Aiko Nonomura sat at a table and felt a bug run up her leg. She brushed it off absentmindedly, not even bothering to check what it was. A few months ago, Aiko would have screamed, cried, and washed her leg\u2014especially since Baleros\u2019 bugs were the kind of things that lodged in the mind. Literally, if they crawled up your nose.<\/p>\n
Today, though, was different. Aiko could have stomped a dozen bugs and not blinked twice. There were more important things to worry about. Geneva had taught her that.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, Aiko had helped deliver a Centaur baby\u2014colt. A baby. And she hadn\u2019t panicked or fainted. She couldn\u2019t. She\u2019d been Geneva\u2019s assistant. Wiping sweat, holding clamps\u2014Aiko had seen worse than a childbirth. And in surgery, the stakes were never higher.<\/p>\n
There was no surgery today. Everyone was hung over or tired from last night\u2019s party. But the present leaders of the United Nations company were here. Geneva had woken up, and they were talking.<\/p>\n
Just\u2014talking about the future. But Aiko could sense a shift in the mood from last time they\u2019d talked, two days ago. There was more optimism. Not just from Ken\u2014he was always trying to be cheerful and bring everyone\u2019s spirits up, even if Aiko could tell he wasn\u2019t happy. But the reason the group felt better was because of her.<\/p>\n
Geneva. She sat in her chair, not tense, worried, or guilty for once. The intensity of her eyes, that glare that could go through you, was subdued. She had done her job. She had saved Miss Hastel and delivered the baby. She felt\u2026confident. Calmer. And Aiko was reassured for it.<\/p>\n
They all were. Around the table, Daly, Paige, Siri, Ken, and Aiko sat, listening to Geneva outline her proposal.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, a clinic?\u201d<\/p>\n
Daly sat up. He looked good too. He\u2019d come in late last night, and no one asked why. Come to that\u2014some of the United Nations members hadn\u2019t come back until the morning. Aiko wasn\u2019t sure what to make of that; it wasn\u2019t the fact that they might have found love outside the Human genome that bothered her. Dullahans, Lizardfolk\u2014even Centaurs you could love, she was sure.<\/p>\n
Because they were like people. You didn\u2019t think they would be. You thought they\u2019d be like aliens, but all too soon it felt like you were just talking to someone with a different face. And when you closed your eyes\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cA clinic. It doesn\u2019t have to be large, but I need at least one room to perform surgeries in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Geneva nodded. Siri frowned a touch anxiously.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat means another house at the least. Can we afford it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Paige snorted, but gently.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can afford it and maybe get two apartments on this street. Miss Hastel\u2019s gratitude knows no bounds.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I wouldn\u2019t say no bounds\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, she\u2019s still going to charge us rent. But her gratitude goes a long way. We can definitely get a good deal on it. And from what you\u2019re saying, Geneva, money might not be a problem anymore. Is that right?\u201d<\/p>\n
Paige looked at Geneva hopefully. The [Doctor] smiled slightly. She actually smiled!<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. I think I\u2019ve found a permanent source of income outside of treating amputated limbs and so on.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cC-sections. Who would\u2019ve thought?\u201d<\/p>\n
Daly leaned back. Ken looked from Geneva to Aiko.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou think it will earn money, Geneva? And that you will have business?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think so. Miss Caleffe told me Centaurs have the most complicated childbirths out of all the species, but there are always problems a [Midwife] has to learn to anticipate. And Caesarian sections are a way to avoid those complications. It\u2019s not an easy way out\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEven if healing potions don\u2019t leave a scar and it\u2019s less strenuous on the body than birth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paige muttered under her breath. Geneva gave her a reproving look.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to make it seem like this is the better option. And I am concerned about complications during the operation. I had no experience prior to this, and Miss Hastel was the first surgery I ever performed. There are four main species on Baleros, each with different anatomies\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The others let Geneva go on. But despite the good [Doctor]\u2019s reservations, her conclusion was the same.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can be on call for childbirths. And if a [Midwife] detects a problem or if a mother comes to me\u2026I can perform the operation. It might be a case where those who are affluent come to me to have the operation done to preserve their figures or lessen the pain.\u201d<\/p>\n
Geneva grimaced. Aiko nodded. She\u2019d heard of that happening. Too many operations as opposed to natural births. But that was a moral quandary for later. Right now, the point was that Geneva had something that everyone needed.<\/p>\n
After all, wars came and went. Healing potions could heal most mundane injuries. And severed limbs were rare, if distressing anomalies. But childbirth was forever.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe might get more patients coming in just by word of mouth alone. Saving Miss Hastel\u2019s baby put your name out there again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paige was trying to figure out how much they could spend to get Geneva\u2019s clinic up and running. There were things to be considered, like how to charge people. Geneva was firm in that she\u2019d give anyone who needed medical attention aid, especially pregnant mothers. Ken proposed a fine alternative\u2014charge them by what they could pay. A [Merchant]\u2019s wife could make up for a half dozen poorer patients.<\/p>\n
But there was something else Geneva had to talk about. And it came up the instant she turned to Daly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hear a group of Dullahans may be joining your team.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAh. The Rustless Guard? Yeah. I spoke to Eldima last night. She was really impressed by our group. And I think we can hit it off. Uh\u2014working together that is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daly grinned sheepishly. A hint of a blush crossed his features. The others around the table reacted according to their personalities. Siri sighed. Paige rolled her eyes. Ken looked away politely. Aiko covered her mouth as she smiled. Geneva just stared.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you two have sex?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAw, come on, Geneva\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnswer the question.\u201d<\/p>\n Daly hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was more like\u2026uh, well, we didn\u2019t get to sex<\/em>, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKissing? Penetration of any kind?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFuck me. <\/em>Why\u2019s it so important?\u201d<\/p>\n Daly stood up, flushing red with a bit of anger. Geneva sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause\u2014the next time you\u2019re in that situation, you need to ask Eldima or Quexa or anyone<\/em> you meet if they have any symptoms of infection around their genitals. And to be safe, you need to use this.\u201d<\/p>\n She pulled something out of her pocket. Aiko recognized it at once. Paige had been helping Geneva make them based on the blueprints the [Doctor] had worked up last night. She must have been fast, because the completed product was already in Geneva\u2019s hands. The first prototype of many.<\/p>\n The group of Earthworlders stared at the object curiously. Geneva shook it out, and Daly\u2019s eyes widened. He took only a second to identify the crude linen condom and groaned.<\/p>\n \u201cOh come on.<\/em> STD\u2019s? You\u2019ve got to be fucking kidding me.\u201d<\/p>\n Siri blinked down at the object Geneva placed on the table. Ken eyed it, looking very surprised. He stared at Geneva.<\/p>\n \u201cCondoms. And you want us to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWear them. Use them. And ask your partners if they show signs of infectious diseases. I\u2019ll be giving the company a full lecture on what to ask for and symptoms later today. I should have done it last night before we had a party. If I hadn\u2019t fallen asleep\u2014I\u2019m giving everyone a second checkup. This time, pants and underwear off<\/em>. No objections.\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva grimaced. The others looked at each other. Siri frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cIs this serious, Geneva? Pregnancy isn\u2019t a problem in this world. There\u2019s a potion for that, you know. As for diseases\u2014I haven\u2019t heard of any. You said so yourself that plagues were rare.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I thought. Until I saw two of Quallet\u2019s soldiers who had just contracted something called Yellow Rivers in a brothel. They were seriously ill. They\u2019d used healing potions, and the infection had rapidly progressed. I have pictures. Do you want to see?\u201d<\/p>\n The table blanched. Aiko felt her breakfast try to come up. Ken took one look at her face and hastily replied.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, we believe you. So there are<\/em> infectious diseases, Geneva?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. And if there\u2019s one, there are more.\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva tapped the condom grimly.<\/p>\n \u201cI know there are potions to prevent pregnancy. And it\u2019s not enough. A potion might prevent pregnancy, but only a condom will prevent STD\u2019s\u2014even then, it\u2019s risky. So use one. Especially<\/em> if you\u2019re having sex with someone from another species. Don\u2019t have sex unless you\u2019re sure they\u2019re fine, understand?\u201d<\/p>\n Daly grumbled as he sat back down and leaned back in his chair, covering his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, there was one<\/em> good thing about coming to this world\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMagic?\u201d<\/p>\n Siri smiled as Daly glanced up at her in ire. Then the Swedish girl looked at Geneva.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean, could the infections also be magical?\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva paused.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a distinct possibility. My two patients I\u2019m treating by cleaning out their infections, bandaging them, and giving them an antibiotic treatment based on the [Healers]\u2019 recipes. It will take me some time to see how effective the treatments I gave them are. But if it\u2019s partially magical\u2026I can\u2019t stop a magical disease. I don\u2019t know how. If there\u2019s a magical antibiotic or\u2026neutralizing agent, I need to use it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere are dispelling charms and magics. I suppose an [Alchemist] might be able to find you an herb or mixture you could use.\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cMore research to do. But these condoms should work. They\u2019re waterproof, and I\u2019ve soaked them in a mild mixture I think should kill off bacteria. It works on the cultures I\u2019ve been growing. Still, there\u2019s only one way to be sure, so everyone needs to know the risks.\u201d<\/p>\n Daly put his face in his hands.<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019re we supposed to explain this to Quallet and the others?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Ken looked miserable as he volunteered, but Geneva held up a hand.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s in the city, isn\u2019t he? Or rather, camped outside it? I\u2019ll go with you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe all will.\u201d<\/p>\n Paige sighed. Aiko stood up and followed the group into the apartments. She looked at the other Earthworlders. Daly\u2019s reaction was probably indicative of how the others would react. Sexually transmitted diseases felt like an Earth problem. But they were even worse here. She thought of the infected soldiers in Quallet\u2019s company and had to excuse herself to sit down for a minute.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Aiko found the others talking to Quallet in the inn he\u2019d rented. The [Mercenary Captain] was nodding as Geneva told him about STD\u2019s in general terms.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a serious problem, Quallet. Your soldiers need to be briefed on the risks, especially of visiting brothels. Ken or I can give them the lecture itself, but I have to insist they hear it.\u201d<\/p>\n Quallet was nodding before Geneva finished her sentence.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re damned right it\u2019s a problem. Anyone who comes down with that kind of sickness can\u2019t use healing potions. It just makes the\u2026rash worse. Very quickly. By all means, tell them. And I\u2019ll make sure Quexa and my other officers knock it into their heads. But what\u2019s this thing?\u201d<\/p>\n He waved a hand at the condom Geneva was holding. Daly covered his face as Geneva explained what it was.<\/p>\n Credit to Quallet, his face barely twitched as she described\u2014and showed him with a handy banana, the ubiquitous tool across all worlds\u2014how it should work. But then he looked at the condom a second time and nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cHow many can you give me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor my company. It would ease my mind\u2014and others, of course\u2014to have them. Even if they\u2019re not perfect. I\u2019ll buy\u2026damn. At least four hundred? They\u2019re cheap, right? Or can we\u2026reuse them?\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva looked at the others. She had to excuse herself to go into a huddle with the others.<\/p>\n \u201cWe could import these materials and make up a few thousand. It\u2019s not hard. It\u2019s just\u2014well, you know how they work, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Paige hesitated and pulled a huge face.<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019ll make them? Us?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Daly was mulling it over, hesitantly.<\/p>\n \u201cWe could get some of the people without jobs to do the work. It\u2019s really not that bad. The pricey bit\u2019s getting the materials and doing the condom properly. Linen, you see? But get a few [Stitchers]\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva nodded several times.<\/p>\n \u201cWe could outsource. Hire some Lizardfolk in the city to do the job. So long as there\u2019s quality control.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre we really getting into the condom business?\u201d<\/p>\n Paige looked mildly upset as she protested. Daly, who\u2019d finally gotten over his reservations, slapped her on the back. She punched him in the gut in return.<\/p>\n \u201cOw! Come on, Paige! We\u2019re miles ahead of Baleros in terms of, uh, STD-prevention! Who\u2019s got the best sex diseases? We do! Go Earth!\u201d<\/p>\n Ken just sighed. Geneva was working out a plan to manufacture condoms with Paige and Quallet. Aiko leaned back as Ken and Daly began talking seriously about\u2026boy things. She looked out the window of Quallet\u2019s inn towards a glittering, shining body of water. It shone green in the morning\u2019s light, and she could see people on the docks, ships in the harbor.<\/p>\n The ocean. For all that Baleros was jungles and forest around the city of Talenqual, it was a port city. And the sea was vast. Aiko looked out across it and thought of the one member of the company who hadn\u2019t returned. She looked back.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m spreading the word right now. No one\u2019s visiting a brothel until we have more of these things. Geneva, I\u2019d be grateful if you came with me.\u201d<\/p>\n Quallet hurried down the steps. Geneva followed him. In the silence, the others looked at each other.<\/p>\n \u201cHell, if it earns us money\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Daly shrugged, sighing. Paige nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s important. I\u2019ll work with Geneva on this. But while she\u2019s gone\u2014Aiko, close that door for a second.\u201d<\/p>\n Aiko did. Quallet\u2019s room was quiet for a second as everyone glanced at Paige. The [Engineer] lowered her voice.