass. Rea didn\u2019t have fine control with her Skill, so it hit<\/em> the turf in front of the goal like a meteor. Dirt fountained up about ten feet in front of the goal as the ball began to bounce up. The goalkeeper was ready, but no one else was there. Cursing, Rea dove\u2014<\/p>\n

A little brown head came up and head-butted<\/em> the ball midair. By luck, by accident, the little Gnoll racing around in excitement had been close to the impact.<\/p>\n

Ekirra\u2019s head smacked<\/em> the ball and Joseph heard a ping<\/em> in his head at the same time as the ball bounced<\/em>. Straight into the Dullahan goal-keeper.<\/p>\n

The Dullahan had set himself, arm raised. He had a blocking Skill, and Ekirra shouldn\u2019t have generated that<\/em> much force. In truth, the little Gnoll might have knocked himself<\/em> silly given the dangers of such an impact. Yet something\u2026happened.<\/p>\n

The goalkeeper\u2019s eyes widened a moment before the ball struck him in the chest. Grimalkin, idly watching from the side\u2014blinked. The [Sinew Magus] saw the Dullahan, steel armor dented<\/em>, fly past his head. He whirled, pointed.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Featherfall]!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

He caught the Dullahan before the goal and keeper hit the ground. The impact had been more than just the ball; it had blown<\/em> the entire goal back!<\/p>\n

Ekirra lay on the ground, head spinning dizzily. Rea, the other players, Joseph\u2014Sir Relz and Noass\u2019 mouths were wide open.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2014what h\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Drassi picked herself up, looking astounded and at a loss for words for once. Grimalkin was already bending over the Dullahan, making sure he wasn\u2019t injured badly. As everyone came running over\u2014Joseph to check on Ekirra\u2014he stood up, nodding.<\/p>\n

\u201cDented armor. Maybe cracked ribs at most. Not a problem. The child?\u201d<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t look as concerned for Ekirra. Sure enough, the Gnoll boy was dizzy, but grinning stupidly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat in the name of scales was that?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the players demanded, wide-eyed. Grimalkin boomed the answer at the same time as Sir Relz bellowed it.<\/p>\n

\u201cCombination Skill! They just pulled off a Combination Skill live on\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Every head turned to Joseph. The [Kicker] stared around. Yet it was true. It had gone off in his head, as if he was about to fall asleep, but while he was fully awake.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[Combination Skill \u2013 Meteor Guardbreaker Shot obtained!]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Drassi threw up her claws. Pallass team began shouting. Joseph looked at Ekirra, then around, as clearly confused as everyone else.<\/p>\n

This was maximum entertainment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re just tuning in, a Combination Skill has just<\/em> been discovered, live! On Wistram News Network! Noass, can you explain to the viewers what this rare phenomenon is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, Sir Relz. It\u2019s a technique that only occurs when multiple<\/em> Skills activate at once. It can then be redeployed by any of the participants, but it is a highly situational, highly powerful<\/em> phenomenon.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two excited Drakes\u2019 voices were echoing through Wistram, who were as excited as the rest of the audience. It turned out little Ekirra had used a head-butt Skill, one of the three total he possessed.<\/p>\n

The rest was history.<\/p>\n

No, wait. The rest was maximum viewership<\/em> and television! In the Wistram News room, every [Seer], [Diviner], and so on were sorting through submissions, talking rapidly to people who wanted a piece of this moment.<\/p>\n

Not only them. [High Mages] and higher-ranking members of Wistram were \u2018helping\u2019, so it was no surprise to see Viltach shilling for Human submissions, and arguing with Nailihuaile.<\/p>\n

\u201cGive another [Knight] Order a chance! I have the Order of Seasons\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBoring! I want to see something amazing! Those\u2014put those on after the soccer team!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Star Lamia was excitedly waving her arms. She pointed and the obliging orb and broadcast, on a five minute delay, shifted to another viewpoint.<\/p>\n

Pomle. A group of [Martial Artists] were spread out over about four hundred feet of ground in a rough circle. They were leaping, kicking, or punching a ball that was ricocheting<\/em> around. Orjin, Strongest of Pomle, hit the ball so fast that the [Scaled Fist] missed her punch. It hit one of the oasis\u2019 trees, bounced<\/em> off the tree, and cracked it in half. Viltach spluttered of course, but the [Knights] were clearly<\/em> outmatched by that kind of entertainment.<\/p>\n

Of course, the live broadcast was still on Ekirra, who was smiling, still a bit cross-eyed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI learned how to head-butt before I played football! Guardsman Relc tried to teach me Relc Headbutt, but I only got\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The broadcast was filled with excited [Mages], interesting sights\u2014far overshadowing the poorer submissions.<\/p>\n

Which were, to their respective disappointments, the Order of Seasons and Nsiia, both of whom couldn\u2019t match the excitement of the best submissions.<\/p>\n

Into this moment strode Eldavin. The lesser [Mages] parted like a swarm in front of the half-Elf. He looked around.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you all doing?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Mages] looked at the upset Dragon. They hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cGrand Magus? Is something the matter?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI should say so! I am seeing this display of ability from every corner of the world! Yet where are the [Mages]? <\/em>Where is Wistram\u2019s pride?\u201d<\/p>\n

The half-Elf stared about. A few jaws dropped.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean\u2014but we\u2019re not [Warriors], Grand Magus. And this has been a decidedly, er, physical event.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the [Mages] blustered, and then recalled he was talking to Eldavin, who looked like a Grimalkin of half-Elves. He was fixed with a stare<\/em> by Eldavin that was practically a [Frostbite] spell of its own.<\/p>\n

\u201cYoung mage. Tell me something. Is there anything that can be done that Dr\u2014[Mages]<\/em> cannot do better?\u201d<\/p>\n

The arrogance of\u2026[Mages]. The group of spellcasters looked at each other. Eldavin sniffed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I thought. Put us \u2018on air\u2019 in fifteen minutes. Anyone wishing to join me is free to participate. Students, teachers\u2014I think outside the academy will do.\u201d<\/p>\n

He pointed at the Archmages.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rabbiteater sat on the grass, sipping from his water flask with the handy straw. The other [Knights] of the Order of Seasons sat around glumly.<\/p>\n

No featuring for them. Greysten was complaining to the Fall\u2019s Sentinel, who was personally talking to [Mages] in Wistram.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo luck, I\u2019m afraid. Look\u2014Wistram is next.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s sheer favoritism\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The Summer\u2019s Champion hesitated. For there, on screen, was Grand Magus Eldavin and nearly a hundred [Mages], students and older, demonstrating the art of grandstanding.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, how does the expression go? Ah, yes. Pass the ball.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Eldavin gestured. Then, with a good show of it, the white-haired half-Elf with the beard who looked like he was pushing two hundred casually kicked<\/em> the [Fireball] left. The [High Mage] turned dead white, but she fielded the ball, and kicked it ahead.<\/p>\n

The [Mages] were running too, incidentally. On\u2026Rabbiteater blinked.<\/p>\n

The surface of the ocean, around the Academy of [Mages]. One of the [Mages] passed the ball up towards someone else running on a [Light Bridge] spell. Eldavin harrumphed. He caught the eye of the \u2018camera\u2019 and closed one eye, smiling rather arrogantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a bit of magical finesse. Even [Mages] must indulge in such things. Keep running, students! [Tidal Wave]!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

He pointed to some lagging students and an obliging wave swallowed them. Ahead of Eldavin, the [Mages] were vying for the \u2018ball\u2019, throwing it around with telekinesis, laughing\u2014and showing off of course.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe that would be the spectacle to beat.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Fall\u2019s Champion remarked drily. Greysten threw his hands up in exasperation.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Mages]!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is too bloody amazing. Someone get me a [Teleportation] spell.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daly looked around as the [Mages] came onto the scrying orb. Ironically, the United Nations company and the Earthers there weren\u2019t as excited as other groups across the world.<\/p>\n

