It was such a spontaneous thing. The visit to Saliss\u2019, for instance. That had been planned. But the outcome changed things so much in such a short amount of time.<\/p>\n
Erin knew that was how life worked, but it still mystified her in a good way. What was amusing to everyone else was how surprised she<\/em> was that it happened like that. Because that was literally the defining experience most people had with Erin. But she seldom had it happen to her.<\/p>\n Of course, spontaneous things weren\u2019t always good. Spontaneous Crelers were almost always bad, no matter when they happened. But you couldn\u2019t predict things. And that was what Erin should have learned.<\/p>\n But then, she wouldn\u2019t be Erin if she was even close to perfect.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll begin setting up, then. Miss Solstice, you have my thanks for letting me use your inn.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin stretched briskly as he surveyed one of the private rooms in The Wandering Inn. And yes, the inn was more than a sole common room now. There were three private rooms that could be used for everything from storage to dining. One held Octavia\u2019s stuff, but another was in use this morning.<\/p>\n \u201cFerkr, Giren, set up three, no, six sets next to each other. Put up that mobile stand over there\u2014the benches along the far wall. Terreskil, start loading the weights. Put them at\u2014let\u2019s call it fifty pounds on either end of the bar for now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo, a hundred total, Magus?\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin paused and looked back at one of his students.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can count, can\u2019t you, Terreskil?\u201d<\/p>\n The young Drake apprentice blanched. Erin exhaled slowly, but she didn\u2019t interrupt. Grimalkin was a taskmaster, though. Like the coach of all coaches. His apprentices scurried about, setting up, well\u2026<\/p>\n A weights room. A gym, in her inn. Erin stared about.<\/p>\n \u201cUm. Not that I mind, Grimalkin, but would it have been easier to do this in Pallass?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRather than screen visitors and go through the City Watch, I\u2019d prefer to do it here. You may also have some insights, Miss Solstice. The mana cost is only for about a dozen people. And I was surprised to realize how easy charging the door was.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, well, Wailant planted a third of his grass yesterday. That might have helped.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin\u2019s brows rose. He glanced sideways at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cWailant who? Did what?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin realized the Sinew Magus hadn\u2019t heard about the Sage\u2019s Grass event. She began to explain, and Grimalkin\u2019s brows instantly crossed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou managed to come up with a workaround to the issue of mana consumption for your door after meeting a [Pirate Farmer] that your Hobgoblin ran into? Who is also coincidentally the supplier of Sage\u2019s Grass for the entire region?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin paused.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re saying that in a strange way. Look, it\u2019s just this one interconnected thing. Wailant\u2019s daughter is actually Garia.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGaria Strongheart. As in, the same Garia who I<\/em> have invited to my seminar today?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. Funny how that happens, right? So what happened was\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin held up a claw as he massaged what would have been close to the bridge of his nose on his face.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026I will inquire later. I\u2019m sure, no, I am certain that my decision was the correct one, Miss Solstice. You have my gratitude. Hmpf. What day is it today? I need to add another data point\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He began fishing in his robes for what looked like a diary. Erin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cCool, cool. I\u2019m gonna see to everyone outside. Let me know when you\u2019re starting!\u201d<\/p>\n She walked out of the private room as Grimalkin stared at her back. The [Sinew Magus] shook his head.<\/p>\n Spontaneity.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHey everyone, thanks for waiting! Grimalkin\u2019s setting up, but he\u2019ll be done in like, thirty minutes, tops. Probably ten since it\u2019s Grimalkin. I have water and oranges. And lemons, for if you\u2019re thirsty. That\u2019s free<\/em> since Grimalkin is paying for it!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWoo! Lemons!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut wait until you\u2019re sweaty, Relc!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin admonished the Drake who was trying to cram a lemon into his mouth. Relc paused and spat it out.<\/p>\n \u201cNo one touch that. I\u2019ll use it later.\u201d<\/p>\n A bit away from him, Embria covered her face with one clawed hand. A group of her senior command of 4th Company looked like they wanted to do the same, but they were at military parade rest as they stood together.<\/p>\n It did not look restful. Also, they were hardly the only ones waiting. Erin stared at a crowd of, well, swol <\/em>guests.<\/p>\n Swol. As in \u2018swollen\u2019, which Erin had understood to be slang for muscular in some capacity back home. She was employing the term because there was no other good word for the assembly in front of her.<\/p>\n Garia Strongheart and her father, Wailant. Moore. Jelaqua. Maughin. Relc, Embria, members of 4th Company. Councilwoman Raekea. Councilman and Senior Guardsman Jeiss. Even Pelt.<\/em><\/p>\n Yes, Pelt!<\/em> The Dwarf was drinking at the bar, but he\u2019d paid for his drinks. But he was here too! And for once, Erin had nothing to do with it.<\/p>\n Well, only a little. The truth was that this motley assembly of Liscor\u2019s, Pallass\u2019, and even Celum\u2019s strongest were here at one Drake\u2019s call. Grimalkin\u2019s. He\u2019d requested a reservation at Erin\u2019s inn, sent letters out, and gotten everyone to show up.<\/p>\n He\u2019d even paid most of the group to appear. Certainly Pelt. Grimalkin wanted a spread of muscles on display, and it was telling that Liscor\u2019s 4th Company of [Captains], [Lieutenants], and [Sergeants] along with some of the city\u2019s [Guards]\u2014were the scrawny ones in the room.<\/p>\n It was hard to flex in front of Moore, who was a half-Giant, or Maughin, who was as close to a War Walker as you got, whatever they looked like. Or a Gnoll [Blacksmith], or Relc, or\u2026<\/p>\n The overpowering muscle in the room was forcing Erin to keep from checking her own biceps. She had [Lesser Strength] of course, but that was a lesser effect that made her just\u2026stronger. She didn\u2019t work out.<\/p>\n But some of this crew had muscle<\/em>. Garia had abs<\/em>. The kind you were only supposed to see in gym commercials! And\u2014when you got down to it\u2014so did most of the others.<\/p>\n Relc didn\u2019t have abs, but if you stared<\/em>, you could see muscle shifting under a very thin layer of fat. Embria was fit\u2014wait, could Drakes even get abs?<\/p>\n Erin recalled Grimalkin. Yes, yes they could.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry I\u2019m late! Am I on time? What\u2019s this about?\u201d<\/p>\n Someone bounded into the room. And then the Fellowship of the Lift was complete. Hawk, the muscular bunny-man and Courier, strode into the room. He looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cWhoa. Am I in Liscor or Pallass? This inn has changed<\/em>. I nearly didn\u2019t recognize it!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Hawk! You here to lift?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Relc curled a bicep. Hawk walked over as Erin stared at his<\/em> abs. Garia was poking at her father\u2019s beer belly.<\/p>\n \u201cDad, I was invited. You don\u2019t have to be here. In fact, I\u2019d prefer it if you weren\u2019t. Go do your job!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not missing this. What\u2019s this about weights? And who\u2019s this fishy Drake you keep talking up? If he\u2019s lifting my girl, I want to meet him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026I don\u2019t\u2026that is not<\/em> what\u2019s happening! Do you even know why I\u2019m here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWeights. It\u2019s this thing where you lift heavy weights. Like, I dunno, training with a sword with lead cores. Only, the thing is\u2014there\u2019s no sword. It\u2019s all weight.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Relc was explaining what Grimalkin was pioneering here today to the others. Only, he was doing a poor job of it. Hawk had a cup of water and was drinking deeply; he was already sweaty. He must have just run in.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Solstice. Good to see you. Hawk? We\u2019ve met?\u201d<\/p>\n The Rabbit-Beastkin nodded at Erin. She smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course I remember, Hawk! Long time no see! Where have you been? Did you like the carrot cakes and stuff?