<\/p>\n \u201cKen, you brought back what I needed on your trip. Alchemist\u2019s materials. I haven\u2019t been able to get ahold of the right stuff until now, but you found exactly what I needed.\u201d<\/p>\n The young man from Japan smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was the right ingredient? The [Alchemist] had a difficult time telling which substance you wanted, Paige. I am glad it was correct.\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI can get more now that I know what to ask for. And it\u2019s more plentiful than I thought. Charcoal, saltpeter\u2026there are volcanoes too. So\u2026I can make gunpowder now, guys.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked around. The room went silent. Daly\u2019s head rose, and Siri\u2019s eyes flashed as she looked at Paige. The two adventurers glanced at each other.<\/p>\n \u201cGuns?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGeneva won\u2019t like it at all. And she had a point about spreading the tech, Paige.\u201d<\/p>\n Daly frowned, worried. Paige nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cGuns would be hard to make. And I\u2019d have<\/em> to have a [Blacksmith] help me, so it\u2019s risky. They\u2019d be able to see what I\u2019m doing even if all I need are the metal parts. And\u2026someone sees you using the guns, or just hears a rumor, and you\u2019ll have people trying to steal them. Take them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo what\u2019s your idea? You have one, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Siri met Paige\u2019s eyes. The Australian girl nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI do. I\u2019m skipping guns. I\u2019ll\u2026work on something. An emergency weapon like Daly\u2019s poisoned miniature crossbow. But my real focus will be grenades.\u201d<\/p>\n The others paused. Daly exhaled.<\/p>\n \u201cGrenades? You mean\u2026bombs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t need a metal shell. I could make a pot and fill it with shrapnel. It\u2019s not even that far from an [Alchemist]\u2019s creations. They have exploding flasks filled with oil and so on. But these will be non-magical.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll need a separate space. And be careful. If you set stuff off\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be careful. But I want your approval before I argue it out with Geneva.\u201d<\/p>\n Aiko bit her lip. Geneva wouldn\u2019t like this at all. But Paige was looking at her, so Aiko nodded hesitantly. She\u2019d seen monsters. If the Bushrangers were fighting them\u2026oh, would they sell this to Quallet?<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll take on the arguments. It\u2019ll be a company secret. And no one lets the grenades be touched by anyone else. We use them, and that\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n Daly\u2019s eyes were lit up. He was already thinking how to use them. Ken nodded slowly. Aiko felt her stomach twist again. So that was today. Condoms and children. Grenades and gunpowder.<\/p>\n The room fell silent after that. Aiko looked again out the window. Softly, wishing he were here to say something\u2014no, only that he were here, she spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cI wonder where Luan is?\u201d<\/p>\n The others looked at her. Aiko, staring out the window, saw Daly give Ken a look<\/em> and then lean over to whisper. Ken made a very unhappy face, but he nodded. It was Paige who finally spoke up.<\/p>\n \u201cSay, Aiko\u2026while we\u2019re on important topics, about you and Luan.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about Luan?\u201d<\/p>\n Aiko turned, confused. Paige hesitated. Ken took over for her.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is not that we do not understand, Aiko. But even if we are in another world, Luan was married. So it is not good to\u2014I know that you like him, but even so, this is\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He was glancing at the others. Daly sucked in his breath, and Paige was wincing. It took Aiko a moment to realize what Ken was suggesting. When she did understand, she was furious. She stomped over and punched Ken in the arm.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is not that. Never<\/em> that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? Aiko, stop, stop! But you\u2019re always asking about Luan, so we thought\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo! It is\u2014it\u2019s about\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n It had been a secret between Aiko and Luan. A hypothesis, as Luan had put it. But he\u2019d confirmed it, so she was sure he would take care of the matter before he came back. She might do the same. But she didn\u2019t want a tattoo. Nevertheless, Aiko told them, furiously. Ken\u2019s mouth opened. Siri\u2019s eyes went wide. Daly and Paige looked at each other.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. I had no idea.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs Luan sure?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe is married.<\/em> He has a wife and baby.\u201d<\/p>\n Aiko punched Ken in the shoulder again, hard. He stepped back and made a silent gesture of apology. She glared at him\u2014they\u2019d have words later. But Daly was turning pale.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019s right. I noticed it too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen was the last time you thought of them?\u201d<\/p>\n Paige looked at Siri. The Swedish girl shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNot even once. Not even\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Suddenly, there was a look of anguish in her eyes. Daly bit his lip. Ken, Aiko, Paige, they all paused as familiar faces came back. Aiko closed her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cYou see? We do not remember.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo what\u2019s Luan going to do about it?\u201d<\/p>\n Aiko turned to Daly. The Australian was shaking his head. She pointed at her arm.<\/p>\n \u201cMake sure he doesn\u2019t ever forget.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n And miles to the north and east, far from Talenqual, at least for him, a South African man paused and took a sip of water. From a canteen at his side. The slightly warm water was very sweet to him. Refreshing. And also, his last drink.<\/p>\n That wasn\u2019t too bad, but Luan Khumalo had underestimated the length of his journey by a few hours. He still wasn\u2019t too concerned because he\u2019d been regularly hydrating so he wasn\u2019t in desperate need of water, but he made a note to store more water and rations. Just in case.<\/p>\n Then again, there was a lot of water around him. But as the saying went, water was all around, but not a drop of it would Luan drink. The ocean\u2019s saltwater lapped at the side of his boat. And though Luan had reached the ocean from a river outlet, he hadn\u2019t refilled his canteen in that water either.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t a good idea. Even if Baleros\u2019 waters looked fresh, leeches and other water-borne creatures could easily be drunk if Luan had tried the water. If he was desperate, he could boil some water, but Geneva had still warned him to buy his supplies at the Runner\u2019s Guild instead.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I\u2019ll get some water before I head back. It\u2019s not a problem. Yeah.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan tossed the empty water flask into the bottom of his small boat with a sigh. Then he picked up the two mounted oars attached to his boat and dipped them into the water. He pulled back, a single, fluid stroke. His boat shot across the water.<\/p>\n Boat. Actually, it was more like a canoe, but thinner. Built for Lizardfolk\u2014it was as close as Luan could come to a proper single scull. Nevertheless, it was far bigger than anything he\u2019d use in a race. Nor was it designed in the same way a modern shell would be.<\/p>\n And yet, Luan\u2019s oars dipped into the water. He pulled, his legs straining against the wooden brace he\u2019d installed. The water resisted, and in accordance with physics, the boat moved.<\/em> The shell broke out of the surf, and Luan felt gravity fighting him. He pulled the oars back, dipped them into the water, pulled again.<\/p>\n Long power strokes. A steady, unfaltering pace. Luan breathed evenly, his body performing the action he\u2019d practiced a hundred thousand times with ease. And his boat moved across the water.<\/p>\n Sculling. That was what you called it if you understood what Luan was doing. Rowing was another acceptable word. Paddling or kayaking would probably tempt Luan to smack the asker with an oar. But he accepted that not many people understood the very real difference<\/em> between rowing and paddling. After all, some people would never so much as enter a boat in their lives. They\u2019d live landlocked, and that was fine, if a bit sad. But Luan had made sculling his life\u2019s work.<\/p>\n On Earth, he had been an Olympic hopeful. The person who would have represented his nation of South Africa in the single sculling event. It wasn\u2019t an exaggeration to say that Luan was one of the best in the world at what he did.<\/p>\n And that thing was getting from point A to point B as fast as possible. Two kilometers, to be exact. Not that anyone in this world used kilometers as measurements.<\/p>\n \u201cHow many miles can you go in a day, Luan? Twenty? Fifty? Stupid\u2026American\u2026system!\u201d<\/p>\n Luan growled to himself between oar strokes. Yes, two kilometers<\/em> was what the single scull event he\u2019d trained for was measured in. Two kilometers. The fastest team of rowers in the world could go two kilometers in under six minutes. That was blazingly quick. As for a single sculler, well, you\u2019d be slower, but only by a minute. Yes, you could go faster than some people could run. But the difficulty was completely different. On land, any decent athlete could run that fast, if only for a while. But in the water?<\/p>\n Luan\u2019s oars dipped into the water. He drew in, knees pressing inwards, and his arms stretched out. The paddles of the oars, which had been flat and drawing back, turned, twisting, and dipped into the water. Luan felt a moment where his weight pressed against the oar handles, and then he pulled<\/em>.<\/p>\n Or rather, he pushed the boat through the water. It was a smooth movement that made the water ripple with the force as all the energy in his legs and arms and the weight of his body went into the motion. Accordingly, the boat moved faster, and Luan felt the power of the thrust carry him across the ocean. He bent forwards for another drive. Which was what you called that motion. Aiko had described it as \u2018pulling the oars\u2019. Luan had given up trying to correct her.<\/p>\n The shell was moving fast<\/em>. And it would go faster if Luan could stop tearing at the water with each drive. It was throwing off his smooth rhythm and wasting the energy he was putting into the oars.<\/p>\n It made him feel like a beginner, actually. But Luan had grown\u2026stronger over the last few weeks. So markedly so that he was struggling to find a new style that would keep up with his more powerful movements. He kept lapsing into his old patterns and having to correct himself.<\/p>\n Because that was the thing. Luan was flying across the ocean. This close to the shore, the waves weren\u2019t that large, but Luan ignored them regardless. His single scull broke through the crest of a wave, soaking Luan from behind. He swore, but kept going, knowing he had more or less flat water to go through. And that his destination wasn\u2019t far away.<\/p>\n He\u2019d been rowing for a long time. For hours, in fact. And when he\u2019d started, it had been from a town up the river he\u2019d just left, twenty-eight miles away. And he had at least fifteen more to go.<\/p>\n \u201cHow many is that in kilometers? Seventy?\u201d<\/p>\n Something like that. A long ways to go even on land. But Luan wasn\u2019t that tired. And he was sure he\u2019d get to his destination\u2014a port city named Cinfal\u2014soon enough. And that was because Luan could see how fast he was moving by the passing shoreline.<\/p>\n Here was the thing. His boat wasn\u2019t nearly as streamlined as a modern craft. Luan hated it. It was made of wood and far, far wider than any boat designed for speed would be. And the riggers for his oars were a clumsy construction; he\u2019d had to get them specialty-fitted and made by a [Blacksmith]. Even his oars were heavier. They\u2019d given Luan blisters until he\u2019d made the handles easier to hold. He\u2019d also lost some of his calluses, but even so, they weren\u2019t as nice on the palms.<\/p>\n All of these things made him slower. Especially the design of his shell and the weight. And yet, still, Luan Khumalo knew he could enter any Olympic race and win it with this boat and oars.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I am a [Rower]. Not just a rower, but a [Rower]. <\/em>Isn\u2019t there a class for [Sculler] instead?\u201d<\/p>\n Even the leveling system didn\u2019t use proper terminology. Luan grunted. The sun shone down on his bare back. He swung the oars, feeling the smooth motion. Dipped them into the water. As Aiko put it, pulled<\/em>.<\/p>\n And the boat nearly left the water this time. The force<\/em> was like nothing Luan had ever felt, even when rowing in a coxless pair with his best friend. For a second, he stared at his arms. He had muscle of course, and he was an athlete. Even so, he shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cBloody unfair.\u201d<\/p>\n Yes, that was it. The more time Luan spent in this world, the more he was convinced that was what was happening. To him and the other people from Earth. They were part of a system that was just\u2026<\/p>\n Unfair. Frankly, ludicrously unfair.<\/em> Perhaps others would have called it magical, wonderful, but Luan was an athlete. He took no drugs. He practiced and exercised to achieve mastery over the one thing he was truly good at. He\u2019d devoted his life to becoming a master at rowing. But someone could paddle about for a few weeks and gain a Skill that made them so much faster in the water than they had any right to be.<\/p>\n Skills. Levels. They allowed someone to reach past their limits. To do what was impossible. Luan had known it. Hell, he\u2019d reveled in the fact, marveling at watching Daly use [Power Strike] or the way Geneva could make a bleeding patient just stop<\/em> with a touch. That was one thing. But this?<\/p>\n Pull.<\/em> The next drive made the wind rush past Luan\u2019s back. He gritted his teeth. His shell was shooting through the water, much, much faster than anyone from his world could ever hope to be, he was sure. He couldn\u2019t tell, but he thought he was going faster than most people could hope to run. Without Skills, that was.<\/p>\n [Boat: Spray Cutter]. [Power Strokes]. [Greater Endurance]. [Lesser Strength]. [Enhanced Durability \u2013 Oars]. [Boat: Lightweight Craft]. [Wave Sense].<\/p>\n Those were his Skills. Those, and a few more. Each one had made Luan\u2019s already high-speed that much more ludicrous. One Skill. One Skill could turn you into the best athlete in the world if you were close.<\/p>\n [Lesser Strength]. Oh, it sounded weak, but it had made Luan so much stronger it was insane. As if he could lift an extra\u2026what was it from pounds to kilograms, again? Ah yes, an extra 20 kilograms with each arm. Ridiculous. If you had that Skill on top of a body? The weight limits at the Olympics would have absolutely no meaning. As for [Greater Endurance]\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n Luan had healing potions and stamina potions on his belt. It was a thing Runners used. Magic to make them fresh and rested, able to run all day at their peak performance. He hadn\u2019t used a potion, and he\u2019d been going at a fast pace this entire time. He could do three races back to back and win each one. His boat was barely affected by the waves. He could\u2014and had\u2014blocked an axe with his oar and not even chipped it. As for the rest?<\/p>\n Ludicrous. Unfair. And\u2026so much fun. <\/em>Luan wanted to laugh and marvel at the speed at which he was going. Laugh and weep because he hadn\u2019t earned it. Not really. He\u2019d just leveled up. The system had given him levels and a class. He was an [Expert Rower]. Level 27 in only two months.<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps I earned it. I don\u2019t feel like it, though. Not at all. This is too easy. What if I were a [Warrior]? Level 27? What must they feel like if they\u2019re Level 30? 40? 50? Like gods. And that\u2019s too much power for any one man, woman\u2026Dullahan\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Dark thoughts for such a beautiful day. Baleros slowly passed by Luan on his right. Forests and jungles devolving to brilliant white sand or cliffs. And the ocean was another marvel. Untouched by trash, even a hint of it. Pure and brilliant, green fading to blue in the distance. A world without pollution. Luan wanted to turn and admire it. But he did have a job. So he kept rowing.