Mainly because Luan was missing. Even Daly was trying to force the mood a bit. He looked about, and then dropped it. Paige was looking at the orb, grimly tuning a crossbow.<\/p>\n

Luan was gone. Probably\u2026dead. There was no body, but the [Bounty Hunters] had been arrested once it had been clear they\u2019d hit him with a [Fireball] at sea.<\/p>\n

The scrying spells had failed to pick Luan up. Given that he didn\u2019t have anti-scrying gear\u2026it meant he was likely dead. No Luan to scry.<\/p>\n

Daly knew that, but he\u2019d led three water expeditions to where Luan had been. No good. He sat there, staring at the television without smiling much.<\/p>\n

Another reminder of mortality in Baleros. Yet Joseph\u2019s appearance had still had an effect. Ironically, not among the more sports-loving members of the United Nations; Daly, Dawson, and the others were somber.<\/p>\n

So was Geneva Scala. Yet she was determined as she slowly packed up the best copies of each surgical tool and instrument. Also, the jar donated by the Hundredfriends Courier, her notes and samples of other poultices, healing methods or experimentation\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cGeneva. Geneva, please, let\u2019s talk about this!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

She spoke. Or rather, her mouth moved. It was not Geneva who spoke, of course, just the other person inhabiting her mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve made up my mind, Idis. The Yellow Rivers plague is being managed.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was far from over, but the cure was out there. Geneva was busy packing. It was the first step, although she had to go to Daly and Paige right after this. Perhaps they\u2019d be upset.<\/p>\n

Idis certainly was.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight, right! But you promised! What about my people?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Geneva hesitated. The Selphids who had come to Talenqual had beseeched her to help with the sickness afflicting their kind. The wasting of their species.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026I\u2019m aware and I will do everything I can, Idis. However\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She closed her eyes. Her medical self weighed the ethics of her choice. An entire species versus one person?<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026The Wasting disease has not killed Selphids over this many generations. It may be callous, but there is a patient who needs my direct<\/em> supervision now. They have already failed to revive her and they might well kill her before I arrive. More than that?\u201d<\/p>\n

She stared at her personal scrying orb, which she seldom watched for recreation. Yet\u2026Geneva looked at Pallass, Joseph bouncing the ball with Ekirra.<\/p>\n

It looked safe. Safer<\/em> than Baleros, the continent plagued by so many bloody battles. Perhaps it was petty, wrong of her. Yet for once, she had done as Okasha always wanted. She was putting herself, or rather, her company ahead of her class.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will return. The United Nations Company might not go. Yet\u2026we might be able to journey to Izril relatively quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s too dangerous, Geneva. It will take weeks! Look, please talk to Calectus! You can\u2019t just decide this!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve made up my mind, Idis. I am asking you not to stand in my way. The Bodies of Fellden can join us, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

Geneva\u2019s hands were steady as she packed up her equipment. The truth was she wasn\u2019t sure this was the right move. What had forced her to choose was a number of decisions.<\/p>\n

The first was Luan. It was one too many lives lost. Geneva could\u2014would\u2014save lives here, as many as she could. Yet the other Earthers didn\u2019t deserve this.<\/p>\n

\u201cA bounty. They killed him over a bounty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGeneva\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The second reason was Erin Solstice. Geneva could not help Erin beyond formulating strategies without being there.<\/em> Not to mention a Potion of Regeneration might save countless lives if she figured out how it worked!<\/p>\n

The third reason was contradictory with her medical teachings. Yes, one person, even from Earth, did not outweigh the needs of a species afflicted by this Wasting disease. If Geneva measured by the QALY quotient\u2014quality-adjusted life years\u2014her decision was clear. Like a triage or other measurements a medical professional had to make in choosing who to help, Selphids as a people required assistance perhaps only Geneva could give.<\/p>\n

\u2026It would have been easy to rely on that. Except<\/em> for Idis. Except for Okasha. Except for Calectus and the Bodies of Fellden, the Selphid mercenary company, however well-meaning they were.<\/p>\n

If one tenet of Geneva\u2019s practice was to \u2018do no harm\u2019, and to save as much life as possible, another was not<\/em> to endanger her patients. She felt now, stronger than ever, that Baleros, and this Selphid company which had come here for her interfered with that second clause.<\/p>\n

It had taken a lot of time, making Idis her friend. Establishing the rapport she should have truly built with Okasha. Now was the moment, though. Geneva breathed out. There were actually few valuables the United Nations Company could not grab and run with. Their lease? They\u2019d lose it anyways. Gold? Possessions?<\/p>\n

She stopped as she put it all into her bag of holding. Not her choice. Geneva Scala\u2019s heart was beating fast, yet she felt the Selphid slow it reflexively. The [Doctor] spoke, as persuasively as she could.<\/p>\n

\u201cIdis. I am asking you to help me. I know what your orders are, and your company. Please. Assist me.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Selphid hesitated. Geneva Scala stood there, unable to move her body. For a moment, a long moment, she feared that she had failed, even after all her hard work getting Idis as an ally.<\/p>\n

Then her hand moved up and grabbed the doorknob.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014Geneva\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Idis didn\u2019t say anything. Yet she did not stop<\/em> Geneva from twisting the handle. The [Doctor] actually smiled, knowing Idis sensed it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Idis.\u201d<\/p>\n

She had to tell Daly and Paige, and then move now.<\/em> The United Nations company was not the Bodies of Fellden\u2019s target, anyways. That was why\u2014<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHuh. You know, there\u2019re not many Drowned Folks here. I suppose it\u2019s hard to play this game on the water. Always feels a bit land-biased to me, though, don\u2019t you think, Erek?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOok.\u201d<\/p>\n

The orangutan looked at Seve-Alrelious, the Hundredfriends Courier. It was the second time that Seve had been here in as many months and he knew he was attracting attention. His tattoos stood out across his body, and he smiled, but declined to chat. He was waiting for his passenger.<\/p>\n

She had prevailed on him, and of course the Hundredfriends Courier had answered the call. He understood there was some trouble, but Geneva Scala did not have to explain. She had to ask and he would answer. That was the debt he owed the Last Light of Baleros for saving so many selflessly.<\/p>\n

To wait, he checked the scrying orb, watching, while keeping an eye on the harbor docks. Geneva had told him it might be another hour or two, so he was game to wait. The trick was not to draw attention to her plans; he pretended he was waiting for a delivery, not intimating who<\/em> the cargo was.<\/p>\n

Seve waited, watching the splendid little diversion on the scrying orb with Erek, the glowing orangutan bound to him by magical tattoos.<\/p>\n

He waited.<\/p>\n

And waited.<\/p>\n

\u2026After three hours, Seve sensed something was wrong. He threw caution to the winds and made his way to the United Nations Company, then Geneva Scala\u2019s clinic.<\/p>\n

Of course, by then he was too late.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Geneva Scala, Last Light of Baleros and [Doctor], opened the door. A tall Dullahan, still bearing the body\u2019s death-wounds, blocked it.<\/p>\n

\u201cCalectus. What a surprise. Are you injured? How can I help\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Geneva stepped backwards. She was not<\/em> a good actress. Nor, as it turned out, would that have helped. The Selphid looked down at her, smelling of the faintly formaldehyde-analogous preservatives Selphids used.<\/p>\n

Calectus, [Honor Guard] of the Selphids looked down at Geneva in silence. His features were dead and though he mimicked his host-species\u2019 naturally less-emotive states, he was plainly disapproving.<\/p>\n

Reproachful, even. He adjusted the loose Dullahan\u2019s head attached to the body and spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cGeneva. I had hoped that the actions of my people earned us more trust than this.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Doctor] fell silent. He knew.<\/em> Calectus was not alone, either. A group of four Selphids stood behind him. However, she still made the best attempt possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, I\u2019m sure I have no idea what you\u2019re talking about. I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIzril is too far. Too dangerous. Did you not promise me you would help me save<\/em> my people?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Honor Guard] stood there, stiffly. He was disapproving. The other Selphids\u2014less so. Geneva hesitated.<\/p>\n