\u201d<\/p>\n Hawk smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI was wondering. Sorry, the job takes me all over and sometimes I\u2019m not back for a month<\/em> depending on how deliveries run. I\u2019m going back north just after this, but I got the message from Magus Grimalkin\u2026he\u2019s a good client. What\u2019s this about weights?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I saw a few, but I don\u2019t know what it\u2019s about. But I\u2019d pay to be here rather than the other way around! Look at this crew!\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua grinned around the room with the Selphid\u2019s eye for bodies. Maughin coughed and gently nudged her; she was wearing a Raskghar body, which explained why Raekea was keeping her distance.<\/p>\n \u201cJelaqua, that\u2019s a bit immodest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOops, sorry, sorry, Maug. But it\u2019s just looking.\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid leered at Hawk\u2019s legs. Erin and Maughin both sighed. In truth, all this muscle wasn\u2019t doing much for Erin. Ulinde on the other hand was peeking glances from her spot in the audience; not everyone had been called over by Grimalkin.<\/p>\n \u201cIt helps you build muscle. Which, I dunno, is a good thing? I guess. Grimalkin\u2019s going to show it off to other cities, apparently. With weights.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you just\u2026lift them? How does that work, Miss Solstice?\u201d<\/p>\n One of Embria\u2019s [Captains], an older Gnoll, looked skeptical. Erin shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean, they\u2019re heavy. You build muscle with them. I don\u2019t really see the point.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you don\u2019t lift.<\/em> It feels great! And it\u2019s new.<\/em> Right, guys?\u201d<\/p>\n Relc looked around. Erin blinked as some of the 4th Company and Liscor\u2019s Watch nodded slowly. Was<\/em> it new?<\/p>\n Erin hadn\u2019t realized that weights, lifting in general, or the idea of going to the gym was completely unknown to this world. Wasn\u2019t it such a basic concept? She\u2019d assumed it didn\u2019t matter. But it did. As Grimalkin thrust open the door to the weights room to lead people in, he was already giving a brief overview.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you all for coming. I\u2019ll be repeating this speech once I have all six Walled Cities linked to my scrying spell, but I\u2019d like to give you an overview of this new concept I\u2019m calling \u2018weight-based training\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n There was a murmur from the crowd. Some of the non-affiliated audience members, like Mrsha, Numbtongue, Ulinde, and even Palt and some others peered around the open door as Grimalkin went on. Erin froze by the entrance as Lyonette hurried over with a platter of cut oranges.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Did he just say six Walled Cities?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTraining, as we currently understand it, is a process of developing the body to a number of tasks. There is incredible specialization, from [Martial Artists] who hone their body in every conceivable aspect, to more focused disciplines, such as training a [Warrior] to be able to fight in battles.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin paced back and forth in front of his audience, gesturing to the weights set up behind him and the apprentices, each with their own station.<\/p>\n \u201cUntil now, we have conflated the development of proficiency at arms with muscular growth, as we spar, perform basic calisthenic exercises such as running, or even use supplements to build strength. But building pure muscle is not often tied to one particular training exercise. There are <\/em>basic exercises, such as doing pushups, or jogging in armor, but sparring and our occupations have been the most relied-upon way of honing one\u2019s body.\u201d<\/p>\n It was a somewhat technical explanation. Relc scratched his head, and Erin saw Jelaqua lean over to Moore.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is he saying?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t build muscle so much as just get fit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin cleared his throat.<\/p>\n \u201cToday<\/em>, I am unveiling a new system designed to purely train muscle in the most efficient way possible! Not only will these weights provide a gravity-based exercise that targets whichever group of muscles you like, it is designed to build muscle beyond what you could regularly expect from, say, practicing spear dances and without the dangers of sparring!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin yawned a bit. But the audience\u2026perked up. Some of 4th Company looked at each other.<\/p>\n \u201cIs he serious? Building our muscles up further?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTold you this was great. Just watch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cObserve! Let\u2019s assume we have a [Warrior] trying to build up strength for a thrust. No, a [Duelist], for their classic maneuvers. Normally, they\u2019d gain an acceptable<\/em> level of muscle just by repeating the exercise. But the muscles they focus on run from the arm muscle, which everyone thinks of, to the leg, and even the core.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin savored the word. Some of the [Guards] blinked. Embria herself raised a claw.<\/p>\n \u201cCore, Magus Grimalkin? I\u2019m not sure I\u2019m familiar with the word.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Sinew Magus] smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is my understanding after decades of researching the body that muscular groups are not limited to just one body part, Wing Commander. Muscles\u2014are connected. When a [Duelist] thrusts<\/em>\u2014observe how my muscles move as I step in.\u201d<\/p>\n He demonstrated, conjuring a rapier made of fire as he did. Erin stared at the fire\u2014and then saw Grimalkin\u2019s muscles move<\/em>.<\/p>\n Arms, shoulder, down through his tight core, and leg. Erin saw Grimalkin\u2019s body ripple<\/em> as he demonstrated. The audience murmured.<\/p>\n \u201c[Martial Artists] have known this for years, along with [Fencers] and a number of other classes. When you punch, the blow comes from the rotation of the body, muscle groups that ordinary [Soldiers] may forget to prioritize. However, today, we will be revolutionizing muscular training. Weights will make [Soldiers] stronger<\/em> than they ever have been before, by artificially increasing the limit beyond what they\u2019d encounter in most day-to-day activities! Observe! Ferkr!\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll apprentice was sitting under a weights bar. Now, she unhooked it and lowered it to her chest and demonstrated a bench press. Grimalkin strode over.<\/p>\n \u201cFerkr is now lifting about a hundred and fifty pounds of weight. Note that I have two equal fifty pound weights on either side, plus the bar. A hundred and fifty pounds, all challenging her pectoral muscles. By exercising with controlled motions, Ferkr is straining and redeveloping her muscles. In what scenario could a regular [Warrior] hope to achieve the same, specific training?\u201d<\/p>\n At last, even Erin got the message. Grimalkin\u2019s audience was already murmuring.<\/p>\n \u201cDead gods, I think I get it! You can\u2019t get enchanted weight spells if you\u2019re some copper pay [Guard] or [Soldier]. But this?\u201d<\/p>\n Jeiss was talking excitedly with Raekea. He raised a claw.<\/p>\n \u201cDoes it really build muscle, Magus? Just from lifting weights?\u201d<\/p>\n The question was ridiculous to Erin. Of course it did! But\u2014catch yourself again. She knew biology. Grimalkin was nodding.<\/p>\n \u201cIt does, Senior Guardsman. I\u2019ve seen a quantifiable increase in my apprentice\u2019s muscles compared to my control group. I\u2019ll be presenting the data to the Walled Cities momentarily. And\u2014these weights may be somewhat expensive to manufacture, but I can assure you, if any Drake city cares to invest, they will be able to create a\u2026a gymnasium<\/em> where anyone will be able to improve themselves. For free!\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin\u2019s voice rose. And he was striding back and forth, as excited and animated as Erin had ever seen him. She looked at him and realized\u2014he was going to bring weights to this world. And she\u2019d erred in giving what she thought was something relatively small to the [Sinew Magus]. Because Grimalkin didn\u2019t think small.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cOnce constructed, these weight-lifting devices do not require any maintenance or upkeep. Now, I\u2019ll go through each weight device I have here with my apprentices to show you all the correct form\u2014do I have volunteers to try it out with them?\u201d<\/p>\n He had his audience sold. They were already lining up to try the bench press. Even Pelt put down his mug and eyed a barbell. Erin stared at Lyonette as the [Princess] stared at the room full of excited people.