<\/p>\n With his back turned, mind you. The biggest danger Luan\u2019s technique held was that he was rowing with his back to the front of the boat. In other words, he couldn\u2019t see what he was rowing towards.<\/em> Not a problem if you were on a lake, competing in a race. But on the ocean or going up a winding river?<\/p>\n If he had to go slow, Luan would scull with one of the smaller oars. But when travelling from port to port along the continent\u2019s shoreline, he used a different technique. Luan glanced at something propped in front of him as he drew forwards for another drive. A flash of light\u2014he avoided staring at the reflected sun. But the image in the angled glass showed him a shape pulling out in front of him to the right. Luan cursed and pulled, using more force on his right. His shell turned.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, mirrors. Thank you, Paige.\u201d<\/p>\n He\u2019d spotted the second canoe coming off a beach just in time. Luan\u2019s course took him right, and the figures on the canoe turned to follow. He heard a shout.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! You there! The Human on the boat! Hold on, we want to talk!\u201d<\/p>\n Lizardfolk<\/em>. Luan chanced a glance over his shoulder and saw them. They were turning, trying to catch him. Luan could change the course of his shell\u2014right now, he was headed around them, but that meant they had time to catch up. He could do that and make it a race, but instead\u2014<\/p>\n \u201c[Second Wind].\u201d<\/p>\n Luan spoke the Skill and felt his body grow even fresher. Now he felt like he was on a day\u2019s full rest. He swung forwards and drove<\/em> his oars into the water. The South African man heard an exclamation from the boat and then a shout.<\/p>\n \u201cOne, two, stroke<\/em>, stroke! <\/em>Come on, catch him! There are eight <\/em>of us\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The eight Lizardfolk on the canoe turned. They were all using single oars, rowing towards Luan, trying to intercept him. But it was a futile effort. They had coordination and maybe some Skills of their own, but their canoe was too heavy, their technique imperfect. Compared to Luan, they could have been sitting still in the water. He raced past them and heard a shout.<\/p>\n \u201cAw, damn it you guys\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Luan turned his head, wary of arrows. But the Lizardfolk had just given up. Some were laughing at their leader who was exasperatedly berating them. Another waved, and Luan grinned.<\/p>\n Good-natured Lizardfolk. Still, if they were [Pirates] or [Brigands], they\u2019d force Luan to hand over his cargo and all the money he had on him. The [Rower] wasn\u2019t about to take that chance. He kept going and spotted the canoe heading back down to the beach where it had been hidden.<\/p>\n \u201cMost definitely bandits of some kind. But at least they didn\u2019t shoot arrows at me.\u201d<\/p>\n After all, it was dangerous doing his job. Luan\u2019s boat was marked along the side with a bright white splotch of paint upon which was drawn a letter. Not an alphabetical letter, but an actual letter, envelope and all. It was a crude but effective way of letting people know he was a Runner\u2014or rather, water-based Runner\u2014delivering messages for the Runner\u2019s Guild. It usually worked, but sometimes it made him a target.<\/p>\n Still, Luan hadn\u2019t ever run into anything he couldn\u2019t outscull yet. And he\u2019d been working for two months. In fact, he was so good at his job making deliveries from port to port that people were already remembering his name. Calling him the \u2018Human who actually knows how to row\u2019. Not the flashiest of titles, but it was getting there.<\/p>\n A [Rower] from Earth. An athlete good at one thing, and one thing only, really. Luan\u2019s smile faded. This was all he could do. He was no warrior, he didn\u2019t like fighting, and he had no head for magic. He couldn\u2019t help Paige build a steam engine or figure out how batteries were made\u2014how were<\/em> they made? Acid? He could only row. And so he did. Straight into Cinfal\u2019s harbor and towards the docks. But Luan had to pause to let the navy pass him by.<\/p>\n \u201cWhoa.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Sixteen ships had been crowding Cinfal\u2019s harbor. It was a large city, but the armada of vessels were huge. The largest warship was so big that it hadn\u2019t even been able to get near the docks. It was a massive vessel with four masts that took an age to pass Luan by. No paddles for this great beast of a ship; it had opened all its sails, and wind was blowing hard into them, despite there being only a slight breeze to the day.<\/p>\n \u201cMagic. I suppose that\u2019s how you do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan shaded his eyes as the lead warship passed him by. The hull wasn\u2019t just plain wood; it had been painted yellow and black, giving it an eerie look, that of strikes of lightning against a black background. And on deck? Hundreds of [Sailors] and [Soldiers] moved about, armed with cutlasses, swords, some even wearing armor despite being at sea. A few waved to Luan as he passed. The others eyed him like an insect in his tiny craft.<\/p>\n And the warship even made waves. Luan cursed and swung his oars, dodging the first swells the ship left. The other fifteen ships followed it out of the harbor, all propelled unnaturally swiftly by the wind. Luan was sure he could take them any day in a race, even with a huge head start. But to see such massive vessels moving like that was still eerie.<\/p>\n When they were gone, Luan rowed into the harbor. He looked up, shouting, and switched to single-oar sculling to navigate past the smaller fishing ships and vessels still present. He waved, and a Dullahan directing traffic pointed and shouted in a voice even Luan could hear.<\/p>\n \u201cRight-most dock, Human! <\/em>Watch out! Trading cog\u2019s inbound!\u201d<\/p>\n Luan glanced up, saw the cog moving slowly towards him, and picked up his oars. The Dullahan blinked, and a few Lizardfolk unloading ships laughed and clapped their hands in delight as Luan zoomed past the cog to his place. By the time he\u2019d tied his boat up, the Dullahan was striding towards him.<\/p>\n Part of Luan, a small part, wanted to act like a certain pirate captain as he stepped onto the dock. But since he didn\u2019t want to sink his precious shell, he clambered out and waited for the Dullahan politely.<\/p>\n \u201cRunner, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n The female Dullahan propped her hand on her hips. Her head was being carried in a sling around her neck, much like a baby would be. Luan looked at that as he nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cOn a delivery.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPriority?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. I can pay now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, well then, how long will you be here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s call it a day. I can actually drag this thing onto the docks if you\u2019ve got a place to put it\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n It was far heavier than a modern boat, so Luan didn\u2019t really want to do that if necessary. The Dullahan [Harbormistress] shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo need. You saw that fleet heading out? They were our big customers. We\u2019ll have open docks for at least a day or so. The fee will be four silver for the night.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan grimaced. Four silver? That was a lot\u2014but he was renting a space. And\u2026he mentally tried to gauge how much it would be to pay for only a small time and hire people to haul the boat and rent more space.<\/p>\n \u201cFour silver it is. Here you are.\u201d<\/p>\n He carefully placed the silver coins into the Dullahan\u2019s waiting palm. She couldn\u2019t nod, but her body performed a kind of half-bow.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is accepted. Your name, Human?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLuan. Luan Khumalo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou will be recognized by anyone managing the docks if I am not there. Need you further proof or will name and sight alone suffice?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt will suffice. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n The Dullahan nodded, and then she was gone. Luan checked the knot securing his shell and then bent to grab his things. He could leave most of it in the vessel; a good harbor left no fear of [Thieves] stealing. But just to be safe, Luan took his most precious gear and his delivery, leaving only the empty water flask and some travel rations in the boat. And then he entered Cinfal.<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me. Coming through. Runner on a delivery.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan\u2019s first few steps out of the wet harbor and port area was into a market where fresh fish and, predictably, hawkers were waiting. They were hoping to prey on any fresh arrivals with shiny goods or the latest gossip. Directions to a brothel? Sharpen your sword? Like the seasoned [Sailors] and [Travellers], Luan pushed through them with an eye on his belt for stray hands. His cry also alleviated the press of bodies somewhat\u2014a Runner had no time to buy knick knacks.<\/p>\n \u201cWhich way to the Runner\u2019s Guild? Anyone?\u201d<\/p>\n A dozen hands pointed. Luan hurried down the street, a touch unsteadily since his legs had grown used to the rowing. He made it to the Runner\u2019s Guild quickly though; like any good guild in a port city, it was located near enough to the docks. There was a Lizardgirl receptionist at the desk. She looked up and grinned toothily as Luan came in.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! You\u2019re that Human I heard so much about! Skin as dark as night and fast as a bird on the water? Luan?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s me.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan dumped his package on the table. It was mail\u2014and four individual deliveries, all held together in a thick bag. And heavy<\/em>. The town he\u2019d come from had paid him on top of the four individual delivery payments to get to Cinfal fast\u2014the City Runners who went on foot didn\u2019t want to make the difficult journey all the way here as the foot-route was twice as difficult and long as if you went by ocean.<\/p>\n \u201cWow! I got a message from Paxil that you were coming with a bunch of mail. Let\u2019s see\u2026four individual deliveries?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you! We\u2019ll get Street Runners on it right away. May I see your Runner\u2019s seal? Just a formality. Thank you again! And did you encounter anything of note on your way here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI saw eight Lizardfolk on a canoe. They pushed off a beach and tried to catch me. I wasn\u2019t sure if they were [Bandits], but I didn\u2019t stick around to find out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOoh. Got it.\u201d<\/p>\n The Lizardgirl noted the information down for any Runners in the area, or law enforcement. Then she smiled at Luan.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright! We\u2019re all set! Your payment for the packages as well as your current unclaimed coin comes to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She rummaged for Luan\u2019s file, which was meticulously updated by [Message] spell between the Runner\u2019s Guilds, especially if Luan was in the area. The Lizardgirl blinked, and Luan saw her neck frills open for a second in shock.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot, I know.\u201d<\/p>\n He smiled wearily at her. Luan hadn\u2019t been back to Talenqual in a while. He\u2019d gone from city to town to village, doing deliveries nonstop. As such, he had a fairly good idea of what had made her eyes pop.<\/p>\n The Lizardgirl stared at the number again and then coughed. She lowered her volume a tiny bit.<\/p>\n \u201cFifty-four gold coins from all your deliveries. You want it all now? Because I\u2019ll have to open the strongbox to get it all if you do.\u201d<\/p>\n Fifty-four coins. Luan\u2019s smile sprang to his lips unbidden. Now that<\/em> was the fruit of hard work. And from the look a Centaur [Runner] standing at a counter next to him was giving him, it was good even by City Runner standards.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Just\u2026four gold coin\u2019s worth. I\u2019ll pull the rest out when I get home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou got it! Wow. That\u2019s a lot of money. You sure you\u2019re just a City Runner? I heard you can make it from Talenqual to Ravelm in less than two days!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m hoping to make it to Courier eventually. But a City Runner I am. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan accepted the four gold coins from the Lizardgirl and signed the receipt she handed him. She sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cWow. And you use that tiny boat! Who taught you how to row that well? Lizardfolk? It wasn\u2019t Centaurs, that\u2019s for sure. Right, Minerioune?\u201d<\/p>\n She laughed and indicated the Centaur. Minerioune the Centaur didn\u2019t laugh back with her.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s just say I was pretty good at it back home. One of the best, in fact.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan smiled. The Lizardgirl nodded and didn\u2019t ask for more details. She waved the next Runner in line forwards as Luan strode towards the door.<\/p>\n There went Luan Khumalo. A few of the Runners in the guild knew him, and he thought he recognized a few faces, but it was them knowing him, not the other way around. Because, and Luan was<\/em> proud of this, Skills or no, he was developing a reputation as an excellent City Runner. Only two months and he\u2019d already made a name for himself.<\/p>\n Luan specialized in lightning-quick deliveries from spot to spot. After all, it wasn\u2019t as if he\u2019d trained to do long-distance rowing. Even with [Greater Endurance] and all his Skills boosting his speed, there was a very hard limit on how far Luan could go. But fast? He could do fast.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd it\u2019ll be faster still if I can hold onto some of that gold I\u2019ve earned.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan muttered to himself as he pushed out the Runner\u2019s Guild door. Now that he was on land and not in an athlete\u2019s mindless trance, he could think about his future. He\u2019d been mulling over the idea in his head. He was faster than the world record holders in his world already. But he could be even quicker in the water if he had the money to spend.<\/p>\n \u201cGet a boat made of the lightest-weight wood. Sliding seat\u2014and make it actually aerodynamic.\u201d<\/p>\n That meant a proper single scull, long and narrow, not wide, like the one Luan was using. But to have that, he\u2019d need a bag of holding, a good one, to hold his deliveries and other gear.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd paddles. Lightweight. Made of that good wood the Lizardfolk use. Expensive. And enchanted.\u201d<\/p>\n Yes, enchanted. Paddles enchanted with the [Weight] spell were what he wanted, according to an [Oarsman] he\u2019d spoken with in a tavern. They\u2019d add as much as fifty pounds<\/em> to each stroke. And a spell could make the boat and oars practically featherweight. Add that to something to put the wind on his side\u2014<\/p>\n Luan wondered if he could actually achieve liftoff with that kind of setup. He sighed happily, then frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cBut that\u2019s hundreds, thousands of gold coins. And from what Paige said, this might be going towards a new apartment for the kids to live in.\u201d<\/p>\n His good spirits sank a bit. But Luan refused to let them sink further. He shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cChildren. They come first.\u201d<\/p>\n Perhaps that was a harsh generalization, but Luan did truly feel like one of a few adults sometimes. Some of the Earthworlders brought over to this one were only fourteen or fifteen. Luan and Geneva were older than they were by a decade. They had to take care of them. And the fifty-four gold coins Luan had labored for was a big step in that direction.<\/p>\n \u201cTime to head back to Talenqual. After a good night\u2019s rest. Big dinner. Yeah.