The truth was impossible to hide. So she stood, straighter, and faced him directly.<\/p>\n

\u201cCalectus. I intend to fulfill that promise. However, a patient needs my care in Izril.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne Human? You cannot risk your body, your life when we need<\/em> your abilities here!\u201d<\/p>\n

A Selphid she did not know the name of scoffed. The [Doctor] met his gaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is not your right to tell me who I must treat. I am aware of the suffering of Selphids. However\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

She hesitated, but it was time to say it. She looked at Calectus again, then slowly touched her back, indicating the wound that had left her paralyzed. Then her chest.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026This is not an equal relationship, or an unbiased one. Calectus. Okasha was proof of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

His eyes flickered. Some of the other Selphids exchanged glances. The [Honor Guard] inclined his head slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNevertheless, Doctor Scala. My people die and suffer. Will you not reconsider? The Bodies of Fellden and I have orders regarding you. Orders which I must carry out. However\u2014I would like to cooperate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Geneva hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo I have a choice?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet us provide escort to your company. Perhaps act in your stead. If you wished the rest of your company to journey to Izril\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCalectus, that is not within the scope of our mission.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt could be.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Selphids were not united. Calectus\u2019 head swung around to address a Selphid behind him, looking irritated at the lack of unity in front of Geneva. The [Doctor] peered at him, trying to gauge his reactions.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I promised to return? If you went with me\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

Calectus frowned. Again, the Selphid in robes, one of the [Mages], answered for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Minds will not allow this. Need we ask for instructions, Calectus?\u201d<\/p>\n

The voice was warning. The [Honor Guard] shook his head after another second. He met Geneva\u2019s eyes, looking torn.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am sorry, Geneva. Hollow words though they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

She exhaled, slightly. Lifted her hands; they were sweaty.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Then I will abide, Calectus. I will remain here. Perhaps if the United Nations company were given escort instead of me\u2014that would be amenable.\u201d<\/p>\n

He began to nod. The other Selphids hissed. Calectus held up a hand and stepped back.<\/p>\n

\u201cA moment, please, Geneva.\u201d<\/p>\n

They began arguing, one of them deploying a [Silence] spell. Geneva saw Calectus began to speak\u2014then gesture more emphatically. The angry [Mage] retorted\u2014Calectus lifted two fingers. Then lowered one.<\/p>\n

The other Selphids went quiet. Geneva\u2019s skin prickled as she felt, as she had on the battlefield, the propensity for violence or\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cCalectus. I will stay and treat the Selphids. Do no harm. Any of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked up and nodded. Geneva looked at the other Selphids.<\/p>\n

If only it could have ended at that. However\u2026the [Mage]\u2019s eyes narrowed. They put a hand to their temple, and their eyes widened, then became triumphant.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is no longer a possibility. Calectus. The Hundredfriends Courier<\/em> is docked at the harbor. She plans to escape with him! Do you think our company can or should clash with a Sea Courier of his reputation?\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh no. Seve! <\/em>Geneva saw Calectus\u2019 face change. He gave the other Selphid the same look\u2014then his face was anguished.<\/p>\n

Then resigned. He straightened and sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems you are correct, Magus.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCalectus, don\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Geneva looked around. The window? She began to edge over. And her feet abruptly stopped. She tried to make them move. Yet\u2026the [Honor Guard] was looking at her now. He spoke solemnly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor Scala, I respect your desires. However, the Minds of Selphids gave me clear instructions. Idis.\u201d<\/p>\n

Geneva\u2019s body had already stopped moving of course. Now, it straightened, with a [Soldier], a [Warrior]\u2019s precision. Even saluted the other Selphid. Geneva heard a whisper from within her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry. I warned you!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

They had known from the start. Geneva was helpless. The Selphid [Mage]\u2019s eyes were triumphant. Yet\u2014even as Geneva struggled against her own body and knew she would never win, she wondered how they had known <\/em>she was leaving to begin with!<\/p>\n

The answer became apparent as Calectus looked around and glanced over his shoulder, his head rotating a hundred and eighty degrees.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems we must engage our contingencies. Make the company ready. Doctor Scala is mostly prepared, which aids us. Grab any additional tools. Prepare to move out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, commander.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selphids moved into the clinic, smoothly grabbing additional supplies. Geneva tried to move her mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a mistake. How did you even\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

She saw Calectus gesture. One of the Selphid [Mages] walked over to a wall. He rubbed at the blank plaster\u2014and a glowing rune appeared.<\/p>\n

A listening spell.<\/em> They\u2019d bugged her clinic! And Idis had known\u2014that was why she\u2019d been arguing out loud\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Geneva stood there, at military attention as Calectus looked at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor Scala, your level has risen high enough. I must insist you accompany us.\u201d<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t even hard. Idis moved Geneva\u2019s body so there was no struggling. No fight to give. She just sat in the coach after leaving the clinic, lying to her staff\u2019s faces. Only when she was given her tongue back did Geneva look at the Selphids.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think you can force me to help you?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Selphids looked at her. Calectus looked slightly ashamed, yet he was still direct. He spoke, quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrankly\u2014yes. I\u2019m afraid your moral convictions are clear, Doctor Geneva. We are desperate. We cannot risk you dying on Izril. We\u2026I<\/em> am sworn to defend my people. Thus, my class. Even if I must cast aside honor to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n

He exhaled, though it was an unnecessary gesture. Geneva saw him turning, and felt her pivoting to walk with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t do this, Calectus. Please.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Selphid [Honor Guard] looked at her. Then he gestured.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour company will be untouched. They will not be able to follow us. We are taking you to one of our bases. The Minds await. Move out.\u201d<\/p>\n

That day, the Last Light of Baleros\u2014<\/p>\n

Vanished. Straight out from under the noses of all the observers, Niers\u2019 students, and her company.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was football. Or soccer if you were weird. Really, it depended on perspective. The point was\u2026was it coincidence, or was it football that caused this kind of day?<\/p>\n

This\u2026Empress Nsiia had gone through the worst days of her life. Yet the problem was, it was never a single day.<\/p>\n

It repeated. So, she shed a few tears. Armsmaster Dellic and some of Illivere\u2019s fittest warriors hovered, uncertain of why she was crying.<\/p>\n

Surely not vanity? It was not that.<\/p>\n

She just wanted them to know she was alive.<\/em> Yet she couldn\u2019t get onto the stupid news.<\/em> Nsiia sniffed. She would cut off a finger to give them something\u2026some of the cheer pervading the news.<\/p>\n

In fact, the news, which often gave no truth to tragedy. When it was happy, the \u2018world\u2019 was happy. When some arbitrary people decided everyone should grieve, that was what you saw.<\/p>\n

How quickly they had stopped saying Tiqr\u2019s name. How fickle the world was. Nsiia saw it as some vast, ever-changing thing. Not like an animal at all, but some hive which could be capable of great good, or wrath, but forgot faster than anything.<\/p>\n

Not like elephants. Not like Thef. A glorious and petty thing.<\/p>\n

So how did you get its attention?<\/em> Nsiia wiped her tears away just outside of Femithain\u2019s mansion, in the streets. She looked at the [Mage] and realized, ironically, the sight of the Empress of Beasts bawling her eyes out might have gotten her the attention.<\/p>\n

\u2026It might have, indeed.<\/em> Nsiia came to a sudden realization. Her eyes widened. She crouched and before Dellic could react, started running<\/em>. The [Mage], who had been yawning, snapped his head up as Nsiia put into action her plan.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Her conclusion was the exact opposite of Rabbiteater\u2019s. The frustrated Order of Seasons hadn\u2019t figured out how to top the displays on television. Aura blades and so on couldn\u2019t match the magic now sprinkled into these viewings.<\/p>\n

Rabbiteater had been giving it a good think himself, game to help these nice people. However\u2026he had to admit he wasn\u2019t that smart.<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t have some unique way to blend Skill and talent such that Wistram would have no choice<\/em> but to showcase the Order of Seasons. Perhaps a smarter person would have. Like Chieftain Rags. Or\u2026Erin.<\/p>\n