<\/p>\n \u201cErin\u2026this is going to change\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t know!<\/em> How was I supposed to know? He was just supposed to lift stuff! I don\u2019t work out! Who works out? I play chess!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n While The Wandering Inn hosted Grimalkin and his guests literally learning how to pump iron, the inn was far from empty. Mrsha got bored of sweaty people lifting things\u2014especially since she wasn\u2019t allowed to try\u2014and wandered off into the Garden of Sanctuary to frolic.<\/p>\n And by frolic, she really meant stalking the [Green Mage], Viceria, as she planted Sage\u2019s Grass. Wailant had abandoned his wife, but Viceria had not yet experienced Mrsha\u2019s antics. Which meant Mrsha was ready to pounce and scare the [Mage], or throw water, or\u2014<\/p>\n \u201c[Mudpit].\u201d<\/p>\n Viceria pointed her wand as Mrsha leapt out of the tall grass in the meadow. Mrsha went splut<\/em> into a deep pit full of muddy, heavy liquid. Viceria smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Mrsha. Were you trying to scare me?\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll looked up at Viceria. Her eyes narrowed. Oh, it was on.<\/p>\n At the same time, other people were working in the inn. The staff were downstairs, serving food and drinks to people waiting to see what all the fuss was about, and people were working above the inn too.<\/p>\n A group of twelve Workers were finishing the second floor. They\u2019d come by every day to lay tiles, flooring, construct walls, fit windows, and so forth. It wasn\u2019t the horde of Antinium that had descended on the inn under Belgrade\u2019s supervision the first few days; their numbers had been cut by Klbkch\u2019s order. No need to worry anyone.<\/p>\n Still, they worked hard. The Workers didn\u2019t stop for food, breaks, or chatter, and they had all the tools they needed. If they required wood, some of them would hurry down their ladders and jog into the city or Hive to get more. If they needed nails, a Worker would be going to get them so that the others never had to stop working.<\/p>\n They were a dedicated, scarily-efficient force. And more were at work in Liscor as well, building the new parts of the city. But that was a story for another time.<\/p>\n These twelve Workers had been doing their job for about\u2026oh, seven hours. They\u2019d come at dawn, and even if they hadn\u2019t been able to work on the second floor at that time because it was too noisy, they could pre-assemble part of their work and haul it up later.<\/p>\n They did not stop, or slow, or rest. Anyone would have called it beyond backbreaking work, but that was a Worker\u2019s life. And this was actually nicer than almost any other regular Worker\u2019s life because when they finished, they\u2019d be allowed to sit in the inn and have a bowl of soup for dinner, or some acid flies. That was bliss.<\/p>\n And it was also sad. Terribly sad, if you compared it to other species, other people. But no one did. Erin did, which is why she sometimes brought snacks up, and Lyonette and a few others had made the connection. But the Workers themselves didn\u2019t know what they should be upset about. In a way, it was fulfilling just to be at work all the time, to have a purpose. No one bothered them. They did their jobs, ate, slept, and died at some point. And that was it.<\/p>\n That was why it was strange, when their work was interrupted. Only, it wasn\u2019t by a young woman asking if they were sure<\/em> they didn\u2019t want a break, or lemonade. It was, in fact, by another Worker. He stood in the finished hallway and stared at them.<\/p>\n Bird, the [Bird Hunter], had a basket slung on one of his four arms. He tilted his head left, and right, as the other Workers paused and looked at him. He was not like them. He was Individual. Different.<\/p>\n Special. Bird spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, I am Bird. Who are you?\u201d<\/p>\n As one, the Workers paused. They stared at Bird, motionless. That did not happen. It was a rule everyone in Liscor learned\u2014you did not ask the Workers their names. Even among the Antinium\u2014no, especially among the Antinium\u2014asking a question like that was\u2026strange.<\/p>\n Beyond strange. But Bird was Bird. He hopped out onto the rooftop and walked over to the first Worker. The Antinium had a roofing tile in one hand and a hammer and nails in the others. Bird looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cHello. I am Bird. What is your name?\u201d<\/p>\n The Worker froze. But he had a name. Designation. He was Autonomous, the only reason he was trusted to be here without supervision.<\/p>\n \u201cT-this one is Archer B12, Individual Bird.\u201d<\/p>\n Archer B12\u2019s voice was stuttering, and he spoke with that odd, unfamiliar cadence most Workers had. He was not \u2018I\u2019, but \u2018this one\u2019. Bird nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Archer B12. I am Bird. Are you having a good day?\u201d<\/p>\n The Worker paused again. His mind was running up against a wall. Slowly, he turned back to his work. As one, the other Workers copied him.<\/p>\n \u201cThis one is on duty. It is not permitted to speak, only work.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Okay.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird watched as Archer B12 began hammering tiles into place, securing them with little copper nails. After a moment, Bird rummaged around in the basket he\u2019d brought with him.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you hungry?\u201d<\/p>\n Archer B12, who had hammered each nail into place with the precision a machine would have envied, nearly slammed a nail into his own fingers. He paused. Looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cI have cheese. Goat\u2019s cheese. It is tasty. And fruity. And I have meat.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird held out a crumbly, soft block of fresh goat\u2019s cheese. And a hard salami, both taken from Erin\u2019s kitchen. It was food<\/em>. Archer B12 stared at it. Jerkily, he picked up another nail.<\/p>\n \u201cThis one is on duty. It is not permitted to speak, only work.\u201d<\/p>\n The Workers were all hard at work. Bird tilted his head from side to side.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I am Individual Bird. What if I asked you which treat you liked better? Cheese or meat? I demand an answer. It is of utmost security to the inn. Yes. Probably.\u201d<\/p>\n Slowly, Archer B12\u2019s head rose. He stared at Bird. And Bird\u2026smiled. Slowly, Archer B12 stared at the goat\u2019s cheese and salami. He paused. And thought harder than he ever had in his entire life.<\/p>\n \u201cC-cheese.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird instantly offered him the goat\u2019s cheese. Archer B12 froze and didn\u2019t take it.<\/p>\n \u201cEat the cheese.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis one is on duty. It is not permitted to speak, only\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you do not eat the cheese, terrible things will happen. Archer B12\u2019s duty is to eat the cheese. That is what Individual Bird says. Also, as slowly as you want.\u201d<\/p>\n The Worker processed the statement. And then, slowly, he took the little goat\u2019s cheese. He began to nibble at it. Just\u2026tiny bite by bite. Eating something he\u2019d never had. So wonderful.<\/em><\/p>\n Of course, he\u2019d had soup, and acid flies, and everything else at the inn, all of four <\/em>times. And Archer B12 remembered each time. But cheese? All of it for him? The Worker tried to savor each bite.<\/p>\n \u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird sat down, humming happily and opening and raising his mandibles. He fished around in his basket.<\/p>\n \u201cWould Archer B12 like a drink of apple juice? It is a question of utmost importance.\u201d<\/p>\n Before Archer B12 could respond, a voice rang out across the roof.<\/p>\n \u201cBird! Are you bothering the Workers?\u201d<\/p>\n Instantly, all the Workers began working twice as fast. Archer B12 started, but Bird put a hand on his shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cEat.\u201d<\/p>\n He stood up and looked around. Erin propped her hands on her hips and stared at Bird. She had sensed him on the roof and she\u2019d been checking to make sure he hadn\u2019t been shooting Birds. But she stared at Bird and the basket as he came over.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you doing, Bird?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFeeding the Workers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? But they never want food when I offer it. They say they have to work. Why are you feeding them? I mean, it\u2019s fine. But why?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked at Archer B12, who was eating the goat\u2019s cheese and trying to rush and not rush at the same time. The other Workers silently worked, trading places, setting up frames\u2026Bird shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are Workers. And so am I. Since I am not hunting, I thought I would give them food. Because it is sad not having food all the time. Food in the Hive is bad food. Yucky.\u201d<\/p>\n His little speech made sense. But it still impressed Erin. She looked at Bird.