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan licked his lips. He was exhausted from nearly a week of non-stop work. Part of him thought it would be best to get back to Talenqual tonight, but he was too tired to contemplate rowing for that long. If he could, he\u2019d have arranged it so Paige could withdraw his earnings at the Runner\u2019s Guild. But they were very careful to make sure a Runner\u2019s hard-earned money wasn\u2019t extorted or stolen from them.<\/p>\n Luan was about to head to the nearest inn and ask about a lovely bed and some food when a thought sprang out to him. Something in the back of his mind.<\/p>\n Children. No, child. Remember.<\/em><\/p>\n And then Luan did. The spring in his step faded. His smile vanished.<\/p>\n A sour-faced Dullahan passing by the Human on the street saw Luan\u2019s smile turn into a dour look to rival his own. He stared as Luan\u2019s pace slowed.<\/p>\n Child. His child. Remember it. Aiko\u2019s words bounced around in Luan\u2019s head along with his inescapable conclusion.<\/p>\n He\u2019d forgotten again. Forgot\u2026that he had a child. That he was married.<\/p>\n That they were left behind.<\/p>\n In the bustling streets of Cinfal, right outside the Runner\u2019s Guild, Luan stopped and stared at the sky. Remember them. Remember their faces. Worst yet, you must remember to remember. Because if you don\u2019t\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n You\u2019ll forget. Forget as easily as a lost pair of keys or a missing sock. As if they didn\u2019t matter. As if they never existed. It was the same for Aiko. For everyone, Luan suspected. But he hadn\u2019t brought his conclusion to the attention of the others yet. It was too strange an anomaly to fully understand.<\/p>\n And yet\u2014he was certain it was true. Because Luan kept forgetting his baby\u2019s face. And that\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan\u2019s fingers dug into his palm. He had to remember. A wild craze swept through him. For a second, he wanted to hurl the gold coins in his palm into the face of the Dullahan staring at him. Grab his oars, grab the knife Daly had given him and stab and cut everything around him. Gone. Gone from home and his family!<\/em><\/p>\n But that was not the way. Luan relaxed slightly. It was no one\u2019s fault here. No one around him at least. Possibly no one at all was responsible for this. It might just be an accident. If it was<\/em> the doing of someone, Luan would have vengeance. But if not?<\/p>\n Remember.<\/em><\/p>\n Luan walked slowly down the street. He thought of Aiko and what she\u2019d suggested to him.<\/p>\n Yes. No time to go back and tell the others. Luan had to do it today. How long had it been since he\u2019d forgotten this time? Six days? And he\u2019d talked with Aiko, tried to force<\/em> himself to remember. But the instant he\u2019d stopped repeating the names in his head, capturing the face\u2014it was gone. So, Luan decided to do what he should have done from the start. He turned to the nearest Lizardperson on the street and began to ask directions.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHello?\u201d<\/p>\n The Lizardwoman in the small tattoo parlor looked up. She was a Lizardperson. She had scales. Admittedly, there were colorful designs painted on top<\/em> of the scales, but as [Tattooists] went, Luan was fairly certain that this didn\u2019t recommend her.<\/p>\n He stopped uncertainly in the entrance to the shop. The Lizardwoman\u2019s eyes brightened as she saw what might be her first client in a while wavering. She scrambled out from behind her desk.<\/p>\n \u201cCome in! Welcome, welcome! This is the Inked Scale, the best\u2014and only\u2014tattoo place in Cinfal! You want a tattoo? Have a seat! I\u2019ll get some designs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, no thanks. I just came by to\u2026I\u2019ve got a design.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOoh, really?\u201d<\/p>\n The Lizardwoman stopped fumbling for some sketches. She came over to Luan as he walked over to a chair. The shop was very small and quite empty. He saw vials on racks, needles\u2014and brushes.<\/p>\n \u201cYou do tattoos here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, sure! Tattoos for the fleshy folk, scale art for anyone who sheds. We even have stuff that keeps away fur if you\u2019ve got body hair. Anything you need I can do! Don\u2019t worry, I get [Sailors] from all over the world in here! Drowned People are the worst, between you and me.\u201d<\/p>\n She winked at Luan. Reassured, the man smiled at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m looking for something simple. Ink tattoo. Two words on my right arm. Right here.\u201d<\/p>\n He placed his fingers on his arm, just below the wrist. The Lizardwoman nodded energetically. She already had a very long, very sharp<\/em> stick of\u2014Luan gave it a second look.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is that?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, this? Never seen a tattooing needle before? Don\u2019t worry, I only use the tip.\u201d<\/p>\n The Lizardwoman smiled at Luan. She showed him a long, bamboo stick that had been carved with some extremely sharp points dark with ink. Half of it was lacquered, but the tips\u2014Luan blanched a bit.<\/p>\n He\u2019d seen tattoos being done before, but now that he recalled it, it was always with a tattooing machine. An electronic,<\/em> handheld, mechanical <\/em>device. He hadn\u2019t made the obvious connection that no person in this world would have that kind of technology. The Lizardwoman saw he was having second thoughts and tried to reassure him.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry, don\u2019t worry! The ink goes here, see, and the little needles go into your skin and let the ink stain it. It doesn\u2019t hurt\u2014er, much. Not unless the needles are really sharp, and believe me, they\u2019re wicked sharp! Wait, this isn\u2019t reassuring, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll\u2026you can give me a tattoo, right? No blood or open wounds?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNone at all. I\u2019m Level 21. That\u2019s good by our standards. And I\u2019ve got healing potions in case you start bleeding, tons of experience\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The Lizardwoman reassured Luan. He bit his lip, but he\u2019d come this far.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. Can you put the names in black ink here? I\u2019ll write them out so you can see the right spelling.\u201d<\/p>\n He wrote carefully on a piece of parchment the Lizardwoman handed to him. She looked at it once, nodded, and then eyed Luan.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s easy. I can have you done quick. But\u2026ink, you said?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. Is that a problem?\u201d<\/p>\n Luan grimaced at his arms. He\u2019d barely see the tattoo. But what other choice was there? Aiko had suggested them as a permanent reminder. The Lizardwoman clearly saw his problem and swished her tail back and forth, but not for the reason Luan was expecting.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just\u2014I don\u2019t think black<\/em> ink\u2019s gonna show up well on your skin. You sure you don\u2019t want other colors? \u2018Cause we\u2019ve got lots.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOther colors?\u201d<\/p>\n Luan looked up with a frown. Wouldn\u2019t they be just as hard to see? But the Lizardwoman was nodding energetically.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah! What, you thought I\u2019d use natural inks on that skin? No thanks, pal! We\u2019ll use a magical dye\u2014it\u2019s cooler anyways. I can make it glow in the dark, too. What color do you want? White? Red? Pink? Ooh, and look at this. This ink changes color depending on how warm it is. And this<\/em> ink\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She showed Luan a rapidly changing ink that flashed from color to color. He blinked at it.<\/p>\n \u201cUh, no. I\u2019ll take\u2014gold? Do you have\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The Lizardwoman was already pulling out a golden vial. Literally golden in color. Luan stared at it as the liquid ink rolled back and forth. She eyed him, smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cGlow in the dark? Other effects?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n They\u2019d make him too visible at night. Luan nodded as she offered him two more variants on the idea of gold and yellow. Then he frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cHow expensive is this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor you and that tattoo? A gold coin. Yeah, I know it\u2019s a bit pricey, but this ink isn\u2019t cheap! Still, you don\u2019t want much\u2014[Sailors] now, they pay for the big stuff. You sure you don\u2019t want your ink to do anything cool? I can make your tattoo change shapes too!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Just the names.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re the customer! You have half an hour to do this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYep. Here\u2019s your payment.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan handed the Lizardwoman a gold coin. She smiled and tucked it into her purse. Then she grabbed the vial and her bamboo needle.<\/p>\n \u201cHere\u2019s the rules: you sit there, I do my work. Don\u2019t move your arm or I\u2019ll have to put it in a clamp. Tell me if it hurts real bad and we can stop. But if you do, I get to tease you, got it? If you start bleeding, I\u2019ll use a potion, but I don\u2019t like to do that while tattooing. They mess up the ink sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGot it.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan laid back and put his arm out as the Lizardwoman instructed him. He\u2019d never wanted a tattoo and was afraid of that stick. But the first time she jabbed it into his skin, he only flinched a bit. And then the poking pain was a constant, so he quickly relaxed.<\/p>\n To his surprise, the Lizardwoman wasn\u2019t at all chatty while doing her work. She was intent, her eyes focused on the delicate lettering she was writing onto Luan\u2019s skin. And there was also a second reason.<\/p>\n Not five minutes into the tattooing, someone else entered the parlor. The [Tattooist] glanced up, but said not a word. Luan, whose eyes were closed, didn\u2019t look up until he heard some heavy clicks<\/em> on the floor. Then he looked up and saw a Minotaur standing over him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re the City Runner who goes by the name of Luan?\u201d<\/p>\n The Minotaur stared down at Luan. The South African man tensed for a second. He couldn\u2019t help it. The Minotaur was something right out of legends. Bull\u2019s head, complete with horns. A humanoid body, heavily muscled but concealed by light Balerosian clothing. And like Centaurs, hooves instead of feet.<\/p>\n Minotaur.<\/em> But Luan\u2019s paralysis only lasted as long as it took him to realize the Minotaur was speaking English and behaving\u2026like a normal person. Luan realized. Here was another species of this world. The Lizardwoman didn\u2019t even seem bothered by his presence.<\/p>\n Then Luan realized he\u2019d been addressed by name. He frowned up at the Minotaur.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s me. Do I know you?\u201d<\/p>\n He was sure the answer was no. For a reply, the Minotaur pulled up another chair and sat down on Luan\u2019s other side, quite unbidden.<\/p>\n \u201cMy name is Venaz. I have an offer to make you, Luan the Runner.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan glanced at the Minotaur and then at the [Tattooist] who was ignoring both of them. He frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a bit busy, friend.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhich is why I came here. You can\u2019t run away. Hear me out first. I\u2019ve noted your career. You\u2019re Luan. Human affiliated with a new company. United Nations or something. Served in Gravetender\u2019s Fist, a suppression company as a mercenary before becoming a Runner. You\u2019ve served for two months, but you have a number of notable deliveries.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me, I\u2019m busy<\/em>. If you want to talk, you can find me at the Runner\u2019s Guild\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Luan spoke up angrily, but Venaz only raised his voice, talking over Luan. He had an imperious nature, and Luan gave up trying to interrupt him after five tries.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014not only considered near Courier-level on that boat in the water, but you\u2019ve done what Runners consider dangerous deliveries. Noticeably, a mission to escort a young Dullahan being pursued by a suitor to her home city, delivering through crocodile-infested waters\u2026does that count? Stupid report. But you did a trip to pick up a Dullahan in the starving city of Pxier before it was wiped clean\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Luan stared at the Minotaur. Unbidden, the memory surged around him. Dragged him in.<\/p>\n Lizardfolk were friendly, cooperative, and social. They were the most pleasant of folk to be around\u2014until you saw them at their most desperate. Then they were animals, like anyone else.<\/em><\/p>\n The frantic Dullahan [Merchant] at the docks. Yanking him on board and then seeing hundreds of slim bodies pouring into the harbor, leaping off the docks as Luan swung the oars and pulled through the water desperately. The Lizardfolk were screaming. They clawed at the boat as the Dullahan kicked their claws off. Luan was struggling, forcing the boat further from the harbor. Only as he fought his craft clear of them did he hear the starving Lizardfolk\u2019s voices.<\/em><\/p>\n Take me with you.<\/em><\/p>\n Help.<\/em><\/p>\n Save my child.<\/em><\/p>\n Bring us.<\/em><\/p>\n Let us\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n Luan jerked. The [Tattooist] must have sensed it, because she stopped just in time. She stared at Luan as Venaz paused. The Human caught his breath. The Lizardwoman grabbed his arm firmly.<\/p>\n \u201cHold still, please.\u201d<\/p>\n After a second, Luan did. The pain returned. Venaz kept reading as if nothing had happened. But Luan was still remembering Pxier.<\/p>\n Starving people. The town had been raided of food and coin, and they had nothing to pay with. So rather than request food, the [Merchant] had bought his own life. Luan hadn\u2019t known. The town was a blip on the map. Luan still remembered them trying to swim after him.<\/p>\n He should have stopped. But they\u2019d eaten all the other non-Lizardfolk in the town already. The Dullahan had survived with an invisibility potion. Luan could remember the Dullahan shaking, talking about it.<\/p>\n Still, he should have slowed. Should have reached for one of the children being held out to him. Should have\u2026<\/p>\n The next day, Luan had gone back with as much food as his little vessel could carry. But by that point, cannibalism had turned the townspeople against each other, not just outsiders. Luan had seen the nightmare, dropped the food on what remained of the docks, and fled.<\/p>\n Memory<\/em>. Luan blinked, and Venaz was still talking. Listing off more of Luan\u2019s accomplishments. How did he know so much? Luan shook his head, which earned him a tut<\/em> of disapproval from the Lizardwoman.<\/p>\n He needed to go back to the two apartments. Hopefully, Geneva would be back. Or Paige. Luan could use time on the impromptu \u2018therapy couch\u2019 with one of them listening. The [Rower] glared at Venaz.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you have a point here?\u201d<\/p>\n The Minotaur harrumphed and stopped talking for a moment, which was a relief. The problem was when he started again.<\/p>\n \u201cMy point is that I know your capabilities. You\u2019re fast on the water, nearly as fast as a Courier. But you\u2019re not, which suits my needs. I have a job for you. It\u2019s in three weeks. Interested?\u201d<\/p>\n Luan stared at him. He looked around the parlor and then glowered at Venaz.<\/p>\n \u201cYou could have put in a request! Asked for me by name. I\u2019d be happy to meet you whenever. This is rude<\/em>. You are aware?\u201d<\/p>\n His words and look bounced off Venaz\u2019s face. The Minotaur sat back.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m aware of Runner\u2019s Guild protocol, thank you. But I wanted to meet you privately. Putting out a request is blatant. No one\u2019s to know of this conversation taking place.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Really?\u201d<\/p>\n Luan rolled his eyes at the Lizardwoman sitting right next to them. Venaz smirked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo one I\u2019ve not accounted for. Why else do you think this place is empty?\u201d<\/p>\n His words made Luan pause and look around the parlor. He\u2019d assumed the Inked Scale was just unfrequented, but then, he\u2019d seen the tattoos the [Sailors] sported on the docks. Venaz nodded to the door.