Gemwright Ch 19

[Day 24 | Day 5 at Topaz Island]

I wake up the next day with a throbbing headache, to an atrocious smell. Am I... laying on sand? No, this is... Hana's giant beach towel. I hear the sea. Blinking my eyes, I've never been so glad there isn't a visible sun on this island, but it's still way to fucking bright, owowow...

It's currently morning, I think. I stand up and look around. The Hardbark chief is passed out, with what appears to be... meat in his hands. My chief, ah I guess I never swore allegiance yet, whatever, A'yado is missing, and so is Wed. What happened last night? Huh, there's a campfire that's just embers now.

I turn around to see a submarine sized... snakefish? With unmoving tentacles on its face, and several spots along its body. That's pretty fucking terrifying. Why is it laying on the beach? And why is there a huge hole partway down its body?

¬Sentral# what is your mana at£)¬

¬79%)¬ comes the reply.

Its mana regenerates pretty fast here. I don't think anyone else here could have put a huge hole in the middle of it like that. How much mana did I use last night killing this thing? And why did I do it?

Wed comes back with a water stone and some cups. "You're awake, good. Congratulations on killing a Sea God. Here's your reward." He fills the cups, and hands me one. He hands me the crystal, and I just hold it over my mouth and drink. Soonest begun is soonest... not hungover... yeah. Let's go with that.

Me, "Wed, what the fuck happened last night?"

Wed, "After you got sloshed, the chiefs goaded you into picking a fight with a Sea God. You somehow found one, lifted it out of the sea, and opened a hole in its, uh, neck." He gestures at the campfire. "We cooked and ate some of it, which I still feel was an unwise decision, and now it's sitting here. Oh, and you drunkenly joined the Coral Tree tribe. They took it very seriously, so I hope you meant it."

I look at him, then at my wrists. Sure enough, there's a bracelet with a few pieces of coral tree woven into it. It's surprisingly comfortable. "Huh. Well, I had already planned on doing so anyway. Should I... I don't know... roll tha back into the ocean? It's creeping me out."

Wed sits on the towel. "Nah. They're going to carve as much meat off of it as possible, and you'll be eating it for days. Weeks, depending on how well they can preserve it. The bones are going to be used for something, and," he interrupts himself by laughing, "they want to move the skull to your clearing in honor of your kill." That thing is like 9 feet tall, what am I going to do with a 9 foot skull? Uhg.

My head throbs, but it's just the hangover. "I didn't... like, kill the island's guardian or anything did I? Or offend any clergy?"

Wed, "Oh, no. That thing is a species, apparently, and there's dozens of them near the island at any given time. By the way, I want to let you know in case you forgot. One of your crabs got destroyed, and you shouted something about a 'hyper beam'."

That opens my eyes. I try to remember it, but I can't. Hyper beam should mean something I would have thought could be used out of water. I... Well, I'll be careful if I ever fight one again. "Noted."

Wed, "Lady Hanamaya stopped by earlier to collect Lady Ban'yun. They are at the clearing taking the latter's measurements. She and I will be going back to town today to buy clothes and such."

I close my eyes in hopes that it helps ease my headache. It does not. "Ban'yun... hmm, I still need to show off for her."

Wed barks out a short burst of laughter at that. "Consider her to be suitably impressed with this much, then."

Me, "Hmm. Ban'yun isn't going to Port today, right? Or is she?"

Wed, "Not today, at least. She doesn't have clothes warm enough. Nor modest enough, actually."

Right, right. "Well, now that you've been with them for a day-ish, what do you think of them? And, am I right to keep them hidden away from the world? Please give me your honest opinion."

Wed, "Always. I've gotten the feeling you don't want me just to be a yes-man." He pauses to think. "They're so gullible it hurts. They would believe anything I say, fall for every scam, and blame themselves when misfortune befell them. I understand why you feel protective. They don't lie, and they won't hurt people. I agree with your decision to hide them. If you ever plan to bring them into the wider world, they need to have a rude awakening, as a collective, about how the rest of the world acts, and fights."

Me, "Thanks for the perspective. They wouldn't be helpless in a fight, but it would be a catastrophe. I don't plan to bring them into the wider world, no."

Alright, reorient. "Okay. So today I need to get the two of you to Port. Ruby shipment may or may not be in? I guess most of my day is open."

Wed nods. "I should get back. We'll keep Lady Hanamaya safe. Check in in the evening and we'll return her to you with the clothes."

