“Afternoon Hattie, it’s been a while since I saw your Verde Pepenes bouncing into my eyesight” Wardi said with a smile which quickly turns into a grin as a pen the size of a short sword flies past his face and hit’s the ceiling, sticking firmly in place and causing a moment which shakes the room.

  “If voices could kill, yours would be the one that takes me out. Wardi, you cheeky bugger, it’s been a while since you sorted my cobwebs out, how the gods are ya?" She said with a thunderous voice that could rally an army on the battlefield.

  Hattie was an interesting individual. Half Scaq on her father’s side. She had the shimmering green that tree leaves have as spring comes in, covering all her skin. She had the look of one meant for the sea life and the tail to boot, but being half Felidhan she also had fur in places one would expect, feet, hands, head, though it seems she inherited most of her father’s looks in the face it would seem. She inherited her mother’s Felidhan muscularity for sure too.

  “I’m doing fine Hattie; though, I think we can’t say that of Et-Navn don’t you? His face turned serious, and he moved closer towards her. “What’s been happening here, this place seems to have gone to dritt?”

  “I wish I could say… it’s been like this for days, weeks even maybe, I’m not sure anymore. One night I was here in my office, and I heard a scream, with a full noise dampener art cast on the room, and I’m told it was hearable through the entire town and a few kilometres outside it. The next minute, Von manor lit up, white, a pure blinding white. it gave me the creeps Wardi. Ever since then, the town’s been quieter and quieter, the streets have gotten empty, and business has taken a hit.” she said taking a pause for moment

  “Not just me either!" Said Hattie, spontaneously reinvigorated, continuing.

  “All the stores have taken a hit, and I’ve asked around and the townspeople all say the same thing, nobody has seen Larry” Last I heard he was heading to Von manor then he just disappeared without a trace. He told his assistant to take a small holiday or vacation, you know that thing what you weirdos from Terra used to call it, heard she was heading south for a beach vacation in Danidorm until he sent for her again” Hattie slumped back into her overly sized soft chair deflated for good this time.

  “Well, this is starting to get interesting, though not in the good way that brings me fun and happiness, any leads for me to go off? or is there anything I need to know before we start causing a scene around town?” Wardi said, prepping his tool kit in between chatting.

  Hattie took her time answering, mumbling a few things that just sound like incoherent nonsense to Wardi, though, he was almost sure he heard the name Lee or Clodopeng maybe she is talking about Lilia Clondening the Jeweller? He thought.

  Though, when he tried to ask, she just replied "You daft Azukuch". very naughty words indeed.

  “There was a merchant selling some an unusual knickknack, it looked to be from the far north or possibly old world Terran, likely Dornam tech though. Whispers in the tavern ranged from detector for low grade mineral deposits to a soul extraction device, usual grog talk” Hattie said, still using her thinking hat and not really all that present in the room anymore. “Sorry hun, hope it wasn’t a wasted trip coming up here and seeing little old me.”

  Wardi laughed in his head at the word little whilst biting his tongue to curb the laughter aloud. “Always a pleasure gorgeous.” Taking her by the hand, he kissed it gently, then bowed and left the room. He could practically hear the blushing after particularly as her stomping about in excitement was shaking the building. “Bless her cotton socks” he thought.

  We spent the time between Wardi breaking yet another heart upstairs, discussing what’s, where’s and when’s for after we solve the Et-Navn dilemma. Rhua made a fair point that the southern lands haven’t had much in the way requests lately.

  Horace’s suggestion of heading west was probably our best bet, we all agreed east is probably beyond our ability if what appeared to make Viv nervous is anything to go off. Lucy was the first to notice Wardi heading back over to us.

  “Speaking with Hattie was a bust… she said the only thing worth noting was some peddling merchant had been selling Dornam tech, simply not worth the time if you ask me” Wardi says, his tone certainly gave him vibes of done with this madness.

  We all let out a sigh in harmony just at varying degrees of effort. “Looks like we’re going to have to follow up on it regardless, there’s nothing else we got leads on currently, let’s do that then we should rest up until nighttime, then take a visit to Chateau Le Von…” Rhua said brimming with newfound energy.