<\/p>\n \u201cThe sign says closed now. And until this moment, I was using an artifact. No one noticed me coming in. The [Tattooist] will give me something that fades in a few days\u2014I am no [Warrior], but a [Strategist]. As for you, you\u2019ll go out the back after we\u2019re done here. Our meeting was chance, and so this incident will not be reported by those watching me\u2014if I haven\u2019t given them the slip already. I\u2019ll be doing enough suspicious things later that anyone will write this moment off. Well, the Professor might not, but he\u2019s not the one I need to fool, is he?\u201d<\/p>\n He smiled smugly, proud of himself. Luan digested this little monologue. Professor? Spies? This Venaz thought highly of himself. Then again, if he had a magical artifact, he had money to wave about.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs I said, Couriers attract too much attention. So I scouted you out. You\u2019re the City Runner who most easily fits my qualifications. Waiting for you was a simple task.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou knew I\u2019d be here?\u201d<\/p>\n That threw Luan. But Venaz\u2019s smug smile said it all.<\/p>\n \u201cYou inquired about tattoos in the last two Runner\u2019s Guilds you visited, which indicated it was on your mind. This was the first city where you claimed any of your earnings, which gave me the clue. If you hadn\u2019t stopped here, I would have found you in the inn this night.\u201d<\/p>\n For some reason, Venaz felt like he was Luan\u2019s age. Maybe even younger. Despite being taller than Luan and a lot bigger. Or maybe Luan just felt old these days. He frowned, deeply unhappy.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople told you everything I was doing?\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone sells everything. For a price. This is Baleros. What did you expect? Now, about my offer\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDone!\u201d<\/p>\n Both Venaz and Luan blinked and looked at the Lizardwoman. She blew on Luan\u2019s skin and then tapped the slightly sore flesh.<\/p>\n \u201cLook at that! Good, clean work! Not even a bit of blood! Like it?\u201d<\/p>\n Luan stared down at his arm. There, written in gold, entirely without him knowing, were two names. Gold ink glittered at him, spelling out two words he would never, could never forget again.<\/p>\n His eyes stung. Luan looked down and thought of the two faces. His family. Smiling. Holding his son. Now the image was clearer in his head. And now, he was certain, he wouldn\u2019t forget. All he had to do was look down.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Aiko.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan felt the beginnings of tears. But then Venaz\u2019s voice sounded right next to his ears, ruining the moment.<\/p>\n \u201cYou told me you could stretch out the tattoo for as long as I needed.\u201d<\/p>\n He was scowling at the Lizardwoman. The [Tattooist] spread her claws innocently.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t a big job! And I\u2019m an artist! What, you want me to poke him for another ten minutes? Because that\u2019s rude and it hurts! You can do your tattoo now if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan stood up suddenly. He glared at Venaz.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going back to find an inn. I paid you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at the Lizardwoman, who looked mildly embarrassed and nodded. Luan turned to Venaz.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014so you can find me or put in a formal request.\u201d<\/p>\n He spun to go, but Venaz caught him. Luan went two steps, but the Minotaur didn\u2019t budge. Luan spun back to him, angry now. Venaz\u2019s face was impassive.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd as I said, that\u2019s not an option. Hear me out. It benefits you and I.\u201d<\/p>\n He paused for a second and eyed the tattoo shining on Luan\u2019s wrist.<\/p>\n \u201cHm. I didn\u2019t ask. What\u2019s the tattoo about? Odd writing, that.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan wanted to cover the tattoo. He glared up at Venaz.<\/p>\n \u201cThe names of my son and my wife. So I don\u2019t forget.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid you think you would? Shameful.\u201d<\/p>\n The casual comment made something snap in Luan. He raised a fist and punched<\/em> Venaz in the solar plexus as hard as he could.<\/p>\n Nothing happened. Except to Luan\u2019s fist, that was. Luan felt like he\u2019d punched a mildly rubbery rock. More rock than rubber, really. He stepped back, suddenly wary. Venaz had let him go, but he hadn\u2019t so much as budged. He eyed Luan, and then the Minotaur grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cMy name is Venaz, City Runner Luan Khumalo. I\u2019ve told you it twice now. Remember it, for it will one day be famous. So, do we have a deal?\u201d<\/p>\n Luan stared at Venaz, rubbing his knuckles. Then he had to laugh. The Lizardwoman stepped back, sweeping her fragile vials of ink out of the way as he and Venaz sized each other up a second time.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, what\u2019s the mission? How dangerous is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot at all. But I require your word before I tell you more than the rough details.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTell me the basics, then. I won\u2019t commit to anything too dangerous. Or illegal.\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz nodded. He spoke briskly now, eyeing the designs the [Tattooist] hopefully shoved in front of his face and waving them away.<\/p>\n \u201cTwenty gold pieces to deliver a small object to my person alone in a port city north of here. The danger to you will be minimal, although you will have to be swift and precise. There may be pursuers, but if you are caught\u2014which you will not be because you are a significant portion of my plan\u2014you will likely only be held for a few hours. At most, roughed up.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan didn\u2019t know if he liked that. But\u2014twenty gold pieces? He heard the Lizardwoman gulp and agreed. That was a good job. Especially if the danger wasn\u2019t that great. Still\u2014Luan eyed Venaz and folded his arms.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Forty.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cForty? For a small delivery? You overestimate your worth.\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz\u2019s eyebrows shot up. Luan shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cForty gold pieces. You researched me, and you admitted that I am an important part of your plans. You need a fast City Runner on the water who is not a Courier. I\u2019m your best option, and you know it.\u201d<\/p>\n The Minotaur glowered. He muttered to himself. Luan thought he caught \u2018must be what the Professor\u2019s always telling me about\u2019 before he looked up abruptly and nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cFine. Forty.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan thought for a second and then shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s sixty gold pieces now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe price went up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn two seconds?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just remembered that you insulted me and bothered me when I asked to be left alone. So, sixty gold pieces, friend. <\/em>Can you pay that much?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Sixty, damn it, but not a copper piece higher.\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz growled in disgust and gave Luan something almost approaching a look of admiration. He sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll pay you ten pieces up front, fifty on delivery. Do we have a deal?\u201d<\/p>\n He held out a hand. Luan hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cOne last thing. Promise me no one will be hurt by what you\u2019re doing? No one dies? I\u2019m not bringing something illegal or that harms someone else?\u201d<\/p>\n If the Minotaur couldn\u2019t make that promise, Luan would do it anyways. But Venaz just grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cNo one dies. As for harm\u2014they\u2019ll be bruised, maybe a few broken bones at most. But this is no war. Runners have their codes about interfering in battle, after all.\u201d<\/p>\n That was enough. More than enough for sixty gold pieces. Luan had risked his neck for less. He held out his hand gingerly. Venaz gave Luan a crushing handshake and then nodded to the side. The [Tattooist] stretched her arms, sitting by the closed door as Venaz and Luan spoke in low voices. Luan listened, no longer annoyed, but a Runner listening to a well-paying client.<\/p>\n Outside, the city of Cinfal hustled and bustled and presumably got on with their lives. Inside the parlor, though, the Lizardwoman [Tattooist] debated over what inking she\u2019d give the Minotaur, trying not to listen as he spoke to Luan. Venaz\u2019s voice was quiet, his eyes alight as he showed Luan a map, then another map, and then explained why three weeks was so important and where Luan fit in.<\/p>\n \u201cThat you don\u2019t know my name means you don\u2019t get what\u2019s happening. Well, in three weeks, an annual event occurs. Wait\u2014no, biennial. No\u2014hold on, the Professor sometimes doesn\u2019t hold it at all. But it is a significant event, and I will be participating in it, as will my class. And many of those in the former classes, which is why I intend to win.<\/em> You see, once every\u2026few years, the Professor, whom you<\/em> know as the Titan of Baleros, has a little game\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Luan jerked at the name. Venaz grinned, his eyes alight. And Luan realized he\u2019d quite forgotten to ask why Venaz needed someone with the skills of a Courier. Or exactly who would be chasing him. But it was too late to back out now. And on Luan\u2019s wrist were etched the two names. So long as he had that, he could do anything.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n So it was that in Cinfal, the best laid plans of men and Minotaurs were begun. But in a city much further inland, a creature far smaller than a man or Minotaur was hard at work. He was, in fact, about the same size as a mouse. But Niers Astoragon was considerably more dangerous than a mouse, and after a certain encounter with some rats, he\u2019d begun hunting the damn things at night. After all, the greatest [Strategist] in all of Baleros had to find enjoyment somewhere, didn\u2019t he?<\/p>\n He wasn\u2019t quite enjoying himself now. Not that he was miserable, but Niers was more in a state of mind that could be described as busy concentration rather than actual fun. Luan would have understood; there was a joy to doing something you could do, but other times it was just the work of it that kept you going. Work, and pride in your work.<\/p>\n Not that Niers was rowing a boat. Rather, he was poring over a piece of paper, walking down and reading the neatly-written words row by row. It was slightly tedious, and Niers debated hopping back onto his reading seat so he could read them from above. But he liked to move, and sitting meant he\u2019d have to ask someone else to bring the next paper over, which was a waste of time.<\/p>\n \u201cHah!\u201d<\/p>\n That was all the Fraerling said as he reached the end of the report. He stamped on the carefully written signature and the wax seal below it and then kicked the piece of paper off the desk. A hand caught it as the paper dropped to the ground. Peclir Im, the [Chamberlain] of the Forgotten Wing company and the man responsible for keeping a good portion of the citadel that was Niers\u2019 academy and home running, picked up the paper and put it in another pile as Niers strode past him for another report.<\/p>\n \u201cThat idiot Balegilt wants two more [Mages]? Write a reply and tell him he can have his [Mages] when he learns not to let [Snipers] pick them off! He\u2019ll go without, and he can take his entire company to hell if he objects!\u201d<\/p>\n Peclir Im nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYou wish me to write that verbatim, sir? Or in spirit?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers paused.<\/p>\n \u201cIn spirit, I suppose. Balegilt\u2019s Marsh Troll company is useful. But damn them if they\u2019re not careless. Give him a warning, Peclir. If he keeps losing our people, we will<\/em> sever our ties with him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI shall make a proper note.\u201d<\/p>\n Peclir did just that, jotting Niers\u2019 reply down on a piece of parchment he held. The Titan scowled.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s the next report?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHere, sir. And I repeat, if you wish, we could hire a Fraerling to copy all this down. It would save you the necessity of calling on myself\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t need a [Scribe] reading all this confidential information, Peclir. Regular reports are fine by me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs you wish. This is a detail by our 14th Division.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere did we put\u2014ah, right. Holding action. And they\u2019re facing\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Niers read the brief and much less eloquent message by one of his field commanders. He grimaced.<\/p>\n \u201cSkirmishes with Centaurs. Oh, how wonderful. It must be a local clan. Not a company; they\u2019re too scattered. We must have angered the entire area somehow. Send in our [Diplomats]. And make sure they\u2019re Centaurs too. The nuance will be lost on someone not of that species. In the meantime, the 14th is to avoid killing\u2014if possible. Next?\u201d<\/p>\n Peclir checked his notes.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are two battles taking place at\u2026Selx\u2019s Ravine and the Olkem Grasslands. I have the coordinates.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShow me. Nothing too large, I hope?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou would have been notified, sir. These are allied companies\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe still want to win, though. Let\u2019s see what their odds are. Ah. This would be that damned mine we\u2019ve been fighting over. If we take it, I\u2019m sending some high-level [Miners] to get what we can and then abandon the place. And the other\u2026? Oh.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers Astoragon looked down at the magical map as Peclir indicated the two battlegrounds. He grimaced, told Peclir to message one of the two commanders embroiled in the battles to retreat if things went south, and got back to work. Peclir hurried over to the door to issue a few instructions to a waiting attendant helper, who in turn hurried off to make the necessary [Message] spells. By the time he got back, Niers was kicking his way across the desk.<\/p>\n \u201cCasualty reports. Income reports. Where are my level reports?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHere, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Peclir handed Niers a list of every person of note who\u2019d leveled in Niers\u2019 company this week. That included class changes and gained Skills. The [Strategist] ran his eye down the list, grunting as he saw nothing too extraordinary.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright. We\u2019re moving past supply counts for now, Peclir. We\u2019ve figured out what was draining our ration of mana potions, and no one\u2019s complained. And I\u2019m sick of doing numbers. I\u2019ll make the new students do it as an exercise in logistics. Onto incomes. Another wonder. Where\u2019s the abacus? Not yours. I meant mine.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Fraerling was managing his company. Or rather, to put it another way, overseeing the affairs of the Forgotten Wing Company, one of the Four Great Companies of Baleros and arguably one of the powers of the world. And he was doing it while kicking over empty ink pots, kicking over full ink pots and swearing, hunting for a cheese crumb as a snack, and generally mucking about.<\/p>\n In ink.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t that Niers wasn\u2019t taking this seriously. But the reports and questions on Niers\u2019 desk were things he didn\u2019t strictly need to take care of himself. He had a system in place, and if he\u2019d let it work, nothing would have reached his attention. That was the point of a good chain of command. Niers had trained his subordinates to take care of all the things he was poring over.<\/p>\n But someone had to be at the top, and since Foliana was there, it fell to Niers. He didn\u2019t obsess over every detail all the time, but he made it a point to do a deep inspection of all his company\u2019s affairs at least once a week. And that was on top of giving orders to the officers, various company commanders, and so on for large-scale movements, vacations, and so on.