Rabbiteater missed her. He thought about it, as he sat in the grass. Then he had his idea. He trotted over to the Fall\u2019s Sentinel and made a request.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, Ser Solstice?\u201d<\/p>\n

The older [Knight] looked surprised, but he was perfectly content to put Rabbiteater\u2019s slightly-audacious plan into action. The Spring\u2019s Warden and Summer\u2019s Champion glanced up, slightly hopeful. Rabbiteater smiled.<\/p>\n

Where the Empress of Beasts had found a clever solution born out of her understanding of, well, people, the Goblin had taken a different tack.<\/p>\n

He just cheated.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The event was winding down. Joseph was tired, and Ekirra was falling asleep on his feet after working out so hard twice.<\/em> But the little Gnoll was smiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know his parents, Coach Joseph? Pallass might want to make them an offer of citizenship\u2026we could always use strong players for a junior team.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake [Strategist] was looking at Ekirra appraisingly. Joseph had no idea how to respond to that. He was almost snoozing himself as he waited to go back to the inn. Drassi had returned to the booth, ejecting Noass.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a great day of submissions. I think we\u2019ll be playing more all night that were recorded, but we have a few more live ones to get to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph\u2019s head nodded as he and Ekirra sat down, sweaty, exhausted, despite the stamina potions. He drifted off for a second.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[Conditions Met: Kicker \u2192 Football Player Class!]<\/span><\/p>\n

[Football Player Level 14!]<\/p>\n

[Skill \u2013 Fast Feet obtained!]<\/p>\n

[Skill \u2013 Second Wind obtained!]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Not so vast. But new. Joseph smiled as he opened his eyes. He\u2019d suspected that would have happened. He began to get up with Ekirra in his arms as the door opened. Yet he\u2019d done so too soon.<\/p>\n

The second notification hit him loud as, louder<\/em> than the first. And\u2014odd.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[Coach Dr\u2014ob\u2014!<\/p>\n

[Coachm\u2014obtai\u2014!<\/p>\n

[Radiant Coachdr\u2014]<\/p>\n

[Coach Class Obtained!]<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

[Coach Level 16!]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joseph walked into the wall. Yet it wasn\u2019t done. The voice in his head kept shouting, as if it was as amazed as he was.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[Conditions Met: Coach \u2192 Famed Coach Class!]<\/span><\/p>\n

[Conditions Met: Famed Coach \u2192 World-Renowned Coach Class!]<\/span><\/p>\n

[Skill \u2013 Eyes of Talent obtained!]<\/p>\n

[Skill \u2013 Unveil Potential (Magical) obtained!]<\/p>\n

[Skill \u2013 Legendary Reputation obtained!]<\/p>\n

[Skill\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joseph felt Ekirra wake up. He saw the little Gnoll yawn. Wide-eyed, Joseph looked about.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh my god. I broke it.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

He practically ran into The Wandering Inn, holding up Ekirra, wanting to stare at the news. It had to be that! How many people had seen Joseph? How many people had treated his advice as a lesson? It was the class. Teacher to the world.<\/em> He held Ekirra up as both stared at the scrying mirror. Ekirra\u2019s eyes widened as it flicked to another viewpoint. Joseph blinked. He forgot about his new class for a second.<\/p>\n

Two seconds later, he tossed Ekirra out of the common room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Empress Nsiia of Tiqr, or at least, what they called her on the news, did a juggling trick with a soccer ball. Then she kicked it.<\/p>\n

It bounced off Armsmaster Dellic\u2019s face. Nsiia laughed as he jerked in surprise. No one else was really fielding the ball, either. So she just ran.<\/p>\n

The [Scrying Mage] tracked her with his eyes as she ran. Incidentally, Nsiia knew<\/em> she was live.<\/p>\n

General Vasraf was summoned from his tent by a shout. He stared at the scrying orb, and his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.<\/p>\n

Salii, letting the [Martial Artists] continue their training exercise despite the cameras not being on them, looked up at the shout. The citizens who had fled Tiqr were staring at one of three scrying devices that all of Pomle had. Some were staring. Others\u2026laughing. Or cheering.<\/p>\n

Why? Salii glanced at her orb. She blinked, checked her spectacles.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. How clever.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cScandalous!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Sir Relz lost his monocle. Drassi was blinking, half-using her notes as a shield. She turned to the Drake.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh\u2014who decided to show this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot me! It\u2019s indecent! There are children watching it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWow. So someone in Wistram is a pervert.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drassi smiled. Then amended her statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose it\u2019s topical. Er\u2014this is almost definitely<\/em> Empress Nsiia, formerly of Tiqr, the Empress of Beasts. Is this how she normally exercises, or do you think it\u2019s special?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you asking me?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Sir Relz snapped. Drassi gave him a look.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I wouldn\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

She gave another glance at the scrying orb, which was getting a lot<\/em> of angry [Message] spells. Eldavin strode into the scrying room.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is wrong<\/em> with you people?\u201d<\/p>\n

But it was too late. Someone had indeed decided it was exceptionally<\/em> topical to feature Empress Nsiia running around the walls of the city. She wasn\u2019t doing anything special or running particularly fast. A few Golems were chasing after her, with blankets, as Magus-Crafter Femithain realized what she was doing.<\/p>\n

Yet she had<\/em> gotten herself on television. The only way she knew how.<\/p>\n

Nsiia was not topless. Because that implied there was other clothing on her. She was running, laughing, waving an arm at the [Mage] keeping her in view as Armsmaster Dellic and some of the soldiers followed. They seemed uncertain of what to do. Nsiia had begun removing clothing and, well, gotten a lot more attention from the [Mages] screening the submissions.<\/p>\n

General Vasraf stared at the Empress of Beasts evading a chasing Golem trying to insert a modesty-blanket into the scene. Sir Relz and Drassi were arguing\u2014Sir Relz actually to keep it up.<\/p>\n

\u201cEr\u2014well\u2014she\u2019s clearly making a statement, so if we\u2019re showing her\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if it was a naked male Drake! Gah! You\u2019re disgusting! Noass, get in here! I\u2019m leaving!\u201d<\/p>\n

Drassi frowned as someone approached her with a [Message]. Chaos in the studio.<\/p>\n

Vasraf saw Nsiia\u2019s head turn. She looked at the viewer. Across the world, people got a good view of\u2026everything, as she stopped and faced the viewers.<\/p>\n

Was it sheer vanity, madness, the King of Destruction\u2019s desire for attention that had prompted it? Certainly, it had an effect on a number of people.<\/p>\n

Including the Siren of Savere, whose eyes narrowed dangerously. Reminded of her nemesis. Queen Yisame delicately averted her eyes, but both glared.<\/p>\n

That did not look<\/em> like a miserable prisoner under Femithain\u2019s aegis, did it?<\/p>\n

It was not for either one that Nsiia did this. Not for attention. She looked into the scrying mirror, and the world\u2019s second nudist on television\u2019s smile wavered.<\/p>\n

The [Wild General] felt like\u2026she was staring at him. The warriors who had been looking at their leader looked at her eyes. Everyone else didn\u2019t notice her expression at first.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet me a recording.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ieka whispered to a [Maid].<\/p>\n

Saliss of Lights just rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cAmateur.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then he saw Nsiia lift an arm. Her tanned skin glistened in the fading sunlight. Surely some [Poets] were already composing verses about curves<\/em> and glistening and whatnot, as they did.<\/p>\n

They were welcome to it. Nsiia had stopped smiling. She lifted her hand up and clenched it into a fist. For this moment, she had abandoned modesty, as if she needed it. She looked into the orb, at Vasraf, at her citizens who might see her wherever they had gone.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople of Tiqr!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Nsiia shouted, as loudly as her lungs could fill with air. The [Mage], Dellic, and the others stopped. Even the Golems hesitated. The woman went on.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am no longer your [Empress]. I have failed you time and again! Even now, some of you labor in chains, stolen from your homes. The herds have fled, our mighty friends lie dead. I am a prisoner in a cage made of kindness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Femithain looked at the scrying orb, hearing the voice shouting, then a delayed copy coming from the orb. Nsiia\u2019s eyes shimmered with tears.<\/p>\n