I look at my feet. "I guess I should carry him back. Can you grab the towel?"

- - -

The chief spares himself some embarrassment by awakening before we actually arrive. I set him down and offer him some water. He's unhappy with the cold, but does manage to drink it.

Since he's awake, I point him in the direction of the village, and go to the clearing instead. My headache is blessedly starting to clear up when I arrive. I can't help but notice Hana has stowed her new cat on top of her cart.

My three women are around, Rin in her cart, and the others in Hana's. Let's check in on Hana, since I'm sure Wed is ready to go.

They're talking about something when I enter the front door. "Hey Hana. Are you about ready to go back to Port?"

She waves and smiles. "Yep! I got plenty of money, and I'm gonna eat some civilization food too! I'll be back around dinnertime with a ton of clothes. I'll have them sent back to the Gate room, so if I'm not there when you check in, grab whatever I've sent back. You'll be done with Ban'yun's cart this morning right?"

Me, "Yeah I think so. At the very least I'll finish the frame, so there's somewhere to set the clothes."

Hana stands up, puts on some clothes, and takes a cold crystal. She grabs a bag too. I have Sentral prepare the scroll while Wed and Hana get ready. Well, Wed already is. Hana is hugging Ban'yun and Rin who also came out, saying she'll be back soon. Rin seems surprised, "Wait, you're going back for a day? Can I go too?"

I laugh. "I'll be so lonely, with two of my three ladies gone." Hana pokes me and smiles. "You're welcome to stay over there as long as you please. I'll check in twice a day if ever you want to come back. I know this heat can be stifling. Enjoy the Port, I don't plan to stay too much longer."

Rin nods. "I may take you up on that. Sentral is blessedly keeping the bugs from biting me, but there's still so many of them. I could use a day away."

... huh. Is it? That's nifty. A memory in the back of my mind twinges, I'll inspect it in a moment. Rin runs off to get her clothes on too, not keen on reentering society topless for some reason. I turn to Hana. "You gonna be okay over there?"

She smiles. "I've been just fine for how long now? And I'm even stronger now." She holds up a hand with two rings. "Don't worry about us. Besides, the Crew is looking out for us. We'll be okay. Now, send me through! Don't let me fall."

I have Sentral open the Gate. Hana hands me the cold crystal she'd been using for a few minutes, then I float her through the Gate with telekinesis. I see Wed already down there by the time Hana arrives. Heh, sneaky bastard. Rin comes along, fully clothed, gives me a kiss on the cheek, and says, "Love you Grey, see you later."

Me, "Love you too, Rin," and I float her through as well. They wave at me, then Wed and Rin walk out of sight. Hana connects to me. ¬your mate for the day will stop by sometime after lunch# I have a basket in your house with a paper in it# read it# and have fun=)¬

She waves, then disconnects. I almost don't notice the crate of Ruby; I have Sentral haul it over to my side with telekinesis. I close the Gate scroll, mentally handing it back over to Sentral to store.

Ban'yun presses her breasts against my neck, and drapes her arms around me. I connect to her. She really wants it. But.. "Yes, I will wait my turn." She moves her mouth to my ear. "But, watching you defeat a Sea God last night made me more sure than I've ever been about anything. I

will

have your babies. I will never have need to accept any studs, you are the most powerful male to ever stand upon this island."

I feel a tad uneasy. "I hope my children are everything you expect them to be. I worry that my children might not inherit my power."

Ban'yun, "If they are even one half, one fifth of your power, the next generation will be immensely powerful."

I put my arms over hers. "You will have your baby within the year, I promise."

She squeezes me, then let's go. "I am planning to deliver the child at that time. I will convince you." She lets go. "For now-"

A voice shouts my name, "Greeeey!" Bor'wa?

I turn around and see her running up to me. She looks excited, as usual. What I don't expect is for Ban'yun to ask, "Is that Sentral?" All of the spare birds fly past me and swarm Bor'wa who giggles and laughs, but I ignore them because Sentral is, indeed, out of its box and walking towards me.

Hmm. I'm concerned.

It stops a couple paces from me, and taps one finger in both its hands to where its eyes would be if it were human. Then it repeats this.

Bor'wa runs around us in a mess of green and black. I connect to my golem. ¬Sentral£)¬

Ban'yun, "Grey, what is happening?"

Me, "The golem I created, the source of a great deal of my power, is behaving strangely."