<\/p>\n \u201cEnough, Peclir. We\u2019re good on income reports.\u201d<\/p>\n At last, Niers sighed and sat back. The various holdings of the Forgotten Wing company, from direct control to payments from protected cities, to their income in trade and goods bought and sold and any number of sources were finally looked over. Peclir knuckled his back and straightened.<\/p>\n \u201cAnything else, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGive me\u2026five minutes. Or I\u2019ll drown myself in that ink pot.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll procure a fresh one in that eventuality.\u201d<\/p>\n Peclir gave Niers a moment. The Fraerling grinned and then sighed. A thousand things his company was doing, and a thousand little mistakes that could lead to big ones if no one was watching.<\/p>\n Accumulating too many gemstones and selling them in bulk would crash a market. Bunching up too many sheep in one place meant they could all catch a disease. Taking away a city\u2019s main source of income meant it grew poorer and unrest started. Not to mention directing forces, conducting diplomacy with the thousands of companies in Baleros, fighting monsters, worrying about that damned Yellow Rivers disease in the brothels\u2026<\/p>\n There was always something to do if you looked for it. That was the curse of command. The more you could do, the less time you had to do it. How could you ever quit? The answer was that you couldn\u2019t. Not if you yourself were irreplaceable.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the problem with becoming one of the Four Great companies in one lifetime. Not enough experience and not enough high-level subordinates to fall back on. Right, Foliana? Foliana?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers looked up. No one replied, so the Squirrel Beastkin wasn\u2019t in the room. He shrugged and went on talking.<\/p>\n \u201cIf one of us dies, it falls apart. Which would please the others no end. But if we keep doing well, we die anyways of old age. Or we slow down and die. The point is, we need fresh blood. Our next generation has to be as good as we are, or better, or we should scrap the company now rather than watch it fall apart and come back to bite us. And we\u2019ve got a few good candidates, but not enough. So what do we do? Find loyal personnel abroad or hope we gain more good recruits? Because if we need it\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought the company was doing quite well as it was, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Peclir appeared in the doorway, fresh inkpot in hand. Niers sat up. Peclir set the pot down next to him. The tiny [Strategist] grinned up at the Human.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d think so, Peclir. But that only accounts for when I<\/em> am here. When I\u2019m here, the company functions well. But if I go for a while\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh. You require a fallback for your vacation.\u201d<\/p>\n Peclir raised an eyebrow. He had to be aware of Niers\u2019 plans. You couldn\u2019t hide much from a [Chamberlain]. You had to trust them. Even so, Niers hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. I\u2019m hoping to get some system in place. More so than we already have in case of emergencies, that is. But I won\u2019t leave until I\u2019m sure I can trust this company to more than that tree rat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur glorious leader?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho? Foliana, yes. She needs subordinates she can order about in my absence besides you. Where is she, by the way?\u201d<\/p>\n Normally, Foliana would be here, listening to Niers. Although she was as helpful as a wet sponge. The head of the Forgotten Wing company was, in fact, not good at any facet of managing it. But she did stick about, if only to needle Niers. The Fraerling looked inquiringly at Peclir. The man pointed above.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe she\u2019s currently eating oysters in her room, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd throwing up, no doubt. She hates<\/em> oysters.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers groaned. He was going to have to endure Foliana eating every variety of oyster under the sun for the next few days or even weeks.<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s the target this time?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe did not say, sir. And I did not ask.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFair enough.\u201d<\/p>\n Not even Peclir would be that keen to ask Foliana who she was targeting. But he had to be guessing. The oysters were a big clue. As was Foliana\u2019s diet in general, that was.<\/p>\n Muffins, spaghetti. Oysters today. As soon as Foliana completed her job, it would be something else. Fruits, maybe. Dates. Or some other dish, foul or fair.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t a secret. When Three-Color Stalker ate your food of choice, she was aiming for you. Some said it was a way to get inside your head. Freak you out that she was coming. Others claimed it was so that the target would be lulled by a familiar smell. A few idiot [Mages] in Wistram thought it was so Foliana could study her victims through some kind of food-psychology.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy does Lady Foliana eat the food of her victims, Lord Astoragon?\u201d<\/p>\n Today was the day Peclir finally asked the question. Niers sat up and grinned. It had to have eaten away at the man, but he\u2019d been working here for years without so much as asking it. Now that was self-control. And he was only too happy to answer. Again, it wasn\u2019t a secret if you were in the know.<\/p>\n \u201cNot to camouflage herself or anything stupid like that, Peclir. The reason is simple: she\u2019s showing off. Warning her target.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh. To disturb them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHardly.\u201d<\/p>\n Peclir\u2019s eyebrows shot up. Niers chuckled to himself. That was what people didn\u2019t get.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just to warn them. Nothing else. No advantage in it\u2014and a lot of disadvantage if it\u2019s something Foliana hates. But she does it because it\u2019s her thing. <\/em>Everyone needs a calling card. What\u2019s the point of doing something if it isn\u2019t with style?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the entire reason?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Chamberlain] closed his eyes for a moment.<\/p>\n \u201cAnother grand mystery, solved. Well, thank you, sir. I believe I\u2019ll lie down and weep for the grandiose mysteries and designs of the powerful after we\u2019re done here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou do that.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers laughed. Peclir didn\u2019t get it. But when you were that high-level, your reputation meant as much as actual efficiency. When Foliana ate oysters, anyone within a thousand miles who loved the dish started watching the shadows. It meant that someone who loved oysters was her next target. How much better was that reaction than being the silent, unpredictable killer?<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m feeling better now, Peclir.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am pleased my disappointment fuels you, Lord Astoragon.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers threw a tiny bit of chalk at Peclir. It bounced off a button on his lapel and was promptly lost forever. The [Strategist] looked at his papers and sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cEnough reports. Let\u2019s do the daily tasks. Meetings, I think. Have I got any?\u201d<\/p>\n He usually did. Niers\u2019 day was filled from start to finish with things he could<\/em> be doing, but didn\u2019t. For whatever reason, he\u2019d put them off, delay, forget entirely\u2014and spring on things that really mattered. He liked unpredictability, at least from his side. After all, the Titan of Baleros had enemies, and he didn\u2019t like being caught out.<\/p>\n But today at least, this year, had been peaceful. Only a few battles, all low-scale. Not every year in Baleros was huge bloody wars, at least for a Great Company. In fact, the Four Great Companies had found that peace was more profitable for them, at least in the long run. They could earn money off of their holdings and trade, and as a result, it was their allied companies, smaller divisions, and so on that usually saw fighting.<\/p>\n Baleros was bloody, but if two or more Great Companies fought, the jungles would turn red with blood. And that wasn\u2019t what anyone wanted. For the moment, at least.<\/p>\n So Niers\u2019 day-to-day life looked like this: check the health of his company. Make big decisions like rising to provocation, seizing resources, etc. Meet with those too important to ignore. Annoy Foliana. Eat. Sleep. Be annoyed by Foliana.<\/p>\n Teach his students. If every Great Company had their specialty, like the Iron Vanguard\u2019s emphasis on outfitting their soldiers and constructing military bastions, the Forgotten Wing company\u2019s trait was its base of officers. It trained students from around the world into military geniuses.<\/p>\n Not just [Strategists], but [Lieutenants] who got hands-on experience, [Commanders] who would see action in the jungles, even [Generals]. But it was known for [Strategists]. And those who were able to join Niers\u2019 coveted classes, much less the rare group of elite students, were sure to become forces that would influence the world in the decades to come.<\/p>\n That was what Niers spent most of his time on in days of peace. In war too; there was nothing more instructive than letting a [Strategist] command a battalion of [Soldiers] if they were ready for the job. And if they weren\u2019t? Well, that was why the Titan\u2019s nickname was also the Professor among his students. He liked to think he could bring out their best quality, and his lessons were often\u2026inventive as a result.<\/p>\n \u201cHow are the students doing, by the way, Peclir?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Chamberlain] sighed at the innocent tone in Niers\u2019 voice.<\/p>\n \u201cYour core students?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThose? No, I gave them the weekend off. They\u2019re preparing, no doubt. Getting up to no good. Give me a report on all their movements later. I want to see how they\u2019re planning for this\u2014if they even know what\u2019s coming at all. Wil has some idea, but I think the others haven\u2019t read the signs. I know Venaz hasn\u2019t. He thinks this will be a little event.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI shall light a candle for his survival later. And the report. But your new students are currently in their beds. Most of them. The children of nobility sent from Terandria were particularly distressed. After being made to survive for three nights in the jungle with no supplies. I believe their parents have sent several angry [Messages], sir.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll read them in my bath with a glass of wine.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers chuckled to himself, in a good mood. He glanced at Peclir.<\/p>\n \u201cAnything else? Wait, I asked about meetings.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh. Right. I was waiting upon a list\u2026here we are.\u201d<\/p>\n A door above Peclir\u2019s head opened. A little Fraerling popped out using the Fraerling walkways built into the citadel.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, Master Im! Apologies, Lord Astoragon. There was a rat in the tunnels.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnother one? I thought I got rid of all the nests!\u201d<\/p>\n Niers sat up, alarmed. Rats were a danger to Fraerlings. But the [Messenger] only grimaced.<\/p>\n \u201cYou did, sir. This one was quite dead. It wasn\u2019t cleared, though. I had a [Servant] remove it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh. Oops.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers sat back and shrugged as Peclir gave him a long stare. The [Chamberlain] accepted the small bit of paper the Fraerling carried and adjusted his spectacles to read the tiny handwriting.<\/p>\n \u201cHm. Ah, yes, there are a number of people wishing to see you, Lord Astoragon. As always.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s new? Anyone of note?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers sighed. People always wanted something of you if you had something to give. And the Titan of Baleros? He had money to spend, which meant there were [Merchants] offering artifacts, [Mages] trying to get him to fund their research, adventuring teams hoping for some fame or a tipoff from him, [Cooks] trying to get him to eat their cooking\u2014one time a [Chef] had even baked a life-sized replica of Niers. Now hadn\u2019t that<\/em> been fun to use as a prank on his students?<\/p>\n But generally all they wanted didn\u2019t really help Niers, so he\u2019d made it known that you could come and petition the Titan for an audience\u2014but you weren\u2019t likely to get it. And still, they came. There was actually a quite profitable business in the city for people waiting to see him for months or even years. Mostly in vain.<\/p>\n \u201cHm. Well, here is the list, sir. I don\u2019t see anyone too notable, but then again, I would underscore the Naga near the bottom.\u201d<\/p>\n Peclir handed the sheet to Niers. The Titan grunted and ran his eye down the list. The same old suspects. But he paused at the Naga.<\/p>\n \u201cXalandrass. War merchant. I don\u2019t know the name. Small fry?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFairly. His fortunes turned south when he was caught up in that incident by the, ah\u2026Razorshard Armor company?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, I remember. Those two idiots broke the rules of engagement. Well, it seems Xalandrass survived. Why\u2019s he here and why do I care?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t answer the first part, but I understand that he tried to bribe his way to the front of the queue.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow much?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTwo hundred gold pieces. As much as he could afford, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers\u2019 eyebrows rose. Bribes weren\u2019t uncommon, and they were wasted effort since Niers just gave it back to the briber, but two hundred gold pieces wasn\u2019t small. And if Xalandrass was in trouble, it made it more interesting still.<\/p>\n \u201cSo he thinks he has something I want, does he? Very well. Send him in. I\u2019ll meet him in the sitting room with the velvet curtains. You know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will send him there at once, sir. Refreshments?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe may have whatever he wishes.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers hopped off the desk and strode onto Peclir\u2019s waiting hand. The man spared Niers the effort of climbing all the way to the Fraerling walkways and departed via the door. Niers took the considerably quicker tunnels running through the citadel. Along the way, he spotted where the dead rat had been.<\/p>\n \u201cAh. Oops. I remember that one. Caught it running away. Must\u2019ve slipped my mind. Oh well.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers strode up the sloping walkway, navigating by memory to the waiting room. Along the way, he met a few other Fraerlings. They were employed by his company\u2014a rare thing. Even in Niers\u2019 company, Fraerlings were a rare sight. They wanted to stand aside, but the Titan waved them onwards.<\/p>\n \u201cKeep moving, for dead gods\u2019 sake! It\u2019s not as if this tunnel isn\u2019t big enough for all of us. Let the Tallfolk bump into each other.\u201d<\/p>\n That made them laugh. Niers saw a new hire, the [Messenger] who\u2019d done the delivery, point at his back. They did that, the first few months they were here. After all, there were legends of Drakes, kings and heroes of Lizardfolk, giants among the Dullahans, and so forth. Even the Goblins had kings, wretched though they were. But the Fraerlings only had one hero.<\/p>\n Sometimes it weighed on Niers. Sometimes he wanted to go away. To Liscor, in this case. But he couldn\u2019t. Not just yet. So Niers sighed, kept his back straight, and prepared his entrance.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Xalandrass the Naga had seen better days. Worse days too, like fearing for his life while two companies battled feet from his wagon\u2019s door. But better days, still. He\u2019d spent a lot of his coin, or rather, lost it escaping from the battlefield. And the days since then hadn\u2019t exactly refilled his coffers.