\u201cYet this I swear: while I live, while our people still fight for our home, Tiqr has not died! While my heart beats, I will find you wherever you have gone. So\u2014live.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut it off!\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the [Mages] turned to adjust the spell. This wasn\u2019t casual nudity, which Wistram could condone. This was\u2014<\/p>\n

Eldavin calmly kicked the [Mage] behind the knees. Down they went. Eldavin looked around.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet her speak. This<\/em> is news.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked at the [Empress]. She was still speaking, knowing her time was running out. Eldavin gave her the moment. Brave girls.<\/em> He saw her, like so many, point at him. At\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cVasraf! <\/em>Don\u2019t you dare die until we meet again. I command you.\u201d<\/p>\n

She spread her arms, unashamed, and shouted. Crying, thrusting an arm back up in the air.<\/p>\n

\u201cTiqr falls! And Tiqr stands! Never forget! And give them no quarter! Tiqr stands! Tiqr\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The image went blank. Then, turned to the two stunned Drakes in the studio. They said something\u2014Vasraf didn\u2019t hear them.<\/p>\n

He was laughing. Tears running down his face as he laughed at his silly [Empress]. So too were the people in the tent. In Pomle, wherever they were.<\/p>\n

Empress of Beasts.<\/em> She wiped the tears from her eyes. Nsiia knew that when she slept, they would give it back to her. It was not a burden she craved. Yet for them, she would bear it again. She accepted a blanket from the Golem staring down at her. She saw Femithain walking out of the gates.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have quite made a mess of things, Empress Nsiia.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was all he remarked when he looked at her. Nsiia wiped at her face, and smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you expect to easily cage the Empress of Beasts, Magus-Crafter?\u201d<\/p>\n

He gave her a rueful look.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose I was quite arrogant.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, I feel like I<\/em> have to issue an apology here since no one else will. I didn\u2019t authorize that. Someone<\/em> did.\u201d<\/p>\n

The image had stayed on Drassi and Sir Relz in the booth. Although the other Drake seemed too embarrassed to come on set for the moment. So Drassi had command. She was sorting through [Messages] printed in-studio as she spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think this message puts it best\u2014\u2018While I am aware some viewers may find this sight full of attraction, I must complain on behalf of my subjects about the indecent nudity expressed on Wistram News Network. Younger audiences may have been inappropriately subjected to the indecency of monarchs displaying less than appropriate grandeur<\/em>\u2019\u2026wait a sec. That didn\u2019t go where I thought it would.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drassi frowned, checking the sender.<\/p>\n

\u201cEr\u2014that\u2019s by the Ruler of Khelt, Fetohep, of whom we can all agree with. Less than appropriate grandeur.<\/em> Right. I see this one wants more<\/em> naked people on air. Well, \u2018Oney Eminith\u2019, I don\u2019t agree. [Merchant] in Izril, incidentally. That\u2019s right, I\u2019m calling you out!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Drassi slapped down another [Message]. She glowered, putting peril into the flood of [Messages] coming this way. Drassi checked another one, frowned, blinked\u2014and then glanced up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWha\u2014no way. That\u2019s not\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

She stared at the [Message] in silence until Sir Relz hurried onto the set.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething inappropriate, Miss Drassi? I am assured Wistram will not be broadcasting any more nudity, and we will in fact warn and perhaps set up a channel for indecent\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, Relz. I\u2026hey. Get me in touch with Wistram. There\u2019s something you need to show. Here\u2014here\u2019s coordinates I guess. Just do it. Why? Because I\u2019m your [Reporter].\u201d<\/p>\n

Drassi looked rattled for a second. Then she went back to speaking.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think this day has given us all some things to think about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed. Quite.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sir Relz colored as she stared at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot what I meant, Sir Relz. The football practice<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEr, quite.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot to mention the wonderful displays of amazing talent around the world. In fact, we may be showing them later. I don\u2019t know, my time\u2019s up and I\u2019m going to relax on my time off. However\u2026someone\u2019s sent in a rather unique training montage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMore so than all of what we\u2019ve seen? Drassi?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sir Relz adjusted his monocle. Drassi nodded slowly. She stared ahead, waiting. And her tone was suddenly distant.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes indeed\u2026ah, here they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

At last, so they were. The Order of Seasons appeared in the scrying mirror. Waving, kicking the ball around.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the Order of Seasons, no doubt. Around their keep, running, passing the ball\u2014I see nothing extraordinary, Drassi. They are a renowned Knight Order, but what is the extraordinary event that prompted you to select them, may I ask?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sir Relz looked skeptical. He turned to Drassi. She was searching the [Knights] running about as the aerial [Scrying] spell moved.<\/p>\n

There he was. Rabbiteater saw himself, delayed on stream, waving up at the sky, turning to look at the orb, as the Summer\u2019s Champion beamed and slapped him on the shoulder. The Spring\u2019s Warden saluted, and the Fall\u2019s Champion looked quite delighted for their moment in the waning sun.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, it\u2019s more symbolic, Sir Relz. You see, I\u2019m being told that someone\u2019s issued a\u2026challenge? A commendation? \u2018From Liscor to Terandria, here I am.\u2019 <\/em>You were there, weren\u2019t you? I don\u2019t think you played soccer. Definitely baseball the first time it came here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drassi was speaking quietly, looking into the scrying orb. Sir Relz glanced at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean, the first game of baseball? Wasn\u2019t that around\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Wandering Inn. Yes. Celum, if you want to be more accurate, but he was there. So was I. This\u2026viewer\u2026is calling in from Terandria. They made it all the way there, or so I gather. A guest of the inn. A personal friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph\u2019s head rose as Ekirra banged on the door he\u2019d propped a chair against, demanding to see. He looked around. Ishkr turned, blinking, confused.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho could that be? There\u2019s no way\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho is our mystery caller? That [Knight], there, in the unadorned armor? I don\u2019t see a crest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s\u2026a Ser Solstice. Although he gave me a different name. He\u2014the name\u2019s secret. But he\u2014he likes eating rabbits. There\u2019s your hint.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drassi was breathing heavily. Her eyes were sparkling with tears. Sir Relz looked at her uncomprehendingly, not sure what had set this off in his co-host.<\/p>\n

Ishkr dropped his cleaning dust rag. Joseph looked around. He didn\u2019t see\u2014<\/p>\n

He ran to get Numbtongue. He never made it to the door; Bird smacked straight<\/em> into him, bowled him over, and ran, all four arms waving, into the [Garden of Sanctuary].<\/p>\n

The Hobgoblin ran out just in time to see \u2018Ser Solstice\u2019 raise an arm. Numbtongue\u2019s eyes were wide.<\/p>\n

It could not be. Yet\u2014he remembered Erin receiving the ransom notice. There he was.<\/p>\n

His armor hid his face. But look: the crimson cloak swung around his shoulders. He still carried Headscratcher\u2019s axe.<\/em> Numbtongue reached for the mirror.<\/p>\n

Drassi was hiccupping. She managed to stifle it. Because there was another layer to this.<\/p>\n

\u201cSer Solstice writes\u2014\u2018I am playing this fun game. Challenging the [Innkeeper] and inn when I get back. Very nice [Knights] here.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSer Solstice. The name is familiar. The [Innkeeper] has to mean\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Sir Relz looked at Drassi.<\/p>\n

Rabbiteater saw the Drake\u2019s anguished face at last. He slowed his waving and smile behind his helmet. Because, of course, she had realized something.<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t know. In this world, the guests of The Wandering Inn had gone far and wide. His last \u2018message\u2019 from Erin had convinced Rabbiteater she was fine. He didn\u2019t know.<\/p>\n