Sentral responds ¬open your eyes# include the child)¬

Now I'm nervous. My eyes

are

open. What the hell is it talking about?

Sentral repeats its message, tapping its face again.

Wait...

I open a connection with Bor'wa, and... how do I do this again... open, no.. open, open,

o

pen my eyes, oh, the ground is faintly glowing, Sentral's Sapphire is glowing. And when she runs back into view, Bor'wa's head is slightly glowing.

Me, "Drothur?"

Bor'wa stops playing, looks at us curiously, and walks to my side.

Attend to me.

Me, "I'm here, Drothur."

There is a change in the construction timeline for the temple.

Before it was 8.88 years after your arrival.

Now it is 8.33 years after your arrival.

Hmmm.. "I think I can manage that."

This is good.

I will compensate you with knowledge.

Oh good, there have been some things I was wondering about. "How ab-"

Your children will inherit partial power.

This golem will not subvert you in the way you fear.

Empower it without concern.

I would be forcibly dismantled by the others if your creation endangered the world.

Take this child on your travels.

Sentral / Drothur looks at Bor'wa as he communicates this.

Do not seek the power chamber of this island.

Do not go underground here.

I command this.

Something

s

naps in the air, and Sentral falls to the ground in a heap, as do the birds on Bor'wa.

Well. Okay then. "Do you know what's underground? Have you heard of a power chamber before? I assume it's the reason this island is so special."

Ban'yun looks at me wide-eyed, "No. Grey,

what was that

."

Oh. Right. "That was my patron deity, Drothur. Known as the god of hammers, blacksmithing, and golems. I'm an apostle, but you shouldn't tell anyone that. Since Drothur saw fit to appear in front of you, I'm letting you know."

Bor'wa interjects. "DOES THIS MEAN I'M COMING WITH YOU WHEN YOU LEAVE?!"

Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck. "Um. Maybe? I need to talk to your mother. And father. Would you please bring them here? It's important..." Fuck fuck fuck fuck

fuck

. How the HELL am I going to explain this to Bor'la and Bor'han? 'Hey, let me take your kid on my adventure around the world! I can't tell you why though!'

She gives a grin wider than any I've ever seen on her, and runs off as fast as she can.

Ban'yun is softly laughing. I feel lust and joy and excitement enter her link. "You're not taking it back right? I know you were nervous about the odds. Of our babies not having any special power. I was a little bit too, but, now, you're still going to-"

I disconnect before she blows me over with her excitement. "Yes, I'm still going through with it. If anything, this is a relief for me, that you'll be happy in the future. Please calm down. I'm trying to process this."

She's almost vibrating from her excitement, I'm pretty sure. "I should... find a task for today. I will see you later today, Grey."

Guess my party is growing. I'll need more carts. Speaking of... I connect to, um... it's okay right? I connect to Sentral, and he accepts normally. As though he hadn't just been possessed by a deity. I then jump out to the bird near the beach. There's quite a bit of Topaz built up here. Like, I could make several carts only with Topaz using this. Nice. I'll still cover it with Jet and a thin layer of Diamond. I have Sentral bring it all back with Telekinesis, return to his box, then I work on Ban'yun's cart while I try to figure out how to handle this conversation.

I set out some water and cups onto the table, and make sure the chairs and such are clean before I do work. I've got the box set up and the wheels working, then I just need to do the interior work. I leave the bed area incomplete since I need her input on height, but the rest I've just finished up and started on a second cart for Bor'la's potential couple (or maybe Bor'wa, shit) when the parents in question show up. They pause, noting the creature sleeping on Hana's cart, then return their focus my way.

Me, "Hello, Bor family. Please sit down. We need to talk."

Bor'han, "I gather that you'd like to take our daughter on your adventure?"

Bor'la, "We're not against it, we just want to understand why, where, and for how long. Though I suspect I know the answer to all three."

Bor'wa, "I tried to tell them, but for some reason, I couldn't talk. Sorry, could you do it?"

Hmm. I take a sip of water to collect my thoughts. I kinda thought that might happen. "Someone I trust a great deal has instructed me that Bor'wa's presence on my adventure would be beneficial. Therefore, I offer her a place in my caravan, free of expectation. I will provide for her, and shelter her under my protection." I look at Bor'wa. "She is... special somehow. Nobody has been able to interact with my golems the way she can. I'd like her to oversee my creations; my birds, my crabs, my horses, and whatever else I make, so that they are being useful to me, rather than doing nothing almost all of the time." The way her face lights up as I say that is adorable.