<\/p>\n \u201cHuh. Well\u2014good job, Bird.\u201d<\/p>\n He really had changed since he\u2019d been banned from his vocation in life. Or rather, that was the reason. Bird tilted his head left and right.<\/p>\n \u201cMay I feed the others?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, I mean, are they hungry? They never are when I ask.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird nodded. He turned back and walked back to Archer B12.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is because you ask. <\/em>Is Numbtongue awake yet? He was asleep when I knocked.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019s still in bed. He was dragged to Wailant\u2019s farm to drink. I mean, he wanted to go, but he drank a lot<\/em>. Also, Octavia\u2019s in Pallass.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. So our mining expedition will not happen today, probably. Which is sad. But they are happy. Miss Octavia is. Numbtongue is sad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh yeah, Octavia\u2019s over the moon. She\u2019s learning from Saliss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe is very naked.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. But he\u2019s cool.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In his secret laboratory, Saliss\u2019 eyes glittered as he carefully maneuvered a dropper over the jar of Haste Potion. His eyes shone with excitement.<\/p>\n Real excitement. And that anything could make Saliss Oliwing, Saliss of Lights, Named Adventurer of Pallass, excited<\/em> was enough to nearly make Octavia rip her heart out of her chest. But she was learning.<\/p>\n For one thing, she was learning what it meant to be one of the best [Alchemists] in the world. Because Saliss was<\/em> excited. He\u2019d practically dragged her into his laboratory this morning to do this test. But he was also incredibly focused.<\/p>\n His claw holding the dropper didn\u2019t quiver at all as he dipped it in and took a minute sample of the dregs that Ryoka had left Octavia. Saliss did not crack under pressure. Nor, in this moment, did he let excitement do anything other than intensify<\/em> his focus.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can see my solution on your left, Octavia? That\u2019s a basic magical condensing test. We can reverse-test the potency of a potion based on the ingredients used. It\u2019s not a perfect test, especially if the potion isn\u2019t wholly consistent, but this will tell us the grade we\u2019re dealing with.\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia nodded rapidly, too scared to speak. Saliss slowly dropped a bit of the Haste Potion into the liquid and it began to bubble and seethe<\/em>. He slowly relaxed.<\/p>\n \u201cGood. Can\u2019t waste a drop if it is<\/em> a powerful potion. Or even a Haste Potion! We\u2019re sacrificing one drop\u2019s worth; if we standardize how much liquid we use, we can compare the resulting mana crystal to other potion\u2019s reactions. Assuming of course, we don\u2019t get a reaction.\u201d<\/p>\n The younger [Alchemist] nodded. Like Saliss, she was watching the flask intently for any signs of a bad reaction. Both were ready to move for cover, and Saliss had already secured the priceless Haste Potion sample.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026I think we\u2019re good. Go on, relax, take a look around. This will take a minute or two.\u201d<\/p>\n After ten seconds, Saliss relaxed. Octavia did not. She stared around Saliss\u2019 personal laboratory<\/em> and then at the Drake himself.<\/p>\n \u201cWh\u2014me?\u201d<\/p>\n He grinned at her.<\/p>\n \u201cSure! I mean, I am teaching you. Go on and poke around. Open anything you like. Just not any bottles. But ingredients? Sure! I\u2019m gonna eat more chocolate. Ooh, and I bought a cake with this whipped cream stuff!\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia saw him stretch and yawn. He took a slice of the cake he\u2019d bought from The Wandering Inn and began to munch on it\u2014he wasn\u2019t using utensils and just licked his claws clean.<\/p>\n Octavia hesitated, and then began to wander the laboratory. The Stitch-Girl was taking notes and trying not to faint. She was lightheaded and on a mental high\u2014higher than the time she accidentally burned an entire pound of Dreamleaf. She was tingling<\/em> with excitement.<\/p>\n And terrified it was a dream. This had<\/em> to be a dream. Ever since last night. She\u2019d\u2014she\u2019d slipped, cut her head off somehow, and this was the last thing she saw before her life-thread ran out of magic. That was it. There was no way she could be here.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cUm, Master Saliss. Is it alright if I\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia pointed to a steel cupboard, warded by spells. Saliss waved a claw and spoke around a mouthful of chocolate.<\/p>\n \u201cGo on, poke at stuff. Just close the cupboards when I start experimenting. Don\u2019t need a chain detonation. Also\u2014if I say run, run.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia nodded. She opened a cupboard, stared<\/em> at the rows of gemstones ordered by purity, and size, tried to guess at how much it was all worth, and had to sit in a corner and shake for a second. The sight of a few hundred gemstones gleaming at her had undone her in one go.<\/p>\n \u201cNice collection, huh? I get it from Salazsar. Xif has some, but he doesn\u2019t have as many as me.\u201d<\/p>\n Saliss winked. As he did, there was an outraged voice.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re letting her investigate your shelves? Saliss! There are dozens of [Alchemists] past Level 30 who\u2019d do anything for a day as your apprentice! At least let me in!\u201d<\/p>\n The speaker wasn\u2019t actually in the room. Saliss spoke into a little stone sitting on the counter.<\/p>\n \u201cShush, Xif! You\u2019re making the cake taste bad. Mm. Ooh! And a glass of milk does<\/em> go wonderfully with it! Erin was right! Hey\u2014hey! I think the reaction\u2019s nearly done! Maybe this is<\/em> a super-valuable potion you ignored because you thought Octavia was too low-level to teach!\u201d<\/p>\n He winked at Octavia and motioned her away; the reaction still had a bit to go. But outside Saliss\u2019 run-down lab, Xif, the most famous regular [Alchemist] in Pallass, pounded at Saliss\u2019 concealed door and howled into the speaking stone outside.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me in! You can\u2019t do this to me, Saliss!<\/em> I\u2019ll trade you one of the flower cuttings! Or my recipe for Alloyshine Oil!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEat chocolate, Xif! <\/em>Oh wait, you can\u2019t! Because you don\u2019t have any!\u201d<\/p>\n Saliss crowed. He began to dance around the speaking stone, laughing as he mocked the older [Alchemist].<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t buy what I\u2019ve got! Why don\u2019t you go to Erin\u2019s inn and see if she\u2019s in the mood to sell you more flowers? Hm? You know what, if you\u2019re really nice to Erin, you might be able to get her to sell you another flower in a year<\/em>, but I think\u2014whoa!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He twisted. Octavia nearly dropped the huge bicorn horn she was inspecting. Both [Alchemists] stared as something condensed in the clear liquid. Saliss dropped his cake, dove, caught it, and came back upright.<\/p>\n \u201cAncestors!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The crystal that had formed in the jar didn\u2019t look <\/em>big to Octavia. Barely thumb-sized. But it had come out of a single drop of the potion sample. And Saliss? He stared at it. Then he walked over.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s see. Based on the size, and the clarity, that\u2019s larger than\u2026my Youth Potion doesn\u2019t have\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? It\u2019s bigger than the Youth Potion? Let me in!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Xif shouted. Saliss nodded to himself. He put down the jar and the crystal he had been measuring with a little stick and scales. Then he looked at Octavia and nodded.<\/p>\n Her eyes went round. But Saliss was purely controlled. He took a deep breath, exhaled\u2014and then threw his arms up. The Drake ran around the laboratory, shouting gleefully.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s top-grade! <\/em>This has to be a relic\u2014do you hear that, Xif? <\/em>Are you crying?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He shouted into the speaking stone, and then turned it off before Xif could reply. Saliss turned to Octavia, chortling.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll be shouting into it for ages before he realizes I can\u2019t hear him. This is a great day. And that proves it! Have some cake! You\u2019re in luck, Miss Cotton! I have a new project! This\u2014and you!\u201d<\/p>\n He offered Octavia some of the cake on the plate. She stared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s\u2014it\u2019s powerful?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPowerful? It\u2019s not just a Potion of Haste. <\/em>It might be a Potion of Greater Haste.