Today, the news reached the second-last person to hear it. Drassi\u2019s tears were trickling down her cheeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m\u2014so glad you\u2019re okay, Ser Solstice. I thought you died. There\u2019s something you should know, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Magnolia Reinhart said nothing. She sat, watching in silence, genial mood lost again. The third-last and fourth-last people, Magnolia and Ressa, listened to the news as Drassi broke it.<\/p>\n

Tried to break it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe thing is\u2026Ancestors, I don\u2019t know how to say it. I thought everyone knew. <\/em>Erin\u2014she helped bring baseball here. She\u2019s\u2014was\u2014the [Innkeeper] of Liscor. Famous in Liscor. Pallass too, if you don\u2019t know. I\u2019m sorry. It\u2019s just. She\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Rabbiteater stared blankly at the orb. The Spring\u2019s Warden, Summer\u2019s Champion, Fall\u2019s Sentinel, and Knight-Commander Calirn had all halted.<\/p>\n

They knew from cadence and tone, just Drassi\u2019s face. It was not something Rabbiteater could imagine, though. He stared, confused. Until it hit him.<\/p>\n

It was not Drassi who delivered the news at last. She couldn\u2019t get the words out. Sir Relz, almost callously, spoke, finally snapping his fingers.<\/p>\n

\u201cErin Solstice. Yes, I recall her. The proprietress of The Wandering Inn. She is\u2026dead. Isn\u2019t she? Killed during a raid by the city of Hectval in\u2026oh.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drassi looked at him. Sir Relz scrambled to clarify.<\/p>\n

\u201cA terrible tragedy. Hectval\u2014to inform our viewers, the city of Hectval launched a raid that\u2014I understand measures were taken to preserve her life and Liscor and Hectval are in a state of war\u2014but the [Innkeeper] known as Erin Solstice passed away roughly\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

He went on. Rabbiteater didn\u2019t hear it. He had dropped the scrying orb.<\/p>\n

\u201cSer Solstice?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Spring\u2019s Warden said something. Greysten turned to Rabbiteater, mirth forgotten. Ser Calirn reached out. Too slowly.<\/p>\n

Rabbiteater felt the world sinking around him. He realized it was not the world\u2014he was.<\/p>\n

He fell backwards, darkness closing in. He had never passed out, not in battle, not when he was wounded, bleeding. For the first time in his life, he let oblivion take him.<\/p>\n

Rather than face the truth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was the last note of Drassi\u2019s broadcast. She left, unable to continue recording and Sir Relz took over to apologize.<\/p>\n

It was a sad moment to interrupt all the entertainment of the day. Too much reality, interjected into television.<\/p>\n

That was the distinction between life and media. Uplifting, depressing, pure melancholy, slice-of-life\u2014each to their own moment.<\/p>\n

Silly and grand. Action-packed and trivial.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo. Another one of us is gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

R\u00e9mi Canada slowly exhaled. He slowly crossed her name off the list. He had worked so hard to uncover it. Yet like so many\u2026they were gone when he looked for them. Like the group he had parted ways from at A\u2019ctelios Salash.<\/p>\n

A cruel world.<\/em> A realistic one. He slowly turned back to what he was working on. He would pray for Erin Solstice later, if he could find the words and belief.<\/p>\n

Today? He turned to the head of the broadcasting studio. Not\u2014Wistram\u2019s,<\/em> but the elegant Stitchwoman, Silk-caste, of Nerrhavia\u2019s Wonders, the Chandrarian-broadcast studio.<\/p>\n

\u201cBad news, Journalist Canada?\u201d<\/p>\n

She attempted to look properly contrite for his loss, but R\u00e9mi just shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one I knew personally, Emir Elanna. Is everything prepared?\u201d<\/p>\n

The woman flicked her fingers slightly as she replied, a refined gesture with multiple layers of meaning.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo a modicum of satisfaction. Such a barbaric game. Yet you assure us that Wistram will find it of note. I can well assume the spectacle will attract such event. Such that Nerrhavia\u2019s splendors will acquire their deserved place in the spotlight.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was a \u2018yes\u2019, which R\u00e9mi interpreted after a moment. He nodded, and the Emir gestured elegantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet us begin the spectacle.\u201d<\/p>\n

She intoned, and into the air, the [Journalist] looked.<\/p>\n

Of course, he knew Wistram was making an event of football. The Canadian [Journalist] was also aware people who met with Wistram\u2019s agents tended to disappear, probably to Wistram. He had watched the [Popstar]\u2019s performance, after all.<\/p>\n

Well and so, R\u00e9mi had mixed feelings on how to influence global events, if at all. This? This was more in giving Nerrhavia and by extent, Chandrar, a bit of fair ground in the war for attention.<\/p>\n

For Earthers, a hint that not everything came from Wistram.<\/p>\n

\u2026And mainly because it was a lot of fun.<\/p>\n

\u201cGrand viewers of Chandrar and the world over! I am Emir Elanna of Nerrhavia\u2019s Fallen! It is my delight to introduce you to another new \u2018sport\u2019, that has not been showcased before on live broadcast!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

At least this woman had the right stage presence for the job. As her broadcast came to life, Wistram News Network itself began to lose viewers as Nerrhavia\u2019s Fallen literally bought attention.<\/p>\n

Also because it was new. Trey Atwood nearly choked to death as the competing broadcast came to life. The Earthers of Wistram looked up, confused at what sport they\u2019d had left to introduce? Basketball? Hockey? They saw R\u00e9mi Canada of course, and Elena was out of her chair, pointing. The [Mages] in a furor.<\/p>\n

\u201cHim and that Joseph! Why are they at large? How could High Mage Merzun have lost against <\/em>Montressa in Liscor?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Naili hissed at Beatrice. Eldavin, listening in past their shoddy spells, frowned. He hadn\u2019t excluded Liscor from Wistram\u2019s greed. He\u2019d forgotten there were more.<\/p>\n

A reckoning would have to come. He drummed his fingers on the table, then glanced at the scrying mirror set against the banquet hall\u2019s wall.<\/p>\n

\u201cAm I to take it from your reaction that this is another aspect of Earth?\u201d<\/p>\n

Archmage Valeterisa eyed Elena with interest. The [Beautician] was spluttering.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes! No! It\u2019s\u2014sort of, but we can\u2019t play it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat madman. That genius!\u201d<\/p>\n

Aaron stood up and applauded R\u00e9mi as the young man explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a game dearly, dearly<\/em> beloved in my homeland, Emir Elanna, and I can only thank the munificence of Queen Yisame that she has graciously recreated it for me here. To anyone who recognizes this\u2014the game is known as the famous, nay, renowned<\/em> sport of\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Trey\u2019s jaw dropped.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it, Troy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Goelv asked, the Gazer\u2019s eyes curious. The [Sand Mage] breathed the answer as his fellow students stared at him uncomprehendingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuidditch.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The carpets rose into the air, and two actual broomsticks. Nervous Stitch-People holding bats, the enchanted balls, and of course, the golden object of possession all hovered higher. An enchanted sphere zipped about as R\u00e9mi explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou see, this is a [Mage]\u2019s game. I am surprised Wistram<\/em> didn\u2019t know about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

He raised an eyebrow. The Emir, clearly enjoying the ribbing at Wistram, laughed politely.<\/p>\n

\u201cYet, as I understand it, players may hit these dangerous objects at each other? Even knock each other from the vehicles? Which is why all<\/em> are warded with falling enchantments, of course. Such a violent game. Barbaric, even.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, Emir Elanna, you know [Mages]\u2026unconventional. However, I thought it would be lovely to showcase. Perhaps Wistram lacks the artifacts to field their own team?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to play! How did none of you think of it?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Aaron bellowed as he left the table. George pointed at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow come you<\/em> didn\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n