<\/p>\n Still, the Naga was, if nothing else, vain. He\u2019d brought out his best silk vest, and his hair was combed. He wore jewelry on his arms, decorative bangles, but nothing too ostentatious. His serpentine head was gently powdered, and he had oiled his scales. His long, serpentine lower half shone as he slowly entered the waiting room the [Servant] had pointed him towards.<\/p>\n He was afraid. Despite being a Naga, one of the forms a Lizardfolk could turn into if they were truly exceptional, Xalandrass was acutely aware of whom he was meeting. He had treated with company commanders with a mixture of arrogance and deference, but this was someone else.<\/p>\n \u201cAh. Hello?\u201d<\/p>\n Xalandrass looked around as he entered. He slithered into the room slowly, watching the ground. A Naga was a humanoid upper half and a serpentine lower body. Their tails were powerful, and they were similar to Centaurs in that they resembled a cross of species. Xalandrass paused, afraid of running over something.<\/p>\n He knew the Titan\u2019s true stature. In that, he wasn\u2019t a fool. He was, slightly, in assuming that Niers would be anywhere near the ground. Xalandrass glanced over his shoulder at Peclir Im, whom he was taller than by quite a bit.<\/p>\n \u201cLord Astoragon\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe may be along shortly. I cannot say when he will arrive. Your patience, please. If you have any wishes for refreshment, simply ring the bell.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, no. I am quite fine. Quite\u2014quite fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Xalandrass coughed and reassured the [Chamberlain]. Of course the Titan wasn\u2019t here yet. He was incredibly busy. Xalandrass was just lucky to have gotten a meeting this soon. He settled back on the open carpet, breathing a sigh of relief as Peclir Im clapped his hands and a gentle [Light] spell filled the room.<\/p>\n Xalandrass looked around, noting that this was a room built to accommodate Naga or Centaurs. Open, without more than a single table. And on it\u2026was a little armchair? Oh! Just the size for a Fraerling. And a fat candle, in case the [Light] spell ran out. Of course.<\/p>\n Xalandrass chuckled. And in that moment, as he relaxed, preparing to wait as long as it took, he was at his most unguarded. So that was obviously the exact time when Niers made his entrance. He stepped from behind the fat candle he\u2019d specifically had placed in every room for such moments and turned.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2014wished to see me?\u201d<\/p>\n The Naga\u2019s eyes locked on Niers. He recoiled with a shout of horror that filled the room. Niers smiled as Xalandrass reared back instinctively and then fell over himself with apologies. He flourished, giving the Naga a small bow.<\/p>\n \u201cNiers Astoragon, at your service. I am pleased to meet you, Xalandrass the Naga. Peclir, thank you for bringing him here. I will see him now.\u201d<\/p>\n Peclir rolled his eyes as he shut the door. Niers winked at him and then turned his attention to Xalandrass. The Naga was trying to collect himself\u2014and failing.<\/p>\n \u201cMy apologies for the little surprise. How may I help you? I was told you had a matter of importance, and of course I\u2019m eager to hear any information\u2026of merit.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers stepped around the candle in front of his armchair. This too was a tactic. Xalandrass was trying to calm down, and now Niers had cut to the heart of a subject. The Fraerling watched him carefully.<\/p>\n A smart negotiator might calm down and take a few breaths. Someone with ice for blood might even address Niers\u2019 rude introduction. But Xalandrass, [Merchant] though he may be, wasn\u2019t that good. He rushed over himself, tripping over his words in his haste to address Niers. As if he was afraid he\u2019d be tossed out for not instantly answering the question. Well, in another company. But not here.<\/p>\n \u201cLord Astoragon. I\u2019m so delighted\u2014forgive me, I hardly noticed\u2014er, I did come here with vital information! To the best of my ability. I was\u2026you are no doubt aware I was involved in that unpleasantness between the Roving Arrow company and the Razorshard Armor company? Well, aside from the tragedy that unfolded, I made a number of significant encounters at that time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers put a lot of emotion into that one word. Impatience, a hint of intrigue\u2026Xalandrass nodded as fast as he could.<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed\u2014yes! A number of personages took to the field. I don\u2019t refer to the companies. But rather\u2014that was the battlefield on which a unique individual appeared. I don\u2019t know that you\u2019ve heard, but the Last Light of Baleros\u2014a [Doctor] who cures the wounded\u2014took part in that battlefield. And I observed her work. Truly splendid. And I came here to\u2026to tell you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He was mopping at his brow with a handkerchief. Niers stared at him. Suddenly disappointed, he sat down in his tiny armchair. If all Xalandrass wanted to tell him were more rumors about this Last Light, then Niers would pass. Baleros was full of legends, heroes who rose and fell in the course of a moon\u2019s cycle.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve heard of this Last Light. But an individual, even a [Doctor] isn\u2019t a unique occurrence on the battlefield, Merchant Xalandrass. I trust she isn\u2019t the topic of your visit?\u201d<\/p>\n The Naga gulped.<\/p>\n \u201cNot entirely, Lord Astoragon. But she is related! I did, in fact, meet her. And several others whom I can only describe as\u2014they were all part of\u2014but perhaps I should show you this. It speaks far better than I can.\u201d<\/p>\n He was fumbling with something at his side. A bag of holding. Niers eyed the odd object that Xalandrass pulled out. The Naga tried to flourish it and then panicked as he realized the only place to set it was on the table where Niers was sitting. He offered it up with two hands, slithering closer to let Niers see.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is that?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers frowned. Of all the things he\u2019d expected Xalandrass to pull out, this wasn\u2019t it. He stared down at some kind of\u2026it was a compact tube, that was for certain. And there was\u2026glass on one end? Glass and something inside of it. But the rest was made of a colorful steel\u2014no, it wasn\u2019t steel. But it wasn\u2019t wood either. Or any other substance Niers could name.<\/p>\n \u201cThis, Lord Astoragon, is a device I obtained on that battlefield. Not from the companies, but from some strange individuals. Humans. I believe it is known as a\u2026flashlight. <\/em>If you will allow me to activate it?\u201d<\/p>\n The name was instantly familiar to Niers. You didn\u2019t need to be a genius to know what it did. But he was intrigued. So he clapped his hands, and the lights in the room went out. In the darkness, lit only by a pair of windows covered by velvet drapes, he saw Xalandrass fumble with the device.<\/p>\n Belatedly, Niers wondered if this was an assassination attempt. Well, he had on his gear, and Xalandrass would have been screened. So if it was, it was original. But Niers didn\u2019t sense a spell come at him. Instead, he heard a click<\/em>\u2014<\/p>\n And a beam of light shot from the end of the flashlight. It was bright. Almost painfully so. And as Xalandrass swept it up and down the room, Niers saw the glow came from the thing inside the flashlight. It was being magnified outwards. Strange. Xalandrass swept it across the room, flashing it at Niers once and then apologizing hurriedly. Then the Fraerling clapped his hands and the lights returned.<\/p>\n The Naga swept backwards. He gestured to the flashlight proudly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou see?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI saw a light. A cute artifact, but hardly better than a mage\u2019s lantern. And too bright to do more than give away your position. Unless you can control the spell?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers replied drily. Xalandrass wavered, and then he slapped his forehead.<\/p>\n \u201cOh! Of course! I neglected to mention\u2014Lord Astoragon! This isn\u2019t a mage\u2019s artifact. This device isn\u2019t magical.<\/em> Not at all!\u201d<\/p>\n He raised the flashlight. And now Niers\u2019 eyes locked on it. He frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cExplain. And bring it closer. You may place it here, please.\u201d<\/p>\n He gestured to the table. Xalandrass did so, talking hurriedly.<\/p>\n \u201cNo magic at all. Feel free to examine it, Lord Astoragon. It\u2019s got components inside\u2014you can see the metal and glass past the\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOdd surface. Too smooth, but it\u2019s definitely not metal. What\u2019s it made of?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers interrupted Xalandrass, running a hand along the strange body of the flashlight. He glanced up sharply and saw the Naga hesitate.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m told it\u2019s called \u2018plastic\u2019, Lord Astoragon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you don\u2019t know. And it\u2019s completely non-magical. Not even a rune or mana stone inside?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI had a [Mage] friend of mine test it. She swears there\u2019s no magic at all.\u201d<\/p>\n Now that<\/em> was strange. Niers studied the device. There was no fire to it, even when he pressed the button and it lit up. Something was glowing, but\u2014Niers went blind for a second as he stared at the glowing filament of\u2026whatever that was inside it. That wasn\u2019t magic. No, that was some kind of metal. Wasn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n He glanced up and saw Xalandrass was watching him hopefully. Niers stepped back, hit the button on the flashlight, and decided to sit. He blinked spots out of his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Xalandrass, congratulations are in order. You\u2019ve got my full attention.\u201d<\/p>\n The Naga puffed up a little. Niers held up a hand.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t waste it. Without exaggeration, tell me. What is this device? How did you get it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, well, I would love to embellish the tale, but the answer is simple. I acquired it in the line of my business. A few mercenaries from a suppression company hired for the battlefield came over and tried to barter for some alcohol. They offered this in trade, and I took it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor alcohol?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers\u2019 eyebrows shot way up. Even a weak artifact was worth far more than that. Xalandrass smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cThey were desperate. And I offered them quite a bit to drink for these trinkets. And others.\u201d<\/p>\n I\u2019ll bet you did.<\/em> Niers had a low opinion of war merchants, who sold to companies when they were at their most desperate. They preyed on the short-of-luck. But he didn\u2019t say any of that out loud.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, you made a good business deal from some soldiers desperate for fun. Who didn\u2019t realize what they were carrying?\u201d<\/p>\n Xalandrass pondered that.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s say that their good sense was in shorter supply, Lord Astoragon. There were others whom I made better offers to who did not relinquish their\u2026objects. All part of the same company I might add. All Human. All new to warfare.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers was getting an image. A group of desperate travellers who\u2019d bartered this away. Poor enough to work in a suppression company. But rich enough for\u2026? And they didn\u2019t know the worth of this.<\/p>\n \u201cTell me more. Or rather, show me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe flashlight is a good start. But I obtained a handful of these during the battle. Taken from the\u2026deceased. I traded for it with some Dullahan soldiers. To them, it was only a flash of light and sounds, but I discovered they could be [Repaired]. Sir, please look.\u201d<\/p>\n If the flashlight had been calculated to grab Niers\u2019 attention, the second thing that Xalandrass showed Niers was intended to seal the deal. Because Niers had no idea what it was. It was a rectangle. Some object made of the same foreign substance as the flashlight, but the front was smooth as glass. And it had a\u2026button on it. And when Xalandrass pressed it hard and it came to life\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is that symbol? An apple?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKeep watching, Lord Astoragon. But\u2014steel your eyes. There are a number of bright shapes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSound?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd look. If I touch this\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The screen came to life. Xalandrass\u2019 fingers delicately tapped one of the square beacons of light, and it expanded. Niers stared as something appeared. He saw words. Nonsensical. Xalandrass tapped one of the words, and it lit up. Everything on the thing in front of him changed. And then a face appeared. Niers jerked back, but the face was still, like a [Mage]\u2019s illustration. And then there was music.<\/p>\n At least, Niers thought it was music. It sounded nothing like anything he\u2019d heard. He stared at the screen, at the moving thing at the top, at Xalandrass\u2019 face, and then held up a hand. The Naga instantly hit a strange pair of vertical bars near the bottom and the music stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cTake it back, please.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers settled back in his chair as Xalandrass retreated, looking pleased. The Titan realized he was showing his curiosity and bewilderment and cursed internally. He looked at Xalandrass and decided to play the Naga\u2019s game.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright. I am mystified. Xalandrass, tell me what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey called it an \u2018iPhone\u2019, Lord Astoragon.\u201d<\/p>\n The Naga pronounced the word clumsily. Niers stared at the device. And then the flashlight. His mind offered him several explanations. But he went with his gut.<\/p>\n \u201cNo magic.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNone whatsoever.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you got that off of the dead, did you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey would not part with it until\u2026several of their members were caught trying to desert.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh. By which company?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDullahans.\u201d<\/p>\n That meant beheading. Niers winced.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd those soldiers gave these things to you for a song and a dance? One would assume they\u2019d have realized the importance, given them to their commanders.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs I said, these devices were damaged when I obtained them. One made light, the other\u2026nothing. But I had my [Mage] friend [Repair] them and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Xalandrass gestured. Niers thought for a second. The Naga was clearly excited. He knew something of the worth of what he held. The problem was, Niers wasn\u2019t sure he<\/em> did.<\/p>\n \u201cYou see, Lord Astoragon, this iPhone has many functions. One of them was playing that music. But the others\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStop.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers cut him off. The Naga paused, and Niers looked at him. He wanted to talk about the device, but Niers had only one question for him.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Humans you bought this from. The ones new to war. Where were they from? What continent?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, well, they said\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAgain. Stop. Don\u2019t tell me what they said. You\u2019ve reached a conclusion, Xalandrass. Tell me it. And then tell me why. I\u2019m not here for a story. Where are they from? Answer me. Now.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers didn\u2019t sit up in his chair. He didn\u2019t raise his voice. But he concentrated, and some of Xalandrass\u2019 confidence faded.<\/p>\n \u201cTell me everything you saw, Xalandrass. Tell me in order, in a way that exaggerates nothing. You came here because you saw an opportunity. This is your chance. Use it wisely.