\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia\u2019s legs went out. Saliss instantly caught her and lowered her to the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cWhoa, watch out! Don\u2019t get weak-knees now. Seriously, that\u2019s how [Alchemists] die. Tripping. And I don\u2019t know if I can even replicate it. I have ways, but the attempt is what matters. I might level from it alone!\u201d<\/p>\n He was rubbing his claws together, looking delighted. Alive<\/em>. Octavia slowly rose.<\/p>\n \u201cMaster Saliss, I am so honored<\/em> to\u2014I\u2019m so\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe went over this. It\u2019s fine. We\u2019re [Alchemists]. And I don\u2019t steal. Not like you, Xif! <\/em>Oh, wait. I turned this off. Actually, he doesn\u2019t steal<\/em>; he just has that pushy Skill of his.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake leaned against his table, sighing. Octavia glanced up at him.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you\u2019ll teach me\u2014?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup. I can\u2019t make you an apprentice. I don\u2019t do that. But we bargained and you\u2019ll break Level 30 before we\u2019re done. I hope you don\u2019t mind this perfect body!\u201d<\/p>\n Saliss winked and posed. Octavia looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cI uh\u2014don\u2019t mind.\u201d<\/p>\n She blushed, trying not to look down. Octavia was still in the second day of meeting Saliss, which meant she was still conscious of him, unlike, say, the resigned Watch Captain Venim who could hold a ten-minute long conversation without so much as breaking eye-contact even with Saliss jiggling and dancing about.<\/p>\n Interestingly, that was what made the Drake pause. Saliss eyed Octavia, and then cleared his throat.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, maybe I\u2019ll put on a towel or something while I\u2019m teaching you. Don\u2019t want Xif getting weird ideas. I have one somewhere around here. Hold on.\u201d<\/p>\n He walked out of the laboratory, undoing the metal latch on the door. Octavia instantly shot to her feet.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no, Master Saliss! Anything you prefer is fine. Don\u2019t hold back on my account\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Saliss reappeared with a towel over his privates. He looked like someone coming out of a sauna.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no. I think I need to make one thing clear.\u201d<\/p>\n He pointed at Octavia.<\/p>\n \u201cMe, you? I\u2019m never asking you to do anything\u2026sexual. Or illegal. Or wrong. If you think I am, I probably said it wrong or you heard it weird. This isn\u2019t Nerrhavia. I said that last night, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia stared at Saliss. She nodded slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to imply\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no. Shh for a second.\u201d<\/p>\n Saliss sighed. He came over and leaned on the steel counter, looking at Octavia. Seriously.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we need to talk about it. I know<\/em> what happens with master-apprentice relationships. The master, male, female, Selphid, begins getting touchy<\/em> with an apprentice. Or you hear about them in bed. Or getting married. Well, the married thing might be different. But I studied in Nerrhavia. That\u2019s not happening here.\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia felt a surge of relief. Not that she\u2019d thought Saliss was capable of it. But\u2014she did know. She nodded silently. The Drake went on.<\/p>\n \u201cNerrhavia has a culture of it, right? What\u2019s the expression about sleeping your way to a mastery? Never mind. Well, it happens in Pallass too. Sometimes. If you\u2019re learning anything from me, learn this\u2014no.\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia nodded, then she paused.<\/p>\n \u201cIs it wrong, though, Master Saliss? It is an exchange. It happens in Nerrhavia. I didn\u2019t\u2014well, I didn\u2019t have an opportunity. It\u2019s mostly Silk-castes who get offered that.\u201d<\/p>\n The Named Adventurer paused.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I hear. And I suppose that\u2019s Nerrhavia\u2019s way of doing things. Actually, I hear a lot of masters fall in love with their apprentices, or vice-versa. That happens a lot, right?\u201d<\/p>\n The Stitch-Girl nodded. Saliss sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cHere\u2019s what I think of it. A master and an apprentice in the same bed\u2019s like sulfur and fire. If it doesn\u2019t explode, it will poison over time. It\u2019s not an equal combination of ingredients. Believe me. I\u2019ve lived that.\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia\u2019s jaw dropped. Saliss winked at her, but then paused.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll tell you about it, sometime. Maybe. Now, enough serious<\/em> stuff. Let\u2019s get to finding what this is!\u201d<\/p>\n He whipped out the sample of the potion and gestured to it. Octavia relaxed. Saliss had challenged one of Nerrhavia\u2019s traditions and she wasn\u2019t sure if she agreed with him. Master [Alchemists] walking about and being beloved and powerful was one of the reasons why she\u2019d wanted to become an [Alchemist]. One reason. But she had always hated that transaction; she\u2019d been stuck to grinding while lesser-talented [Alchemists] skipped ahead.<\/p>\n But now Saliss was teaching her, and Octavia was all for that. He wanted to try identifying the base components of the potion, and he had a number of ways to separate or isolate particular compounds. But finding every ingredient and learning how they\u2019d been mixed, blended, burned, boiled, or otherwise transmuted would be a terribly long task.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, we\u2019re rendering one sample and we\u2019ll see if air-drying takes this other one. Shame we can\u2019t try it; but tasting it is a last resort for me. If I had more, I\u2019d try more risky procedures, but every drop counts.\u201d<\/p>\n Saliss had a few clear glass petri dishes of liquid secured in a rack. Then he turned to Octavia and leaned on the counter.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, what gossip do you have?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me, Master?\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia paused in the middle of taking notes. She looked up, alarmed. Saliss grinned and winked.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? We\u2019re going to have to wait on some rendering to hopefully get a base component out of the samples. While we do\u2014let me have you make me your best healing potion. And you can gossip with me about more fun stuff in that inn. Or Nerrhavia. Unless you need to focus?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot at all? I\u2014gossip?\u201d<\/p>\n Saliss shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean, do you have anything better to do? Sometimes I sing, or dance. If you want to do that, I\u2019m all for it!\u201d<\/p>\n He struck a pose and began to do a slow hop across the floors, circling his hips. Octavia blinked, and then smiled. She\u2019d forgotten what it was like to be an apprentice, talking while she brewed.<\/p>\n \u201cI do know some gossip from Nerrhavia. I haven\u2019t returned in nearly five years, but I get [Messages]\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAha! Nerrhavia gossip is the best<\/em> [Alchemist] gossip! Tell me everything!\u201d<\/p>\n It was strange to do it with a master, but Saliss was someone you could talk to. He came back over and grinned and Octavia reached for a jar of Eir Gel. She looked around conspiratorially, as if she and her [Alchemist] apprentice friends were gossiping together.<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2026do you know Master Therel?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat stuck-up Stitch-Man? Pioneer of the puresand-cleansing process and the Flashfreeze Orb? Lover of ten thousand women? That\u2019s what he kept telling me every time I met him.\u201d<\/p>\n Saliss\u2019 eyes twinkled. Octavia nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, he was caught in bed with one of his lovers by his wife just last month. And she<\/em> sliced off his, uh, genitals.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOoh!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThe very same ones that were apparently sewn with gold-fiber and gem-thread that came from across Zeikhal, and were said to have pleased a thousand women before landing him the hand of the fairest [Veiled Consort] in all of Nerrhavia.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho did the cutting. Just to be clear, he could get a new one, right? He\u2019s a Stitch-Man if I recall. If he\u2019s not, this is a dark story.\u201d<\/p>\n The Stitch-Girl smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cDefinitely, and yes, Master Therel is<\/em> a Stitch-Man. Cotton-caste, originally. But this was his prized, er, jewels. His wife got the jewels, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOuch. And? And?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen she sewed them onto a camel\u2019s backside, and sent it racing into the desert. It was said Master Therel was seen sprinting after it with all his [Bodyguards], as his fabulous treasure was seen flapping in the open air.