Gemwright Ch 33

*Author's Note* There are no intimacy scenes in this chapter.

I step out of the cart a few minutes later with Bor'la, both of us much cleaner, and calmer, than before. She whispers a few kind words to me, I whisper some kind words back, and I send her home through the Gate. With a wave and a wink, she walks through, and I'm left alone at camp.

Hohh.. Bor'han picked a great woman. I shouldn't be jealous. I have Hana, Rin, Vai'yun; all of them are beautiful women I dearly love. Hah.. I still want Bor'la to be mine. I truly wish a long life for Bor'han, a man I respect, but.. a small, disgusting part of me hopes a kurs finds him alone, so that Bor'la might become Vai'la in truth...

I shake my head, and distract myself by remembering that Bor'la would still need to accept the quote-unquote NDA that I asked of the others. I stow the Gate scroll, and get ready to move the caravan. I recite the terms to myself to bring the thinking part of my brain to the forefront, and with a focused mind, hop on the front of my home cart. I touch a small exposed part of the gemwork through the stone, open the Topaz gate to Sentral and back to the food cart, hook up the horses with telekinesis and gemsense, and order a departure. Within half an hour, I'm pulling my two last carts beside the other six.

I confirm with the gemsense that everything but the barracks has its entrance fused shut, I hop down to meet one of the fellows waiting for me. I don't recognize him, but his nice looking clothes seem to denote him a merchant. He has.. a lot, and I do mean a lot, of facial hair. Bushy brown mustache, thick beard coming down to his chest, before curling off at a uniform height. None of it hides his lips, oddly enough. Gel?

Merchant, "Ho, friend. Would I be correct in assuming you lead this impressive stack of carts and wagons?"

Me, "You would. I'm Vai'grey, an alchemist jeweler of some success."

He looks sideways at the rest of my lineup. "Quite the understatement. To have wagons.."

Me, "Only a few of them are for business. I make enough money to run my business and pay my, uh, 'employees'. The other 6 carts are for habitation or leisure."

The merchant looks curious, but nods. "I am Regin, a merchant selling sought-after foodstuffs to all corners of the world. My brothers are part of the business."

Me, "Oh, very nice." I try to remember, what was it called... Gamalt! "Are you the fellows who bring in gamalt steaks then? Have you turned a profit in Port Juhatara?"

He laughs, "No, nothing so pricy as gamalt. We've sold a dozen batches of hrek mushrooms from the demon territory, and a few lesser known but no less exquisite specimens from Kengen."

Wow.. "Wow, I've heard nothing but how dangerous Kengen is, but you still go there to harvest, or perhaps buy mushrooms? To say nothing of the demon continent.. or, the demon territory, rather?"

Regin, "It goes by a variety of names, but 'Demon territory' is the common term in Friegheim. They sell the mushrooms to us in Friegheim, and we bring them here. Although, we did make the trip to Kengen to personally collect the mushrooms. There are a few relatively safe harbors, and we've connections there. As for our profitability, we've done rather well for ourselves. They sell well to high class eateries. Still, the boat's schedule moving sees us return with some of our stock

unsold

. Regrettable, but we ran the numbers. 'Tis better to return now."

I successfully stop myself from apologizing; I'd rather it not be known that I'm the reason. "It will be my first time in Friegheim. It sounds like you are a native?"

He puffs out his chest. "'Tis my place of birth for which I'll always be proud. How much do you know about our traditions?"

New cultures and all. "Very little, I'm afraid."

He nods, then holds up his index finger. "Many visitors don't. First. Always greet the elders before their youngers. If an old beggar, and the Al Ruheiban sultan himself were in the same room, you'd greet the old beggar first." His middle finger extends to join his pointer. "Grow a beard! Buy an alchemical mixture if need be. As a traveler, I understand your enjoyment of a clean-shaven face, but you may find it hard to be taken seriously. And lastly," his thumb extends, rather than his ring finger, huh, "

no orange

. Nothing orange at all may be visible from the sea. This is punishable by law." He puts his hand down. "A few grand sea beasts will attack anything of that color. They are driven back, but usually at cost in property, and sometimes life."

Me, "I'll have to find an alchemist then! And perhaps find whoever sells you.. whatever you use to style your mustache like that."

Regin, "A special mix of tree sap and others, passed down from my father and his father before him. I might be convinced to part with some for the right price."

I smile, as expected of a merchant. "I'll explore conventional options first."