\u201d<\/p>\n The Naga wavered. He looked at Niers, then hit a button. The iPhone went dark. The Naga drew himself up and then relaxed, his tail coiling inwards upon itself. Perhaps there was some wisdom in him, because when he spoke, it was as Niers had asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI met them in one company. Gravetender\u2019s Fist. The Last Light had been on the battlefield, tending to the wounded. She was an anomaly, but as you say, there are those who are strange. But the children in the company\u2014they were odd. They wore unique clothing and spoke with accents not familiar to me. They knew each other\u2014or rather, they all came from the same place. But I heard numerous names from their lips. All foreign. This is what I saw. This is what they did.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers listened as the Naga told his story of meeting the Gravetender\u2019s Fist company. Of witnessing their arguments, splintering, overhearing odd snippets of conversation. And then\u2014of seeing Ken and Daly rescuing a wounded soldier. Of Geneva, the Last Light, reattaching a Dullahan [Juggernaut]\u2019s arm. Of a flag. Of all that had passed before and after and most importantly, the conversations Xalandrass had had with the children on the road as they fled that battlefield.<\/p>\n He never said outright what he thought. But he didn\u2019t have to. The strange names. Earth. Americans. Australia. And the things their devices could do, their references to Geneva\u2019s skill as something commonplace. And what Xalandrass had overheard the children saying to each other.<\/p>\n How did we get here? Magic exists? Really? You hear about Nagas in stories. Want to go home. What about the others?<\/em><\/p>\n A thousand clues that pointed one way. It was such an obvious conclusion that Niers would normally suspect a trick. But the device Xalandrass held said otherwise. He showed Niers more of what it could do. Niers stared at a screen full of characters even smaller than he was move about before vanishing and wondered if an [Illusionist] could do that well.<\/p>\n No magic. A [Doctor] with skills beyond any other [Doctor]. Names and places never heard, never spoken aloud before. And Xalandrass saved the best for last.<\/p>\n \u201cThey formed a company after that. The United Nations. A symbol of their home, Lord Astoragon. Something they hoped would draw others to them. Unite them. Something only they would know.\u201d<\/p>\n And Niers remembered the report he\u2019d read. His mind turned to fire. It raced from conclusion to conclusion, igniting. Not just with what Xalandrass was hinting. At last, part of a bigger picture unraveled in his head. He had a moment he\u2019d felt a thousand times as a [Strategist], that of seeing the big picture. Of knowing.<\/em><\/p>\n Flashlight. Chess. The game of Go. A new game coming from an established Drake city. A girl waving a white flag. Wistram\u2019s new concept of scrying orbs and viewer mages.<\/em><\/p>\n One conclusion. One that made sense. Niers found his breath coming quickly in his chest. The world turned itself upside down. Only, it wasn\u2019t one world was it?<\/p>\n It was two.<\/p>\n At least<\/em> two. At least two worlds. How else did you explain the flashlight? The iPhone? No other way. Maybe if Niers weren\u2019t in his position\u2014but he had all the resources and experience of a head of the Great Companies, and he had never heard of a material like the one the two devices were made of. Xalandrass was a war merchant. He had seen any number of artifacts. But what was most telling was the way it fit with the other things he\u2019d picked up on. Mysteries unsolved. It could solve everything<\/em>. Chess, the dungeon Niers still thought about\u2014<\/p>\n Her.<\/em><\/p>\n And Niers felt his heart racing. He felt his mind bursting with thoughts, and he was filled with too much energy to contain. But he didn\u2019t move. He sat in his chair as Xalandrass finished and held still. He didn\u2019t tap his leg, he didn\u2019t raise his hand. He didn\u2019t give any signs as to the turmoil in his soul. He just tapped the armrest of his chair.<\/p>\n Xalandrass watched the Titan greedily, expectantly. He was prepared for Niers to shout after a moment, swear, or do anything in line with his colorful personality. But nothing happened. Not a twitch. Not so much as a smile or a movement of the eye. Niers\u2019 finger kept tapping the cloth. The Naga watched, confidence wavering. He had to know the value of his information. But when he saw Niers\u2019 face, his certainty fled.<\/p>\n \u201cEr. Lord Astoragon. This is all happenstance. But the coincidences. I have a supposition\u2014and I am sure one as intelligent as you has come to the same conclusion. If what I believe is correct, then\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Niers slowly looked up. Xalandrass\u2019 tongue tied itself in knots in his mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is interesting, isn\u2019t it? I\u2019m not sure what to make of it. But I think you have something. What, I\u2019m not sure about. But something.\u201d<\/p>\n The Naga\u2019s hearts beat hopefully. He waited as Niers pondered. Then, the Titan stood up. He walked once around the table, lost in thought. Then he stared at the Naga.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know how adept a [Merchant] you are, Naga Xalandrass. So I will be blunt and spare us both embarrassment. Not a word of this to anyone else in passing. Not this, not the company, and not your good fortune either. I\u2019m buying silence and all these trinkets\u2014even the ones you\u2019ve ferreted away and didn\u2019t intend to sell me at any cost.\u201d<\/p>\n A huge breath of air left Xalandrass\u2019 lungs. He opened his mouth, and Niers cut him off again. Brusquely. Calmly. Was he thinking the same thing Xalandrass was? That the children were from somewhere else<\/em>? Did he not fully believe? He was so\u2026calm. Unnervingly so.<\/p>\n \u201cTwelve thousand gold coins for your information. Let\u2019s call it two thousand per\u2026flashlight? Ten thousand for these other things. Per item. You won\u2019t walk away with more than\u2026six thousand gold coins right now. But the rest will come in business deals. Stay at your inn for two nights and then head north. You may run across some lucrative opportunities there.\u201d<\/p>\n That was a lot of coin. Enough to make Xalandrass rich and prosperous again and then some. Rich, generous\u2026but hardly worth the information if the Naga was right. True, it was objects and unverifiable claims\u2014at least for now, but the Naga couldn\u2019t conceal his disappointment. Then he had a thought.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, but what about the price of silence, Lord Astoragon?\u201d<\/p>\n The Fraerling gave him a ghost of a smile. It was the right question. He looked at the Naga speculatively, then raised his voice.<\/p>\n \u201cPeclir!\u201d<\/p>\n The door opened. Xalandrass spun, but it was just a Dullahan [Servant]. Niers pointed.<\/p>\n \u201cFind Peclir. Tell him to bring me the purple cloth-covered item.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt once.\u201d<\/p>\n The door closed. Xalandrass waited, his scales sweaty, until the door opened. Niers was content to wait. When Peclir returned with an object in his hands on a small pillow, Niers nodded to it.<\/p>\n \u201cShow Xalandrass. You want to know what I use to buy your silence? This.\u201d<\/p>\n Peclir looked at Xalandrass. He approached slowly and twitched the cloth back. Both of the Naga\u2019s hearts stopped beating at once. He stared at the object, reached out a hand, and snatched it back. Wordlessly, he looked at Niers. The Fraerling nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cFor yours and your [Mage] friend. It will make its way to you in time. In a bundle of wool, I think. Check each shipment that crosses your path. You have no objections?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNone I\u2014so generous! Of course I will keep the utmost silence and never, ever\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Xalandrass tripped over his tongue. Then he had a horrible thought.<\/p>\n \u201cEr, Lord Astoragon. It crosses my mind that perhaps, it could be<\/em> that my information, my guesswork, might be in error. The possibility is small, but if that should be the case\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at Niers nervously. The Fraerling smiled again.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re wrong, we\u2019ll renegotiate. But you\u2019ve told me everything and you\u2019re sure you\u2019re correct, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n The Naga placed his hand over his secondary heart in his chest.<\/p>\n \u201cI would swear on any truth spells you know. If\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n If he wasn\u2019t using them already. <\/em>Niers had a truth detection spell, but he rarely bothered to use it. Watching people was more important. Besides, you could fool [Detect Lie] spells. Not many people knew that. The Titan shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I trust you Xalandrass.\u201d<\/p>\n The Naga sighed with relief. Peclir took the cloth-covered object out of the room, and Niers watched the Naga\u2019s eyes follow it. A fortune indeed. But Niers had many fortunes, [King]\u2019s ransoms, and so on. And buying this secret was worth the price. There was a reason why people still came to him. Because if they had something he truly wanted, Niers would make them rich. He had let that be known too.<\/p>\n And this information. Oh! If it were true\u2026Niers was still thinking. It was beyond just one company now. Xalandrass only saw the United Nations company. But Niers was looking at the world. What if this weren\u2019t one incident? Surely not.<\/p>\n If this is so, then the world changes. If this is so\u2014the flashlight. No magic? What\u2019s inside? I need a [Blacksmith], a [Mage]\u2014you can [Repair] it?<\/em><\/p>\n The King of Destruction\u2019s reawakening. The death of Zel Shivertail? Tyrion Veltras\u2019 actions\u2014no, the [Emperor]? Trebuchets? Of course.<\/em><\/p>\n But deal with the Naga first. Niers cleared his throat to get Xalandrass\u2019 attention.<\/p>\n \u201cAll your artifacts will go with Peclir. And your silence means another Great Company hears nothing of this. If you are aware of any rumors like this\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014Not spread by me! Of course not!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, no. Not you. If you hear of any rumors, you will bring them to me. And remember, Xalandrass?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers raised his voice. The Naga was over the moon with his success and the reward. He glanced back at Niers. The Titan smiled. And it was a grandfatherly smile.<\/p>\n \u201cThe reward matches the information given. Of the service rendered. As do the consequences of betraying that trust.\u201d<\/p>\n That was all he said. That was all you needed to say. But for a second, Xalandrass looked at Niers and remembered who he was talking to. A six-inch Fraerling. A tiny person. Someone Xalandrass could squash with a single palm.<\/p>\n And the Titan of Baleros. And Xalandrass remembered all the legends and wondered if they were true.<\/p>\n That was enough. Niers left him with a mixture of jubilation and fear. The right mix, or so you hoped. It was a balance. But he gave instructions to Peclir Im about Xalandrass, very precise<\/em> instructions, and then went to his study. Niers walked over to an inkwell, made sure the door was closed, and went crazy for half an hour.<\/p>\n Peclir Im entered the room after the shouting had died down. Or rather, when Niers had begun shouting for him and ringing the bell. Niers was standing in a mess of torn up paper and ink and other possessions. Peclir blinked; he had no idea what Xalandrass had said, but he\u2019d rarely seen Niers this upset. Or was it jubilant? The Titan was something<\/em>, and he was pacing back and forth, reading from a document and muttering under his breath.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Venaz. You clever, stubborn idiot. This is just what I need. This, and nothing else. You\u2019ll play your role. And I\u2019ll be sure you do. Thank you for Minotaurs. Thank you for\u2014Peclir?\u201d<\/p>\n His head snapped towards the [Chamberlain]. Peclir hesitated. There was a wild look in Niers\u2019 eyes. The same kind of look Peclir had seen a few times before. If the Titan of Baleros was a giant, it was a sleeping giant. A friendly, sleeping one most of the time. But someone had just woken him up.<\/p>\n \u201cMay I help you, Lord Astoragon? I have a message for you. An important one from the Iron Vanguard company. I thought that even under the circumstances\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGive it here.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers snatched the paper from Peclir. It was written small, for a Fraerling. Even in his madness, he was still able to note small details. Peclir had already read the note.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Seer of Steel accedes to the Titan\u2019s request. Tulm the Mithril will be present in three weeks\u2019 time. Well, that makes it perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Strategist] had a crazy grin on his face. His mind raced. Yes, Venaz would probably do what Niers was thinking. Which gave him the perfect opening. Manipulate the minotaur. He could see Peclir watching him for some clue. But he couldn\u2019t know. Hell, Foliana would have to be told in their secret room, spelled against every single eavesdropping measure in the world. If he was right\u2014<\/p>\n Where was that damn Magnolia Reinhart\u2019s letter? And\u2014damn, he\u2019d need to check every report on suspicious activities. He\u2019d written it all down somewhere. But first\u2014<\/p>\n Niers looked around. His desk\u2014or rather, the table where he slept and worked\u2014was just a normal table. Cluttered\u2014less so after his rampage. But there was something by his tent.<\/p>\n A picture. A [Mage]\u2019s illustration, copied in perfect detail. It had been taken from a battlefield. From another person\u2019s eyes, at range. Still, Niers had requested his [Diviner] to enhance the image. It was still faint. Blurry.<\/p>\n But on that hill, a girl stood. In the mud, her clothes plain. She held a flag of white. And her back was turned. Niers stared at it. He spoke softly. Start with her. At last\u2026<\/p>\n He had to know.<\/p>\n \u201cI need to hire someone. Peclir?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Lord Astoragon? You wish me to make a call?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot to anyone in Baleros. Send a [Message] spell. Encrypted. Look up the cipher. But I need to make a call. To\u2026the best.\u201d<\/p>\n Peclir waited. Then he coughed.<\/p>\n \u201cThe best whom, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI worked with some experts in First Landing before. The best of the best.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Chamberlain] waited. Niers stared at the picture. Then he looked up. The die was cast.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst Landing. Tell the Brothers of Serendipitous Meetings that I have a proposition for them. And send them some of our finest wine via our contact there. I\u2019ll be awaiting their communication with greatest pleasure. Or something like that. And Peclir? They have access to my personal [Diviner]. Day or night. I want to speak with them immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI shall send the [Message] spell at once.\u201d<\/p>\n Peclir bowed and left the room. Niers stood alone, staring at the picture. Then he took a deep breath. He looked around, at the destroyed desk, at the papers, at the report of Venaz\u2019s not-so-covert actions\u2026if you knew what to look for, and then at another report.<\/p>\n \u201cThe United Nations.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers stared at the name. And then at the flashlight Peclir had left on his desk. He walked over to it. Touched the material that did not come from this world. And then he smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter years of searching, of wondering. At last. The world changes. Let there be light.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He hit the button. And there was.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Aiko Nonomura sat at a table and felt a bug run up her leg. She brushed it off absentmindedly, not even bothering to check what it was. A few months ago, Aiko would have screamed, cried, and washed her leg\u2014especially since Baleros\u2019 bugs were the kind of things that lodged in the mind. Literally, if […]<\/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":[11693086,349],"tags":[],"twi_volume":[11693135],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-5912","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-6","category-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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