  “What’s put a spring in your step then ey? Wardi says to Rhua who points at the cups she’s drank without anyone noticing.

  “RHUA, you drank everyone’s CUPS” Horace piped up who just makes her grin even more.

  Before leaving the tavern, I say to the rest of the group that I think it would be best if we stick together, strength in numbers and all that military talk. Setting out into the streets, there’s few out. Although I spot Kungle and his wife Pana bouncing around and beckon him over after calling his name.

  “OH, good seeing you lot out here, I see you even found the girl in the hat too!” Kungle bounces forth enthusiastically and his wife Pana quickly closes in on us to with a

  “ELLO, ello everyone, hope you’re having a springing time! What brings you to Et-Navn?”

  “The usual madness you beautiful Impies, what about yourselves?” Wardi says.

  “OH, well we’re just off springing about, ten thousand springs a day the medicae recommend, have you seen been over to that Manor lately? We tried bouncing along the rooftops, then we tried bouncing onto that one and it only gone and bounced us back! Invisible barriers set up all over the darn place!” “Cheek of it…I’m in my right mind to have a round or two with the idiot that put that barrier up, us Impies have rights too you know!

  Pana springing with energy says. “It’s all right dear, here” the puckering smooch-smooch were not that bad to hear though, the overly slurpy kissing is worse to look at than hear I thought, however.

  “Well, we better get going, we still have another one thousand three hundred and thirty-seven springs to go, nice seeing you all!” Kungle says before he bounces so hard it looked like he went over at least three houses.

  “Oh Kungle! You’re a cheeky bouncer, come here!” Pana says, her voice slowly fades as she quickly tries to catch up with his bouncing away and out of sight.

  “Well ANYWAY, Rhua says trying to keep us focused after that ludicrous display of affection.

  “That’s the first I’ve heard of a barrier? Not many capable of creating barriers of that calibre…” said Wardi.

  “Maybe it’s an item BARRIER, technology is improving fast AFTER ALL, we should investigate, if it’s non art in origin IT’LL BE EASIER TO break” Horace piped up.

  I nodded and said we should stick to the plan first, on the off chance that merchant could give us a lead.

  When we did eventually find the needle in a not so small haystack, Wardi hurried us over to the alleyway nearby and released seal on the keg. Slowly and creepily the red liquid came out forming a scale in the air above him. Lucy turned away and Horace looked at the floor out of fear.

  “Gross as always man” I said, Rhua nodding in agreement he replied with an “Aye” and slowly the scales began fading out of view. We’ll watch from here I said, and we waited in the alley whilst he approached the merchant.

  “How do lass, I think you’re the only merchant I’ve seen since I got here. What are ya selling? I’m after froot but can’t tell if you got any."

  “Where does he get all these strange sounding ways of talking?” Lucy said audibly sounding confused

  Stolen story; please report.

  "It’s from a form of entertainment that old folks used to watch." I said to her

  “I’m afraid I have no froot in my cart. I’m Fijetta, a reconstructor, not a merchant. It seems most of the town has gotten confused by my profession. I modify unwanted tech, weapons armour accessories and I try to make new things with the combinations. This piece of tech was made for finding ore in mines, with my skill, I merged it with an art tome and now it can scan an area for mapping traps I call it the OWIE."

  "I only deal in materials by the way." She finished talking and the scale ascended behind her.

  “I judge thy being worthy of blessings” A warm voice in the air whispered, and the softest red light engulfed Fijetta.

  “Strange, all of a sudden, I feel great, really great in fact” she said aloud.

  “You all right miss? “Wardi said faking concern.

  She smiled and replied "Yes absolutely, I’ve not felt this good in a long time! Here you should take this porter box, you just place the items you don’t want in to it and it’ll transport them to me, I can send it back over when I’ve finished, just make sure to put your name on the materials though, creations have gone to the wrong people on occasion."

  Wardi just stared at Fijetta, her fast and droning talking hurt him mentally, I know she said something to me in the blur of word vomit Wardi thought to himself.

  “Well thanks for that Fijetta, I do have some spare Mushay from a request I was partaking in and a bandit I beat had this extender pole on him if you’re interested in a trade for the OWIE?” She paused for a minute thinking, then nodded. Give me the goods and I’ll get working on it!