Regin, "This is fair. Find me on board the ship tomorrow if you like. We'll all have a few days to get to know one another. Many a trade deal began from confined merchants bored on a ship."

With a wave, Regin departs, and someone new takes his place. He approaches from the city proper, though, and is flanked by two guards carrying a small lockbox. All wear the red weasel.

Official, "Mister Vai'grey?"

Me, "That's me."

Official, "We'd like to entrust you with the commission now. The gemstones are in this box, as is a copy of the details."

Me, "Sure, I'll take it now." I'll just toss it into my cart.

The official nods, and the guards set the lockbox down and open it. A small box inside contains some gems, presumably a dozen. I spy a paper as well, with some writing in Jensin. Excellent. I take the box from them, and after unsealing the door, put it just inside on the floor.

Official, "Master Faha reminds you that these works are to be handed over, complete, to our branch office within a week of landing."

Me, "They will be. Thank him again for arranging transportation on my behalf!"

The official bows and says, "I will." The guards mimic the gesture, and after straightening up, they all leave.

Think that just leaves the picnic on the hill, and maybe buying some magic beard tonic. I'm not really thrilled about the idea, but when in Rome, right? I'll see if my girls have any objections though. If they do, then the Friegheim fellows will just have to deal with it.

I flick a thought to Zone.. there you are. I casually jump up a few feet, grab the ledge of my cart, climb up, and hop a few carts over to the Crew member. "Any idea where a hair growth alchemist might be?"

- - -

It's apparently a common mixture, and relatively cheap at a few silver. I walk out of a funky smelling store with a couple bottles. It's apparently possible to OD on the stuff, so I'm given instructions to use only small amounts. It's topical, so if I spill it on my hand, wash it off as soon as possible.

I think I need to make more crabs. I want to expand my search for additional gemstones underwater. Nephrite, which seems to be mostly exclusive to underwater veins near Friegheim, is a critical part of my plans for a habitable space station, given that I can't trust Diamond to hold up after it was so easily smashed. Rin would be sad if I made golems without her, but I can at least make the Topaz spheres for them now. I find a bench with a nice view of the ocean, put my pouch on my lap, and activate the Topaz hemisphere that's already inside. The other half is in a tablet fused to Sentral's box... Nausea. Damnit. I left Zone on..

Hah... Maybe this is a good time to get used to it? I always feel sick when my Zone extends through a portal; something about the sensation of being in two different places at the same time upsets my stomach and messes with my sense of balance. For a mercy, this time it's only my ring's worth of Zone. Okay, change of plans. I'll sit here for a bit and stew in the discomfort.

... A few minutes later, I've managed to keep my stomach from rebelling, and the worst of the symptoms have passed. Phase two, then. With a hand on the back of the bench, I raise myself to a standing position on uncertain feet. There's a sixth sense humans have, the sense of body positioning and orientation which I can't remember the name of, but mine's all sorts of messed up. I suspect a walk will help with that, so I resolve to take a lap around town, or two, whatever it takes to overcome this. I could call my girls over to accompany me, but I could use some alone time to decompress.

I eventually make it from the port district to the craftsman's district. I stumble frequently on nothing. Anyone looking at me probably thinks I'm day drinking, but it's rough walking with my brain not interpreting my leg's feedback correctly.

I route through the poor section of town and back to the port before I'm walking normally again. I take a deep breath, and feel pretty good. What a relief. I'm sure Sentral's mile wide Zone would flatten me again, but perhaps I can work my way up.

Continuing the walk, I stick my finger through the bag's Topaz, and with Sentral holding some loose Topaz near the tablet, I shape a few smallest size spheres, and cut them in half. It's a bit tricky, but I'm able to make enough spheres for the crabs I've got, and a few extra. I make a quick and dirty tablet, title it "crabs" in English for laughs, and slot tablet halves to crabs. I'll make more later.

I'm passing by the caravan on my walk when someone calls out, "Grey!"

I shake my head, and look over.. it's Haji. I wave, "Hello, Haji. Glad you found the caravan! Did anybody tell you you're rooming in the boat until we get to Friegheim?"

He walks over, and I note that he's got a large sack in one hand, and a metal gauntlet worn alone in the other. On his back are what looks to be a spear, and an almost comically large sword. "Ho, Grey! Indeed, a thin fellow told me as much. I didn't know you kept the company of a darkness mage. They're shifty fellows, but he seemed alright."