\u201d<\/p>\n Saliss rolled on the floor laughing. Octavia laughed too, and then paused.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, if you think that was bad, wait till you hear what happened to the lover\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A little while later, Grimalkin of Pallass, the Fist Mage, the [Sinew Magus], gave a lecture to a scrying mirror he held in one claw. It was a variation of the one he\u2019d given his audience earlier, cut down a bit to make it more punchy and less academic after a few suggestions.<\/p>\n Occasionally, the Drake would show one of the students lifting to punctuate a point, or flex a muscle group; he had perfect control over his body.<\/p>\n And he was also speaking to all the Walled Cities of Izril.<\/em> All of them in the world! True, he wasn\u2019t being broadcast by Noass and Sir Relz on Wistram\u2019s \u2018approved\u2019 channel, and the highest-ranking members of each Walled City weren\u2019t watching.<\/p>\n Well, the Dragonspeaker of Manus was. As were a number of powerful people from other cities. Watch Captains, military leaders\u2014they were all listening on Grimalkin\u2019s request.<\/p>\n It began to hammer home just how important Grimalkin was. Erin nervously watched as he made his speech about the safety, increased effectiveness, and utility of the weights.<\/p>\n \u201cWe already have a number of civilians observing the tests, along with the group I have personally invited. I thought it would be instrumental to see a hypothetical gymnasium in operation. I have the exact numbers of how much this would cost, which has already been forwarded to each Walled City.\u201d<\/p>\n He flourished a packet of paper. Another surprise; Grimalkin was<\/em> much like a muscley professor! He went on as he headed towards the bench press.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought it would be informative to observe how much or little muscle each type of profession or warrior can bring to bear. For instance, Selphids are known for their ability to Rampage and bring out a full body\u2019s potential, but how might that compare with the strength of, say, an elite [Warrior]? Here we have Senior Guardsman Relc, also known as the Gecko of Liscor\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Relc was lifting a weights bar up, both ends loaded with weight. He groaned.<\/p>\n \u201cAw, don\u2019t call me\u2014wait, am I being watched by everyone?\u201d<\/p>\n He stared into the scrying mirror. There were six benches and Moore, Jelaqua, one of 4th Company\u2019s [Captains], and two [Guards] were all sitting on the other ones.<\/p>\n \u201cAnother utility of these weights is measuring individual strength.<\/em> We can actually quantify data, although any one test will not properly represent an individual\u2019s full capacity, it is data. Imagine knowing definitively which of your [Soldiers] had the best upper body strength, or who had surprising growth or potential in any given area? We\u2019ll begin testing who has the most strength among this group. Begin lifting\u2014now!\u201d<\/p>\n The six all lay down and tried to lift the bar in the press Grimalkin had taught them. Moore looked incredibly nervous and self-conscious; Jelaqua looked like she was having fun.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are attempting to press two hundred<\/em> pounds of weight. Let\u2019s see how they do. Now, lift! Exhale as you push! I want to see you struggle!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin roared at the lifters, switching gears. Erin saw the bars lift\u2014she inhaled.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s heavy.<\/em> I weigh a lot less than that!\u201d<\/p>\n Indeed, while three bars rose fast, Moore\u2019s, Jelaqua\u2019s, and Relc\u2019s, the other three test subjects had trouble. The [Captain] got it up with a grunt<\/em>. Embria and 4th Company cheered him on.<\/p>\n \u201cGo, Pielt! Don\u2019t let those adventurers beat you!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Next to him, the two male [Guardsmen] were working hard. The Gnoll got it up, but his balance was off and he did have to struggle. The Drake\u2014didn\u2019t. The bar fell towards his chest and he cursed and called out\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cAs you can see, not all the trained warriors can do two hundred pounds. And while I\u2019m sure we\u2019ll see a very high limit on those with Skills and levels, two hundred is still a sizable number.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin caught the bar one-handed and pulled it back onto the rack. The Drake panted, shamefaced, as Grimalkin went on.<\/p>\n \u201cMost [Warriors], [Soldiers], and [Guards] are<\/em> physically fit enough to endure combat, but for how long? Ten minutes? Thirty? An hour? Good leaders know to rotate in fresh fighters, and most battles are very quick. Additionally, [Soldiers] may use a pike or heavier weapon like a maul, but most are using swords that weigh a few pounds at most<\/em>. Extensive training to lift heavy weights only happens with [Blacksmiths], [Laborers], [Farmers], and so on, which is why they can become such powerful [Soldiers]. But muscle can be an asset, and these weights provide a completely new way to achieve that goal with limited time and effort!\u201d<\/p>\n He had a good point. Erin was surprised, but while male and female Gnolls could hit that benchmark of two hundred pounds by and large, both genders of Drakes struggled and only a handful of the female Drakes could do it. They did not have a lifter\u2019s physique; they were trained to fight, not work out.<\/p>\n But one complemented the other. And there were exceptions. Relc did three hundred pounds, grunting and grinning, and so did Moore and Jelaqua. They hit four hundred\u2014Jelaqua didn\u2019t even blink as Relc growled. Moore had to tap out after five hundred; he couldn\u2019t get the bar up.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, Moore! You can do better! Uh\u2014I think I tore a muscle.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua cursed as she got her bar up. Relc was swearing as the 4th Company cheered him on. Moore rubbed at his shoulders.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t like<\/em> doing that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can see that Skills can have a powerful effect, but this is in a [Spearmaster] and Selphid adventurer\u2019s case. I submit that muscle is certainly useful\u2014but when balanced<\/em>. Overtraining one area of muscles simply unbalances the body. I have created a workout plan and exercises along with my theories on the optimal development of the body as a whole\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin was enjoying himself. And so was the rest of the room. New things were great. Strength training was great\u2026among a certain group of people. But they\u2019d also quickly caught onto the other aspect Erin was familiar with from her world\u2014competition.<\/p>\n \u201cGah! That\u2019s so heavy!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Relc eventually lost to Jelaqua who pushed up a massive<\/em> bar loaded with weights. The Selphid grinned\u2014and then her smile slipped.<\/p>\n \u201cAw. I think I just snapped half my body\u2019s muscles. Hey! Help me get this down\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Pelt yawned as he effortlessly curled a two-hundred pound dumbbell. But he grinned when Hawk had to struggle to do the same. Erin was just beginning to grow sick of the smell of sweat and Relc going \u2018yeah!\u2019<\/em> when she heard Grimalkin speaking.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyone who would like to participate, you may join the weights room now. I will broadcast this session with commentary, ladies and gentledrakes.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin saw other people pushing into the room. She lifted her tray of oranges and water as the tired test group abandoned the machines.<\/p>\n \u201cOranges! Water! Good for you! I think! Lemons too! Wait, are those good for you?\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin had told her to get both since Erin couldn\u2019t remember. The Drake glanced at her as the weight-lifters converged on her citrus fruits and water. He spoke into the mirror.<\/p>\n \u201cThat reminds me. There are optimal dietary intakes to build muscle. I am certain<\/em> that there are correlations between the intake of certain food groups and growth more effectively.\u201d<\/p>\n He glanced at Erin and she winced. She headed over to him with her tray as Relc gulped down water.<\/p>\n \u201cUh, do you want an orange, Grimalk\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRefreshments to the side, Miss. Please clear the work area.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin spoke brusquely, gesturing to a table that had been set up. Erin paused.<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She grumped over to the table and put down the tray; she\u2019d need to get more water and fruits already. Perhaps only Lyonette saw how Grimalkin carefully angled the mirror to avoid showing Erin to the Walled Cities.