  “Deal, pleasure to have met you, I hope to use you again someti-.” She’d already wandered off before he even finished the sentence… Strange girl but a reconstructor could prove useful if we get some high-grade materials thinking to himself about the possible combinations for new swords.

  I rushed over to Wardi, who was standing their solemnly.

  “How did it go man? Did you get anything useful out of her?” I asked

  “Did any good Information about this place reach my ears… no it did not. However, check this stuff out." Wardi said whilst pulling the porter box out

  Horace piped up “A PORTER BOX! That’s so cool, you met a crafter WARDI!? He shook his head,

  “Reconstructor mate”

  Horace looked half surprised half confused “oh … WELL sometimes those are good I guess; I don’t like gambling with MY GOODS though” Horace piped up.

  “Well, who said you could use it, those things only link between the giver and acceptor, so you don’t have to worry at all, you don’t get to touch unless Wardi says you’re a good boy” I said giving Horace a pat on the back repeatedly, causing Horace to sulk and pout.

  “Her name was Fijetta, would you believe the bosh gave her blessing? The last time that happened was when I met that young Impie back in forty-one. No idea what it did to her, but she was up in the clouds with energy, I got this neat little piece of tech her through a trade, it’s called an OWIE, it maps out areas for traps, maybe it’ll come in handy soon!” said Wardi brimming with excitement.

  “That would be fantastic to have in our possessions! If we prepare the appropriate tools, we may never have to worry about getting hurt out in the wild again, and we may not have gotten any leads, but this is good news, it’s only a matter of time before we encounter an area that could be our gravesite” said Lucy with a little zest in her tone causing Rhua look to look down at her and noticing something shiny on the floor.

  As she looked at it further, she realised it was the lid to the sewers.

  “Hey all, follow me” Rhua says, quickly rushing away from us.

  We follow obligatorily wondering what is going on, not before I realise Lucy has fallen behind, so I pick her up and carry her over my shoulder, she thanks me with a head pat, those little legs get tired easily I thought.

  Rhua finally stops outside Von Manor, looking around from the roof to the ground.

  “Alright, taking a chance here, but I think MAYBE we can get past this barrier if we take a slightly unexpected path, Let’s meet back here at midnight said Rhua energised at potential route in.

  “Et-Navn hotel is near the northern gate; we should rest up there, I’ll lead the way!” Lucy says excited at the prospect of sitting down again.."

  We sit in the communal area of the hotel, a smaller bar unlike the ones in the taverns that smell of old alcohol and tavern food gases, this one has more of a woodland scent to it. Wardi, Horace and Lucy are resting in their chairs, whilst I attempt to pass the time with my eyes wandering.

  I notice that It's not long before a gentleman caller makes his attempt at Rhua, who always looks more approachable after she takes off the armour and dons her towny clothes, her knitted dress with a Kanin sewn into it looked made me think of Lucy than Rhua but can’t judge a book by its cover after all. I try eavesdropping which isn’t hard when the gentleman in question is loud about his business.

  “What brings a beautiful creature such as yourself to these parts? The names Brianado, eternally wandering soul looking for the love that will join me in eternity.”

  “Thanks for the offer but I’ll have to pass” said Rhua though the gentleman in question seemed undeterred.

  “Hey just one little drink come on” he said, heading over to the bartender, paying for something, and returning with a bottle of vin.

  I feel for her, she’s always having to bat them away over and over, the life of an adventurer doesn’t leave much room for romance.

  Time passes by and when I wake up, the time was close to midnight and we should start heading over to the spot. Few are out currently and there’s only the streetlamps lighting the area. When we get there Rhua makes an appearance within a few minutes of us waiting.

  Rhua waved and pointed at the ground. “I’m confident we can get into the Manor if we enter from the sewers, I noticed this earlier after the little merchant meeting; get in, I’ll close the lid afterwards.”

  I jumped in first, though in hindsight that was stupid as my foot was screaming when I landed.

  “What you going to score me judges?” I said trying to distract from the pain but Wardi being Wardi, had already sent me a Soothing salve down fixing up my little booboo.