Darkness mage? Huh. "Sorry for the change in plans. There should be an offloading of personnel once we land, and you'll get a room. If you don't, I'll pay for a hotel until a second barracks... uh, comes into my possession."

With a raised eyebrow and a smirk, he accepts my words at face value. "That is agreeable. Say, I met with a feokorn named Faid, and it seems she will be traveling with us. Faid had a nice idea."

Oh? "What's that?"

Haji, "You might

come into possession

of a cart for her, and furnish it with a table for the feokorn specialty massage."

My eye twitches. A massage wrapped up with that tail again? Hard to say no to that. "That does sound nice. I'll talk to her about the possibility."

Haji laughs, "Haha! That's terrible news! My coin purse is in danger! I may need to take on work in our destinations."

I chuckle. "She may find herself leaving my company with more of my money than I'm comfortable admitting. I'll ask if she can give a discount to caravan members."

Haji's eyes shift to somewhere behind me, and I turn around to see my women coming to see me. "Hello, ladies."

Rin, "You're back. We were wondering where you were. It's almost dinner time, you know?"

Vai'yun, "The picnic is prepared, and that 'sun' will begin to set before long. Shall we depart?"

Haji, "I'll leave you to it. See you on the boat tomorrow, Grey."

Hana, "It's the second to last thing to do before we leave port! Let's watch the sunset."

She hands me a familiar, oversized basket, and off we go, leaving me wondering what the last thing planned is.

- - -

The walk takes a bit longer than expected, but it's less than a mile from the Port, and the walk isn't steep. The hill does wind its way up though, seventy or eighty feet above sea level? Perhaps more. I look at the lighthouse, and we're about that high. Luckily the back stop prevents us from being blinded.

The top of the hill is rocky and dusty, similar to the rest of the surrounding landscape. We put down a few furs and the giant towel, set out the food - nuts and berries as expected, but something I don't recognize as well, little wrapped food items in what looks vaguely like a tortilla.

Hana had forbidden me from looking at the view from this hill, so it would be new for all of us. And I'm glad she did. The view is lovely. The arid landscape gives way to the shore and the blue sea, a rocky-walled Port Juhatara with the colorful interior, and docks dotted with ships large and small. And behind that, the sun has begun to set, painting the water oranges, yellows, and whites.

While we pick at the snacks, Hana grabs my bag and fishes out the hair tonic. "So, is our beloved going to have a bushy face?"

I suppose now's as good a time as any. "Friegheim, supposedly, has a culture that looks favorably on facial hair. I care more about what you three think, though, so I'll go bare-faced if you'd be more comfortable."

Vai'yun, "I've come to appreciate your smooth face, but I would not mind it more rugged."

Rin, "I'm okay with it. You with a beard would be a fun change of pace."

Hana, "We can try it. I will endure the pain of kissing a bearded man until we leave. But in exchange, when we rule the world, facial hair will be illegal!"

I laugh. "Tell me if it's too much. If I have to choose between Hanamaya and Friegheim, I will choose Hanamaya."

I get a hug. "You better. You're stuck with me!" After a moment she sits up. "Try these. Re'dan cooked it." She hands me one of the bite sized treat that looks like it's wrapped in a small tortilla. I consider it, then give it a bite. Chicken... tomato, and some sort of savory sauce?

Me, "This is.. pretty good! Re'dan is working hard, it seems."

Vai'yun, "Re'ku is, as well. The gems you created for the crew were given to her for polishing. To me, they shined brightly, and Wed declared her work satisfactory."

Me, "I'm glad to hear all of the Islanders are adapting to their new life well."

Vai'yun, "We most certainly are." And leans against my arm. Rin, as if on queue, leans against my other arm. Hana sits in my lap.

Me, "I'm a lucky guy."

Rin, "I think we're the lucky ones, though.."

Vai'yun, "I am glad to be with you."

Hana, "We're happy to be on this adventure because you are part of it."

I smile, they're too good to me. "I love you three with all my heart. You make this journey the joy that it is. Thank you."

Another person's warmth.. it's the most pleasant accompaniment to a sunset viewing I can think of. Tomorrow I'll have to deal with boats and carts and people.. But for now, the only thing on my mind is the love of my girls.

- - -

Eventually we decide we've burned our eyes staring in the direction of the sun long enough, and go back. They spend most of the time chatting about how they would do their own facial hair, if they were to grow any. The idea of one of them having a giant beard as long as she is tall gets a laugh out of me.