A barbaric game? They were laughing, clamoring to play! The first game of the fictional<\/em> game from Earth that had never been realized in actuality took place as the [Mages] susurrated. Hardly barbaric! Trey shook his head. It was amazing! He realized he\u2019d given away his cover, though, and was scrambling to explain to his friends\u2014<\/p>\n

\u2026Right before the first fatality. A novice [Carpet Rider] lost control of her carpet.<\/p>\n

She was of the String People, yes. Yes, she had enchantments. However, hitting the ground at nearly a hundred miles per hour meant none of that mattered.<\/p>\n

The audience, R\u00e9mi, and the Emir all went quiet. Eldavin snorted quietly at his table.<\/p>\n

\u201cFools.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Quarass did likewise, as she watched the same broadcast. The reason no one played that game was that flying was incredibly dangerous.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was a benefit to the death, however. Not to the grieving fianc\u00e9, the family, or the broadcast, which had to be terminated and all the hard work ended by the fatality.<\/p>\n

However, there was a benefit. Just not for the living.<\/p>\n

The bewildered ghost arose where she had died. Correspondingly, as the reality of her death set in, she was not<\/em> lost to shadows, consumed. In fact, she was welcomed by the lines of ghosts, practically dragged<\/em> before a council of royalty led by Khelt\u2019s dead.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell us what is happening in the world, child.\u201d<\/p>\n

The First of Khelt spoke, staring down at the little [Carpet Rider]\u2019s ghost. For how else would the dead know what was happening in the world?<\/p>\n

There were very few ways, Erin had learned. S\u00e9ances, summoning rituals to bind dead to the living, were out of fashion because of course the ghosts had been fleeing the\u2026things\u2026all this time.<\/p>\n

Now, it would be impossible in Izril, or virtually. Plus, the living had to make the effort in most of the ways. For the dead to call on the living?<\/p>\n

Only a few methods remained, and the easiest\u2014via Khelt, wasn\u2019t working.<\/p>\n

\u201cFetohep has<\/em> left Khelt!\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the rulers cried aloud, frustration clear on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo give it life and expand the borders. We understand the reasoning, if not condone it. Yet the timing is ill indeed. Perhaps our enemy commands luck itself. Fate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake heart. Now\u2014explain to us once again. What is \u2018soccer\u2019? We understand Wistram\u2019s broadcast.\u201d<\/p>\n

The half-Giant ruler bent down and boomed to the quavering [Carpet Rider], staring at the dynasties of Chandrar\u2019s greatest rulers and heroes.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo as before, now again. Mass-communication spells link this world. In my era, it was naught to be surprised at.\u201d<\/p>\n

An Archmage sneered, as some of the rulers looked mightily impressed at the phenomenon. A [Sage] prodded her in the back.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour era was marked by the end of magic<\/em> for nearly three hundred years, due to the experiments your<\/em> academy conducted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was an accident!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAccident?<\/em> Countless millions died screaming from what you unleashed! Magic ended.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt came back!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ghosts argued and bickered, silenced only when the greatest among them restored order. It was a sight to see, the conclave of the dead. If Erin could have watched, she would have.<\/p>\n

However, Califor dragged her away from the ruckus to the eight.<\/p>\n

Eight.<\/em> An auspicious number, but Califor made nine, and Erin made ten. So\u2026less auspicious. They didn\u2019t care.<\/p>\n

Eight [Witches] sat or stood in a former throne room of old. They looked at Erin.<\/p>\n

[Witches]. Each one far greater than Califor had been in life. The greatest of their eras.<\/p>\n

First [Witches]. Later\u2014[Sages], [Heroes], [Monks], [Mages], and all the others who were vying to teach Erin Solstice. However, Califor had convinced the Rulers of Khelt to let [Witches] be first. How she\u2019d managed that, Erin had no idea. Perhaps the First of Khelt simply agreed that their classes shared common ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. The living soul walks among us.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the [Witches]\u2019 souls was so old she had forgotten what she looked like. She was more wisp than person, and kept coming back into focus. When Erin did look at her, she saw a grand<\/em> woman, reclining with fur instead of robes, legs crossed, a smile like mischief itself on her lips, and a feather in her witch\u2019s hat.<\/p>\n

All style, in short. Another [Witch] had eyes like a storm front itself was contained in them. Yet another was tall as two floors of Erin\u2019s inn. Her skin looked like bark.<\/em><\/p>\n

Legends. They sat, waiting, as the [Innkeeper] halted in front of them. Faced with the greatest of witch-kind that had ever died on Chandrar, Erin Solstice stopped.<\/p>\n

Then she walked over to the nearest [Witch] and held out a hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cErin Solstice. Nice to meet you. Wanna hamburger?\u201d<\/p>\n

She offered the [Witch] of trees a hamburger of memory, Imani-style since all the ghosts liked that. The [Witch] stared at her. Califor made a strangled sound in her throat.<\/p>\n

After a second, fingers like twigs took the burger. Erin went around the circle, smiling and talking.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, I\u2019m Erin. Have a hamburger. Hi, I\u2019m Erin. Hamburger? Erin\u2014burger? Um\u2014spaghetti?\u201d<\/p>\n

She conjured the memory of a good spaghetti with alfredo sauce. Califor reached out and smacked<\/em> it out of Erin\u2019s hand. The plate hit the ground, shattered, and vanished.<\/p>\n

One of the remaining [Witches] looked disappointed. Another, who sat in the center, did not.<\/em> She raised one eyebrow and spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe did not come here to gorge ourselves on memory and regret, girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin looked at her. Even the [Innkeeper]\u2019s cheerful bravado wilted for a second.<\/p>\n

An eye<\/em> stared back. A vast eye, joined by smaller ones, opening and closing, shrouded by a single, vermillion witch\u2019s hat. Each iris a different color.<\/p>\n

That was all Erin could make out. There were\u2026limbs\u2026yes, but the [Witch] beneath the hat was shrouded by darkness. It wrapped around her, yet Erin saw the flash of sharp teeth as the mouth spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are everything Witch Califor says. More and less.<\/em> The courage to face down what we will not name. The arrogance to make nothing of your talents, to be satisfied with mediocrity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin Solstice stared at the [Witch]. The things Erin had learned were these:<\/p>\n

Gods were petty, ghosts were chaotic, and [Witches] were rude.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026But you\u2019re dead. It\u2019s just a burger. Don\u2019t you want\u2014?\u201d<\/p>\n

She was about to say that the [Witches] might never get a second chance to remember food or the joys of the living, but the [Witch] snapped back a reply.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are<\/em> dead, with the infinity of the afterlife before us. Yet somehow, you still manage to waste time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin hesitated. Califor took her place, and the nine [Witches] looked at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou must learn something, Erin Solstice. We believe your nature matches ours. Will you at least listen to what we have to teach you?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Innkeeper] bit her lip. She fidgeted in front of the [Witches], glanced around.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe? But I don\u2019t really fit in. Are you sure<\/em> there are no legendary [Innkeepers] or, like, amazing [Bartenders] I can learn from? Really, that\u2019s more fitting than\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She trailed off in front of the stares of the [Witches].<\/p>\n

\u201cA fish dances on the line less desperately than you. What fear you, Erin Solstice? You have died. What is there left to fear?<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

Another [Witch] commented, her voice bubbling, hat concealing half-aquatic features. Erin looked around.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just not um\u2014[Witch] material! I like your hats! It\u2019s just\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs stubborn as teaching Dragons manners. You said as much, Califor. I wonder why.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yet one more [Witch]. She crackled<\/em>, sitting opposite the [Witch] of trees. She wasn\u2019t exactly fire. More like the memory of it. Thus\u2014charcoal skin. Ash, as if she were flaking apart as Erin looked at her. This ash-witch leaned forwards. She had one eye; the other was a socket.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you fear? Not the power of it, I think. Yet something holds you back.\u201d<\/p>\n

In front of the nine stares, Erin Solstice hesitated. Why did<\/em> she resist? She was dead. The world was in danger. She had always wanted the power to help her friends. Dreamed of it. Longed for it in those dark days. Why\u2026?<\/p>\n