  “I’m surprised it’s so lit up in here, and it doesn’t smell at all… is this actually a sewer?” Lucy said with concern.

  “It’s 2048, the terra lot did a great job modernising the Maliterr towns and cities after the merge, lighting standards went up, drink quality, sanitation a lot of things, I’m certain you can swim in this” Rhua said pointing at the water. Horace shook his head in disagreement, and I saw what he meant.

  Throwing in a broken dagger I had in my possession and standing there with great interest for what may happen next, as it bubbled in the green tinted water, then levitated out swishing around in the air. “Ignis!” Lucy shouted pointing her wand towards the dagger and melting it down with the intense flames it spewed out.

  “What was that all about?” Rhua said looking surprised.

  “Let’s keep going, I have a hunch and I’m hoping it’s right; I think it’s Larry, he’s been down here or still is, I’m sure of it.” Lucy hastily continued, her words drowning out the further she got, though we’re all much faster, so it only took three or four large lunges to catch up to her.

  As we hurried along the sides of the sewer, the colour of the water was noticeably greener as we travelled along it. I’m hoping that it doesn’t mean anything, we’re in unfamiliar territory the thoughts grew in my head making me weary. I noticed Wardi has pulled out the new piece of tech he’s acquired; getting frustrated trying to figure out how it works. Horace flicks a switch on the device, and it pulses out in front of us, and we all stop.

  “WARDI, let me manage it, this is MY JAM after all” Horace piped. Wardi gladly gifts it to Horace who doesn’t take long to figure out that there’s another trap ahead based on the weird red flickering dot on the screen that seems to be moving closer. He tells us to go to the other side and Wardi without hesitation darts across with ease, pulls out a rope and hammers it in the wall using his sword like a nail. Throwing his other sword back across with the rope attached.

  "Hammer it in on that side then hurry over" he shouts. Using her shield, Rhua embeds a spare old sword she had been keeping hold of and bashes it in the wall on our side, and we start to shimmy across when it’s fixed in place.

  Lucy being a lightweight gets thrown clean over to place less stress on the rope. As we get halfway across an exceptionally large piece of lumber shoots across and into the water. Luckily, this time it doesn’t suddenly levitate and start swinging, that’s a big piece and I don’t think I can do the dodge dance well with us all jammed in so close.

  “DRITT, it’s stopped working” Horace piped up throwing it back to Wardi “Well that was fun while it lasted, he said sarcastically.

  “Stay behind me all” Rhua now stood with her shield in front of her and pressed on ready for what could lurk ahead, reinforced by an enhancing shell effect granted by Horace’s artillerist ability.

  Minor traps were waiting for us as we continued, good thing they are mere low elemental projectiles, things Rhua could take head on with ease. We finally reached the end of the sewers, and an oddly dressed man was hovering perfectly still in the air.

  "It’s Larry!" Lucy said, "I’d recognise that custom made robe anywhere, it’s the Scrollitorium uniform." Lucy conjured up green arts with the words “Depetrifi, Groundus, Soothus.” The use of several arts in succession, caused ‘Lùth glow’ to occur, and she began to emit pleasant karamel brown and skoi blue glows around her person, the typical sign that channelling Arts without rest has occurred.

  Slowly the man recovered from the wounds that been covering his face and he returned to the ground being able to move like a normal person again.

  “Thank the bloody stars you, lot, turned up I’ve been like this for over a week; look at me, I’m wasting away from not eating! woe is me!” Larry said dramatically.

  “Your tougher than that Larry, everyone in your family is” Wardi said whilst laughing.

  “Yeah, I know, my acting is notably bad too, but I was hoping for a little sympathy heh, I imagine you lot are trying to figure out what’s been happening at the manor? I’ll let you in on a secret: I’ve no idea myself; I was down here investigating how to get into the manor, so I set up a few safety measures as I went along as you know and which you bravely overcame heh he said in one long stretch without taking a pause to stop.

  “I reached this point when suddenly the lid up there opened” Larry said pointed to the unremarkable lid above us, odd that it opened of its own accord, seems everyone else agrees judging by their looks thinking to myself. “And a white flash came through and I ended up like this!” he finished with.