<\/p>\n \u201cWhew! That stuff is heavy<\/em>! Captain Z needs to get some of these weights. Imagine doing this every day at the Watch Barracks?\u201d<\/p>\n Relc was grinning and talking with some of the [Guards], who\u2019d strained muscles. Grimalkin had advised them not to use healing potions; it would just reverse their gains. Erin saw some groaning, but many were nodding at the idea. As many female as male, in fact.<\/p>\n \u201cSenior Guardsman, you can lift more than almost anyone else!\u201d<\/p>\n One of the other [Guards] from Pallass, a Garuda, breathed, eying Relc. He had indeed been one of the champions of today\u2019s lifts; Relc had both arm and leg muscle, whereas Maughin had been more unbalanced, and Jelaqua was just cheating.<\/p>\n Pelt could out-lift Relc, but one of the benches had collapsed and the Dwarf had said the steel bar had too much weight on it and had been beginning to bend.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, well, you know. I\u2019m Relc. <\/em>Say, are you from Pallass?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake grinned at the female Garuda. She nodded. Erin thought the Garuda was about a decade older than her, with ash-grey feathers mixed with blue.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. I was on the 6th Floor when the Wyverns attacked. But I saw you taking one down.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n Relc preened. Embria and her 4th Company weren\u2019t associating with the former [Sergeant], but Erin could see the Drake\u2019s daughter glancing over at her father with pride. Relc leaned against one wall and coughed into his claw.<\/p>\n \u201cNice uniform Pallass\u2019 Guards have got. Say\u2014you wouldn\u2019t mind lending it to me sometime, would you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n The Garuda looked perplexed. Relc put one claw on his chest.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause miss, I\u2019m an open, shy book to you and I need to cover up. And while you\u2019re at it, do you know where I can find a [Bard]? Because you\u2019re plucking at my heartstrings.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nearly walked into Moore, who was gingerly squeezing a lemon into his glass of water. A pair of Gnolls looked up and tried to cover their ears. Erin waited for the inevitable rejection\u2014<\/p>\n And saw the Garuda [Guard] laugh.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is the worst<\/em> line I have ever heard.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, really?\u201d<\/p>\n Relc blushed, scratching at his neck spines. He cursed, but the Garuda [Guardswoman] grabbed his arm as he tried to slide away.<\/p>\n \u201cNot so fast. I\u2019ll give you points for effort. Are you free after this?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake\u2019s eyes widened. He looked over the Garuda\u2019s shoulder at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course! Are you staying in the inn?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell,<\/em> I have to get back to Pallass. Magus Grimalkin only had us here to demonstrate, but if you can get a ride, I\u2019m actually off duty on the 8th at\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s jaw dropped. She saw Relc and the Garuda conferring, and then she walked off, flicking sweat off her feathers. Relc watched her go with a grin. Erin had to walk over as he called after her.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah! Definitely! I\u2019ll find a way! Grimalkin and me are pals!\u201d<\/p>\n He turned and jumped as he saw Erin staring at him. She stared at Relc, and then the Garuda.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, hey, Erin. Saw my slick pickup, there, did you?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin stared at Relc. His grin faltered and he coughed.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, I fumbled, but I did it! High five?\u201d<\/p>\n He held up a claw. Erin folded her arms.<\/p>\n \u201cHow? That was terrible!\u201d<\/p>\n Relc shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, you know, it works.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt does?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n A Gnoll exclaimed to Relc\u2019s left. The Drake sniffed.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2019Course it does! Or why do I use them all the time? Anyways, I\u2019m also<\/em> a Senior Guardsman, pal. And it helps, being a cool hero who helped fight the Wyverns. That lady knows a cool guy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2026what about Embria?\u201d<\/p>\n Relc froze. It seemed he had actually forgotten his daughter was standing at the other side of the weights room. He glanced over\u2014Embria was staring at him. She hadn\u2019t missed out on the obvious. Relc\u2019s tail sagged.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, hells.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRelc! You can\u2019t pick up dates when your daughter\u2019s here!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin shook her finger at Relc. The Drake looked defensive.<\/p>\n \u201cErin, come on. You can\u2019t blame me for having some fun<\/em> now and then, can you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t I? Wait, how often do you have fun?\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman narrowed her eyes at Relc. She hadn\u2019t heard anything about this! The Drake raised his claws.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re getting sort of personal here, Erin. I don\u2019t ask you who you had sex with two days ago, you don\u2019t ask me. We\u2019re not Gnolls.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou think we like smelling it all the time?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin stared at Relc. Well\u2014she guessed it had to happen. But she couldn\u2019t imagine Relc\u2026<\/em>her mind shut down a bit to prevent showing her anything.<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014okay, I\u2014well\u2014are you going to do anything?\u201d<\/p>\n Relc blushed. He looked at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cDo I have to answer that? And do you want me to answer, Erin?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] was saved from answering by Embria coming over.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t help but see you\u2019re popular. Dad.\u201d<\/p>\n Only a few things could be worse than Embria and Erin both confronting Relc over his possible date. And the [Guardsman] clearly looked like he\u2019d rather fight an Adult Creler.<\/p>\n \u201cListen, kid. When the moment strikes, you have to take it! Didn\u2019t I teach you that? And I told<\/em> you those lines worked! Like a charm!\u201d<\/p>\n Embria scowled after the Garuda.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can do better than her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, can\u2019t I just have fun for one night? Come on! Ancestors! Leave me alone! I don\u2019t ask you\u2014wait, I don\u2019t want<\/em> to know. See? I know there are boundaries!\u201d<\/p>\n Relc began to look genuinely exasperated. He threw up his hands and walked backwards. Erin began to feel a bit bad. It wasn\u2019t her<\/em> problem. She let Relc go. So did Embria, after a glance back at her command.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Aside from insights into Relc\u2019s dating life, Grimalkin\u2019s seminar seemed to be a hit. Certainly, Erin heard him answering questions as he stood in the center of the weights room. Strangely, he kept waving her off when she wanted to talk to him.<\/p>\n \u201cFine. I won\u2019t get you a protein shake. Whatever they\u2019re made of. Probably eggs and stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin grumbled and walked off. She found Lyonette in the common room; Erin enjoyed the odors and sounds of cooking and a clean inn, not sweat and audible grunting in the background.<\/p>\n \u201cOoh, who\u2019s making food? Drassi?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe burns food. No, Palt offered to make some of his curry. Erin, give me a hand with these, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin saw Ishkr and Lyonette were carrying down the pots full of faerie flowers.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you doing with those? Remember that [Thief], Lyonette?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI know. We\u2019re putting them in the Garden. It\u2019ll be even safer there. And the gold.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She mouthed that at Erin. The [Innkeeper]\u2019s eyes widened. Then she nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, it would<\/em> be safer there! Great idea! But why are you taking the pots downstairs? Can\u2019t you just move the garden\u2019s entrance?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cWailant and Viceria are working. And they can\u2019t summon the door, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, right. Okay, let me help.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin was going upstairs for a pot when she heard Montressa and Beza race into the inn.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere is it? Did we miss it?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI heard there would be a competition! Why wasn\u2019t I<\/em> invited?