Bor'han, "In your care, she would be safer than she would be in the heart of our village. But I am worried about her continued upbringing. If we agree to this, would you defer to Ban'yun in matters of her upbringing and values?"

I don't particularly care, so sure. "That's fine with me. Ah, let's see. As for 'where', the answer to that is around the world. I plan to see all of it, if I can. 'How long,' as long as it takes to cross the world. I'm unsure how long that will be exactly. If you or she decides that the trip isn't working out, she will be returned to you. I plan to leave a Gate scroll here, so I can visit whenever I need. There would be hurdles on my end for you to visit me in the same way, but if it is required, I can arrange that as well."

Bor'la, "I see no problems with this. I am unsure how large the world outside is, but will you be done in a few months?"

Me, "Mmm... Please keep this between us, it will probably take longer than that. This is edging close to some of the secrets of the outside world I wish to keep. World travel has a scope of years. Perhaps you can consider it like... No..." Fuck, it's hard to talk about this without deliberately misleading them. And they'd fall for it. I shake my head. "It will take quite a while. If it looks like she will turn fourteen before I finish, I will talk to you about it." I know fourteen is when they consider children to be adults, so I don't want to interfere with any marriages or anything like that.

Bor'la, "I would ask you to keep watch over her as far as boys are concerned."

Me, "I'll ask Hana about Euko tea for her. There's no chance of anything like that with my group. As for boys she meets on the way, I'll try to keep her from doing anything foolish, but the Euko tea should prevent any, um, how do you say, weeds from appearing." Bor'la stifles a laugh, but makes no effort to hide it.

Bor'han, "Is that all of our concerns, petal?"

Bor'la, "Yes." She looks at me. "You'll take her, then?"

Me, "I need to talk it over with my women, but I can't imagine they'll say no. Bor'wa, are

you

okay with this? Sometimes it will be cold, or dark, but we'll have clothes and night lights for you. Your life will be very different than it is here."

She nods along, and when I'm done, says "Yeah! I want to go! I'll be a useful golem oversee person! Just you watch!"

I smile and nod. Then I turn to the parents. "Is there anything you're hoping to see from this journey? I'm glad you said yes, don't get me wrong, but I was expecting more resistance."

They look at eachother. A few moments pass, then they turn back to me, and Bor'han speaks. "Two reasons I suppose. Even if we expected nothing, we would say yes in thanks for everything you have done, and will continue to do for us. We know that she is in no danger with you safeguarding her.

"The other reason is more complicated. We have oral tradition going back three hundred years, and the ironworking clan claims theirs goes back around 800. Nobody's tells of a land outside of this 'island'. The only clue we had is that once every few generations, a strangely dressed corpse would appear in the lake.

"Now, you appear, telling us there are at least ten times as many humans alive as we thought not even a week ago. You dance away from the subject, but many suspect there are even more. Twenty thousand?

Thirty

? And we know nothing of them. What can they do, that we cannot? What can we do, that they cannot? I... felt the rug you gifted to the couple at the new house. It was

magnificent

. Is it a rarity where you're from? Is it commonplace?

"You have come, but now that you know we exist, how long before more do? I would like us to be prepared. To meet our brethren on other lands, able to create things as good, if not better, than they can, so we can trade, and in so doing, we can all prosper."

Huh, those are admirable reasons. "Alright, I can live with that. I'm unsure what skills she'll come back with. Feel free to learn, Bor'wa."

Bor'wa nods. "Which one of those do you live in? Am I living with you?"

Ah. "No, I'll make a new cart for you."

Bor'wa tilts her head. "I'll be sleeping alone?"

I'm confused. "How do you normally sleep?"

Bor'la answers, "We usually sleep in the house. Subdivisions within our houses are few. Most families all sleep in the same room."

Hmm. "Sometimes you will need to sleep alone, but one of my women may be willing to share their bed with you if you're lonely at night. I would rather not have you sleep in my own house cart unless circumstances required it."

Bor'la, "I'm sure Ban'yun will be willing to look after you if you're feeling lonely. And so will De'dan and Haf'ku, I bet."

Hmm? "Are they perhaps the couple you mentioned?"

Bor'la, "Yes. De'dan and Haf'ku are planning to become paired early, should you accept them. De'dan was planning to be the chef, and Haf'ku any other job you had available."