Arriving back at the dock, I'm surprised to see one of the carts slowly going up the wharf to the ship. A huge door on the side of the ship is dropped down, with a ramp on the inside, assumedly for carts to use to roll in. Their horse pulls it inside as we watch. "Looks like boarding has begun."

Rin, "I'll ask when we are expected to board." She walks off, and leaves telepathy.

Hana, "Anything left to do in town?"

Vai'yun shakes her head.

Me, "Can't think of anything. Just want to make some more crabs, and drop one into the ocean every few hours. Maybe we'll find something interesting? And, perhaps, we'll find more gems." Hmm... "Maybe some form of entertainment? Card games, board games? Books?"

Hana, "I wonder if Rin will ask for a library cart?"

Me, "Hah, I doubt we'll own that many books."

Hana looks thoughtful. "Maybe as a nice surprise to Rin, you can make one of the walls in her house a bookshelf, and fill it with books?"

Me, "That would be a nice surprise. Help me find some when we land?"

Hana smiles, and nods. "Of course!"

Rin returns. It turns out that we are not boarding tonight. It's less about prestige or anything like that, and more that we're eight carts in a group. The next largest grouping is... two carts. "They'll get our carts all in come morning," she finishes.

All is well on that front, then. "Is everyone else ready? I assume the Crew is just fine. How about our feokorn duo.. no, trio? I saw Haji, but where is 'Bint'?"

Hana, "I haven't heard from Bint, but the tails are in the barracks. The Re's are spending the night in the barracks as well."

Tails.. I guess that's a term for feokorn. Doesn't seem to be derogatory, but I'll probably avoid it just in case.

Hana smirks, "They call themselves that."

Ah, it's fine then. "Anyway. If everyone is accounted for, let's grab some portable entertainment?"

Hana, "Let me and Vai'yun take care of it. Early to bed and early to rise. Make those crabs, Rin and Bor'wa can help! If I need anything, I'll send a request back through Honeydew."

I think about it. "Yeah, I guess that's sensible. Do you want to meet up for dinner after?"

Vai'yun, "We'll have the crew get us something nice. Perhaps something with lots and lots of rice. And salty. Very salty."

Me, "That works for me. Get a move on, then. I'll see you whenever you get back!"

Hana and Vai'yun down the line of carts, out of sight. Rin looks a little enthusiastic. "Shall I fetch Bor'wa?"

Me, "Yeah, go for it. I'll get the other gems ready."

She makes the telepathy gesture as she turns away, and connects to my mind. I pose a question to Sentral, and it informs me that Bor'wa is nearby, talking to someone I don't recognize.

Alright, let's get prepared. Walking over to Sentral's box, I unseal it, then open the door.

A few hundred Topaz hemispheres litter the ground.

... Hahh, I thought I only made a few dozen. I touch a few to activate them, note that another portal opens when I do... Yup, they're all good. I scoop them up and put them with the rest of the Topaz.

I pick up Sapphire, ensuring it's polluted, then some Emerald. No Jet, no need. They'll be underwater, less light will reach them. Once they run out of power, they'll just deactivate until Bor'wa or Sentral connect to them again. Rhodonite to store power while they're away, so they can continue walking along the seafloor. Unlike the birds, I expect these to explore more slowly due to water resistance and such.

Now, where'd I put the crab tablet...

- - -

(side story)

Me, "My mom always said life is too short to be indecisive. If you love her, go and become mated!"

Man, "Perhaps you are right, little girl. What would I do without your sage advice? Thank you."

I've done a good deed today! "You are welcome. I am glad to help!"

This silly man is talking about unimportant things like money and family status. Those sorts of things don't matter though! What matters is babies.

"Bor'wa!" someone calls. It sounds like Rin!

I jog over. "What is it? Dinner time?" I'm a little hungry.

I remember the time the hunters didn't find any meat, and we all had vegetables for a while. I didn't like that.

Rin, "A little later." She looks over at the man I was just talking to. "Was she bothering you?"

How rude. "I am not a bother to anyone!"

The man chuckles. "She was not a nuisance."

Rin nods. "Come on, then, Bor'wa. Grey is making something."

That's exciting! "Let's go!"

If it's Vai'grey, then he will probably be making his Topaz golems. Wait, not Topaz.. Gemstone golems. They're different words here.

Rin takes me away to the Sentral box. It's where the grumpy Sentral lives. He doesn't like me very much, and he sometimes takes away the golems I'm playing with. He doesn't punish me when I misbehave, though. He isn't a proper adult.