\u201d<\/p>\n Bezale snorted furiously. Palt poked his head out of the kitchen. Montressa stormed up to him.<\/p>\n \u201cPalt! You can\u2019t sabotage us like that! How dare\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin grinned and grabbed a pot.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s put them somewhere special, Lyonette. Maybe up on the hill?\u201d<\/p>\n The two were hauling the gold and flowers into secret spots as Mrsha rolled down the hill. She stared at Lyonette taking the little metal vault over to a hiding spot with Erin and waved her paws urgently. Mrsha was muddy after trying to sneak-attack Viceria, but she was excited and happy.<\/p>\n \u201cNot now, Mrsha, darling. Sorry. We have to hide this. Why are you filthy<\/em>\u2014Erin, you\u2019re stronger! Lift your side more!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLift with your back! No, wait, your legs!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The two young women couldn\u2019t play with Mrsha. The Gnoll drooped. She sighed, turning about. Maybe she<\/em> could lift with all the sweaty people? She walked out of the Garden of Sanctuary, and turned to see where Lyonette was hiding the gold.<\/p>\n A pair of hands grabbed Mrsha. She jerked\u2014and a hand clapped over her mouth. When Erin turned around, the Gnoll was gone.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The dark figure carried the struggling Gnoll out of the common room. It was so fast no one noticed. Mrsha wriggled, but the four hands held her tight.<\/p>\n \u201cAha. Now we have the little Mrsha. We will eat her. Probably. Even though fur tastes bad. Yes.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird pretended to nibble on Mrsha\u2019s head. She flopped around indignantly. Captured! By her arch-nemesis!<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Mrsha. I have got you.\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha glared up at Bird and her tail wagged as he took her to her and Lyonette\u2019s room. Numbtongue was in bed because his head hurt. But you could always rely on Bird!<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you want to do? Play tag? No? Hide and seek? Ah. Then I have sought you. You shall seek me.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird tilted his head left and right as Mrsha signed quickly. Obediently, she covered her eyes. She heard Bird running.<\/p>\n \u201cStealthy! I must think like the shadows! Flee!\u201d<\/p>\n He was the best<\/em> at being fun. Mrsha waited, closing her eyes and covering her ears. She also buried her nose in her pillow. She counted to one hundred, and then opened her eyes.<\/p>\n Now, where was he hiding?<\/em><\/p>\n Hide and seek with Bird wasn\u2019t your ordinary game played by the ignorant peons who thought it was some casual activity. It was life and death<\/em>. Numbtongue would play too, and all three were experts at hiding.<\/p>\n Bird was really the surprising one; Goblins were good at hiding and Mrsha was a [Druid] and [Last Survivor], but Bird? Well, he just had great hiding spots.<\/p>\n Like\u2014like hiding among the other Workers on the roof of the inn! Mrsha only found him because she smelled him. He got her when she squeezed into a cupboard in the kitchen\u2014Palt ratted her out.<\/p>\n You were allowed to ask people where the other person had gone. It was only fair; the inn plus the garden was large<\/em>. But Mrsha had one secret other ability.<\/p>\n When Bird hid the next time, she raced about, checking the gym, the roof, the garden\u2014but she didn\u2019t find him. She gave it ten minutes, and then gave up and used her nose.<\/em><\/p>\n Mrsha\u2019s nose was incredibly good. She sniffed down Bird\u2019s trail, and followed him into the garden. There, she realized Bird had pulled a fast one on her.<\/p>\n \u201cAaah! Aaah! <\/em>You found me!\u201d<\/p>\n Bird exploded out of the soil that Wailant and Viceria had dug up so they could plant their flowers. Both [Farmers] jumped<\/em> as Mrsha leapt onto Bird. He smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cMy turn! I will find you!\u201d<\/p>\n He had twenty minutes to do it. This time, Mrsha raced into her ultra-special hiding spot. Namely, a sack of potatoes in the basement. Bird wouldn\u2019t find her here!<\/p>\n And he didn\u2019t! The Antinium came close, but Mrsha had chosen a random sack and he couldn\u2019t sort through them all; she\u2019d buried herself deep. After twenty minutes, he had to give up and she smugly came out of hiding.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are good. But I will hide better. Away I go!\u201d<\/p>\n Bird ran off and Mrsha counted to a hundred.<\/p>\n This time she really<\/em> tried to find him with her eyes and ears. She asked everyone, but after sixteen minutes, Mrsha had to admit Bird was nowhere<\/em> to be found. She even ran all over the garden to find him!<\/p>\n So she sniffed him out. To be fair, it was a hard thing to follow. Bird had done well, but Mrsha eventually ended up at the pond. She stared into it, and realized there was a tiny patch of blackness sticking out of the water. It quickly retreated, but Mrsha had seen the mandibles.<\/p>\n \u201cYou found me. And I nearly died.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird announced as he sat up out of the water. Tenacious and fearless, he\u2019d actually submerged himself into<\/em> the pond, ducking into the water every time Mrsha passed by. He was in a shallow section so he could stand up, but that was Bird for you.<\/p>\n Creative. Still, he couldn\u2019t beat her nose. Mrsha felt a little<\/em> bad about it, but she triumphantly splashed him with water nonetheless. Then she ran off to hide.<\/p>\n \u201cI have lost again.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird stared at Mrsha as she rolled out of a pile of curtains where the Players of Celum were setting up. There were just too many spots for a little Gnoll to hide, and less for an Antinium Worker. Mrsha laughed and pointed at Bird.<\/p>\n And Bird\u2026grew frustrated. He paused, and folded all four arms.<\/p>\n \u201cI am losing. Hm. But I want to win.\u201d<\/p>\n It was mild frustration, but Bird took this game as seriously as Numbtongue, who had once folded himself into one of the huge stone ovens in the kitchen. Erin had nearly baked him before she\u2019d heard him coughing and swearing. Mrsha smiled and closed her eyes as Bird hid.<\/p>\n \u201cYou will never find me. Ever! This will be my victory.\u201d<\/p>\n The Worker promised as he ran off. Mrsha counted to a hundred\u2026<\/p>\n And she realized Bird had vanished<\/em>. Completely and utterly. Mrsha raced about the inn, checking all of Bird\u2019s usual spots. But he hadn\u2019t gone upstairs. He hadn\u2019t left the inn, she was pretty certain. He wasn\u2019t in the garden\u2014<\/p>\n Guiltily, as the timer reached eighteen minutes, Mrsha began to sniff the ground. It wasn\u2019t cheating\u2014<\/em>it was her nose! And she didn\u2019t want to lose. Mrsha was the best finder and hider in hide-and-seek in the entire inn and she wanted to keep that record. She had to beat Bird.<\/p>\n So she sniffed. And sniffed<\/em>.<\/p>\n But his scent was incredibly hard to trace this time. Mrsha roamed around the common room of the inn, pausing, sniffing again. Then\u2014she narrowed her eyes as she passed by a staircase leading down.<\/p>\n The basement.<\/em> The cellar door was closed, but Mrsha had rushed down there on her second hiding place. And Bird\u2019s scent was coming from there.<\/p>\n Mrsha opened the door. The basement now had proper stairs and a doorway, rather than a single hatch door. It was also much larger than before.<\/p>\n At the moment, it was just holding supplies. And it was checked daily by Ishkr or a Gnoll to make sure it was free of pests. Now, Mrsha crept into the dark room.<\/p>\n Spooky. <\/em>She shivered in delight. Numbtongue and Bird had surprised her a lot in their nightly \u2018scare-hide-and-seek\u2019 games, where the goal was to scare the seeker. But she felt like Bird had let her down.<\/p>\n This wasn\u2019t the best<\/em> hiding spot. Just a good one. Mrsha wondered if she should plug her nose somehow to make the game more fair as she sniffed around. Or they could go on an adventure! Numbtongue had promised he\u2019d take her on one, even if Lyonette said it wasn\u2019t okay. She just had to\u2026<\/p>\n Had to\u2026<\/p>\n Had\u2026<\/p>\n Mrsha prowled up and down the basement. Something was wrong. Bird\u2019s scent came here, but there it stopped. He\u2019d\u2026vanished again. She frowned. Mrsha sat on her butt in the basement and stared around.<\/p>\n She had a minute left and Bird was gone. But he had been here<\/em>. He wasn\u2019t in a sack; she\u2019d smell that. Ergo\u2026<\/p>\n Mrsha put her head to the ground and sniffed<\/em>, like a dog. Krshia said never to copy it and Mrsha usually didn\u2019t need to. But she needed absolute smellability. She slowly traced Bird\u2019s very steps.<\/p>\n Here, from the door, all the way to this wall. But there was nothing here. <\/em>Mrsha stared up. She could smell<\/em> even where Bird had stood. And then\u2014a faint smell of Bird. But hidden.<\/p>\n Mrsha stared up at the wall. In the gloom, her eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n