The answer slipped out of her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if I\u2019m not special, though?<\/em> What if I can\u2019t live up to those expectations? I don\u2019t think I\u2019m capable of changing things. If you give me all this knowledge and put me in that place where everyone counts on me\u2014what if I fail and they all suffer and die because of me?\u201d<\/p>\n

It was her great fear. A true answer, perhaps one of the truest she had ever given. Erin hung her head as she stood before the dead women.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drowned Witch sat back. The others looked at each other. Two hats nodded. Then, almost as one, the coven began to laugh at her.<\/p>\n

Bubbling chuckles, laughter like crackling wood. A hearty, booming laugh from the oldest among them. They laughed at Erin.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey. I was being heartfelt there. This is hurting my feelings.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Innkeeper] protested. Yet, the [Witches] just guffawed in her face. The one made of wood spoke. Her tones were hollow, like that of Giants.<\/p>\n

\u201cSO SAYS THE CHILD WHO STOLE FROM THE ___S THEMSELVES. WHO STOLE THE BLADE OF KINGS!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

A leafy bough lowered, holding a hat made of leaves. The [Witch] looked Erin in the eye, not unkindly. That was just it. None of them were incapable of kindness. They might refuse to offer it, but it was in them.<\/p>\n

Great kindness. Terrible wrath. And a desire\u2026two vast eyes fixed Erin with a knowing look.<\/p>\n

\u201cIF AN ARMY STOOD BETWEEN YOU AND A SINGLE FRIEND, WOULD YOU LET IT BAR YOUR WAY?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The reply came out of Erin.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. But I wouldn\u2019t fight them. I\u2019d\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Another [Witch] interrupted. The Gazer blinked at Erin.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf a wrong exists, will you not right it, if it is within your power? Do you let injustice walk before you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not\u2014no, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see foolhardy bravery. Burning passion. Cunning\u2014so deeply hidden it fools even herself! All she lacks is the courage to admit what she is! I see all that is a [Witch].<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

The others nodded. Erin felt like they were running over all her protests and objections, which of course was exactly what they were doing. She spread her hands.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2014What if I fail, though?\u201d<\/p>\n

Califor stood up. The [Witch] adjusted her hat, and looked Erin straight in the eye.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be a [Witch] is to try. You need not even bother to try. Do you think we would leave it to chance? You can struggle or protest or run. We will make<\/em> you a [Witch]. Yet we will ask. Will you give it your all?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Innkeeper] met her first teachers of the dead. She looked from gaze to gaze, ancient beings, terrifying power.<\/p>\n

Women, people who had once been like her. None of them had forgotten it. That was the difference between them and Belavierr. Between them and the six\u2026gods.<\/p>\n

They waited. Erin sighed. Not in denial\u2026just letting go of something. Excuses, probably. They drifted away in the land of the dead. It did not change her in any visible way, or who she was.<\/p>\n

Perhaps, though\u2026slowly, Erin relaxed her shoulders and straightened her back. She nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I can try.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Witches] smiled. As one, they nodded their pointed hats. Erin slowly sat as her lessons in the land of the dead began. She had already received her first one.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A game of football. That night, Joseph relaxed in his bed, feeling more secure than he ever had before. Oh\u2014Liscor\u2019s people weren\u2019t happy. Several had<\/em> come to shout at Joseph, including Lism.<\/p>\n

However, it could have been worse. What truly mattered though, was his class.<\/p>\n

[Coach].<\/p>\n

He was no great football player, for all he was the first to get the class. Joseph could accept that. However, he would try<\/em> to become the world\u2019s best football coach.<\/em> He\u2019d fight for that, especially with the head start he had.<\/p>\n

A day in the sun and shine with consequence all around.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Geneva Scala was missing, and her disappearance threw Talenqual into chaos, not least her allies.<\/em><\/p>\n

Empress Nsiia had regained the attention of her enemies. Tiqr fell, Tiqr stood.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Grand Magus, Eldavin, prepared to shake Wistram\u2019s foolish ways apart.<\/em><\/p>\n

Mrsha had gone to Invrisil with a friend.<\/em><\/p>\n

Rabbiteater, Ser Solstice, awoke to learn the world had ended.<\/em><\/p>\n

Erin Solstice studied in the lands of the dead.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

More, of course. Yet for now, the last thing to happen of any note was the little broadcast that most had missed.<\/p>\n

The tearful words of a Drake to the Goblin who had not known. It played the world over of course, but aside from making some people sad, it had no impact<\/em>, no connection with most who saw it.<\/p>\n

Those that had known had already known. Except for those who had known wrong.<\/p>\n

Even the skeleton had known. Even the Goblins and Antinium. Even Healing Slime, and the blind [Emperor] and little rats in a Minotaur\u2019s enchanted cell.<\/p>\n

The last person in this world to learn the truth watched and listened to the broadcast, chuckling, making comments. Then choked, sprayed the noodles out of the bowl he was eating after his shift.<\/p>\n

The stall owner objected, but the person didn\u2019t react. He sat there, holding the bowl until it cracked\u2014then tossed down money and left the stall, shakily.<\/p>\n

He walked the unfamiliar streets of a different city, attracting indifferent looks as he walked to his temporary apartments.<\/p>\n

Senior Guardsman Relc stopped to lean against a building. He was fumbling at his belt pouch. He\u2014his clawed hand was shaking. He yanked something out.<\/p>\n

How could it be? How?<\/em> Had they forgotten? Had they\u2014<\/p>\n

The letter was neat, printed from the Mage\u2019s Guild, and now he looked at it, too sparse in details. They detailed the war, which he\u2019d been worried about. But in each one, now, he saw the truth the Drake had carefully written around.<\/p>\n

His daughter\u2019s neat handwriting, just above her signature on the latest letter, stood out to Relc Grasstongue.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Everything is fine over here.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Relc slowly slumped down the wall. All lies eventually bore out, even the best-intentioned of them. He sat there, processing what had happened long before he had known, that everyone else had gone through before him.<\/p>\n

It changed nothing for Relc. He sat there for a long time. In a city far from the inn where he should have been.<\/p>\n

What came after that was a different story, for another day.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Author\u2019s Notes: <\/strong>This is not the side story chapter with the theme of \u2018Paradigm Shift\u2019. I was surprised it won, but I will write it! Maybe next chapter?<\/p>\n

However, this\u2014is me writing what I want to write, and need to write. This is not \u2018Uplifting\u2019, or \u2018Slice-of-Life\u2019, but it has elements of a lot of the side stories put into one whole, unlike Paradigm Shift, which gets its own chapter. As you might infer from the downer parts.<\/p>\n

Some things like Geneva\u2019s section were pieces I didn\u2019t know how to incorporate and left hanging too long, perhaps. They could have been chapters of their own, but I put them in here.<\/p>\n

Writing choices. At any rate, I\u2019m back. I hope you enjoy this first chapter, and the amazing art of Enuryn\u2019s that has just been done! The Wandering Inn\u2019s menu, in high-res detail! All the things you can\u2019t eat at the moment!<\/p>\n

Thanks for reading for now, and look forwards to more stories. Let me know which one you\u2019d like, in addition to the one you\u2019ve voted on, of course! I\u2019ll let you know when you get that one. For now, I\u2019m away!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Wandering Inn Menu by Enuryn the [Naturalist]!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Iron Prince by Bryce O\u2019Conner and Luke Chmilenko has just been released as an audiobook! Also by Podium; consider giving it a try if you\u2019re out of chapters of The Wandering Inn!) \u00a0 When he first arrived here, he thought it was a glorious adventure. Of course, he\u2019d been confused, scared, intimidated by a world […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52856846,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"patreon-level":0,"patreon_level":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11693088,349],"tags":[],"twi_volume":[11693137],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-10330","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-8","category-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n8.15 - The Wandering Inn<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2021\/03\/30\/8-15\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"8.15\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"(Iron Prince by Bryce O\u2019Conner and Luke Chmilenko has just been released as an audiobook! 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