I patted Simon's hair and said, "There is more deeper down, but it gets dangerous, and I'd rather not bring you all to danger. I just figure the waterfall is what Simon wanted to share, because kids are that way."
"How much more dangerous does it become?" Dad asked.
"It's the Underdark, Dad. If it wasn't because of a deal with some Drow, we couldn't even be safely this deep." I said.
"Fair enough. I was more curious if there was an actual creature down here in particular." Dad said.
"Several. One I talk to, which also helps keep the area safe." I said. "Occasionally, it had tried to enslave my mind, but it hasn't in a while because it doesn't like the repercussions."
"What is trying to enslave your mind?" Dad asked.
"An aboleth this time." I said. "It's never got close. It doesn't know what I look like."
"And it's helping you?" Dad asked.
"Sort of. It's like, I told it something was skulking nearby so I'd have to leave and stop talking, so it ate the intruder. It lives in a pond deeper down, but it can move to other areas with water easily. The Drow are nervous of it, but the Duergar avoid it and the Drow think I control the Aboleth." I explained.
"Well, as long as you're able to maintain such a ruse, it can be very beneficial." Dad said.
"Well, if I can't that's what this is for." I said, opening a door. A swirling portal was on the other side of the door. "A lot of very old and eccentric beings are fond of me.."
"Where does this lead precisely?" Dad asked.
"You know, I don't know. I've thought of exploring it, but was advised to not by the Fey Underking." I said. "There is a bubble of Fey energy nearby which counts as the Fey because reasons, so he visits."
"If it's Fey magic it is indeed best to leave it alone." Dad said.
"It's just the 'maybe it's hell, maybe it's a nightmare, it's fun either way' that has me hesitant." I said, mimicking the Underking's voice.
"That would have me hesitant as well." Dad said.
I shut the door and said, "The waterfall is nice. The Aboleth isn't there currently."
"Then let's go enjoy the waterfall. It did look very pretty." Mom said.
Snow had been holding a carving I'd done in in her hands. She looked up at Mom's suggestion and said, "I agree. It did look lovely." She turned the carving of her, Dad and Jasper towards me and said, "Isn't this us?"
"Yeah. When Dad had the nursery made one of the items on the mobile was a beholder, and Dad yelled over it so I made one for it." I said. "I had thought it would be good for the baby to see their family if they woke up scared at night."
"It's extremely well done." Dad commented.
Snow agreed and began looking it over again. "You can keep it. I haven't been able to reach that level again. My hands can't do what I need them to yet cause they are so small." I said.
"You're accuracy has always amazed me." Snow said. "Your respect to detail is amazing, and you don't even think so."
I shrugged a little, and we headed outside, Once by the falls Simon began to play in the water, and I sat at the edge, unwilling to get in, then mind linked to my Mom. 'Was your conversation productive?'
'Yes, it was very productive.' Mom answered. 'He was, initially, very surprised.'
'He has a son already, he knows how that works.' I pointed out.
'As do I.' Mom said. 'It's just not very common to be.. with child after one encounter.'
'Well, it's not impossible.' I replied.
'No, it's definitely not impossible. I can attest to that.' Mom agreed.
'You're healthy now, so it was more likely, you silly Mom.' I said as Simon splashed me. Offended, I looked at him with an annoyed expression.
"Come play." He demanded, oblivious to my ire.
I sighed and drew a complicated circle, opening a portal. I used my communication device and the twin elves came through the portal with their Dad and Nathan. "Sienna, I will let you hug me five times if you play with Simon."
"Ooh. What happened to your arm? This place is pretty. Ooh there's a house. Wow, everyone's here, Ada!" Sienna babbled, before jumping into the water and summoning her spirit friends.
"And like a whirlwind, she's gone." Mom commented.
Alexion watched Sienna and the spirits began to play with Simon and then said, "Isn't this the Underdark? Are you trying to be captured as a slave?"
"I believe you are severely underestimating the people we have here right now." Mom said to him.
"There's always someone stronger and always a magic greater." Alexion said. "The Underdark is dangerous for numerous reasons."
"There's a slave trade on the surface, too." I said. "And a revenant."
"There.." Alexion stopped his words, frowning, "A revenant?"
"Yep. In the mountain range." I said.
He placed a hand on his forehead for a moment and said, "You're frustrating."
"Have you met Sienna?" I retorted.
"... Touché." He replied.
Snow chuckled at us. "Good to see you, Teacher. I see your children are as spritely as ever."
"Indeed they are. Filled with energy and ready to let it out." Alex said.
"I wonder if our cub will be as energetic." Snow said to Dad, looking at her son who was watching the kids.
"I'm sure he will be or else someone would have told us otherwise." Dad said.
"Did you want me to say?" I asked.
"No, if it was important you would have already told us." Dad replied.
"Alex is weird." I said.
Dad blinked once, "Agreed."
Alex looked at me, "Oh, I'm the weird one?"
"Yeah. You are." I said. "Was Sylvia busy?"
"She was in the middle of a few things and said she would join us if she had the time." Alex said.
"It was mostly conversational. I'm unaccustomed to seeing you two separate." I said, then added jokingly. "Like most kids, change is difficult for me."
"Hah." Alexion snorted at my joke.
"Well, unfortunately people have things that pull them away from each other forna while sometimes." Alex said.
'I have the papers with me, would you like to see them? I'm sure the water didn't bother them.' I asked Mom mentally, then aloud I said, "You don't want to play in the water, Nathan? I know Alexion is a stick in the mud."
'Yes, I would like to see those.' Mom agreed.
"Well, unfortunately, I may be a stick in the mud on this as well." Nathan replied.
I took out the papers and handed them to my mom with a brighter light rock. "That's ok, Nathan. It's hard to play around when you've glad to be mature. I have no such inclination, but I managed to dislocated my shoulder earlier like a lug head, so I must refrain."
"And how did you manage to do that?" Nathan asked.
"Being stupid, as per usual." I said.
"I would not say that's a usual state for you, but ok." Nathan said.
"I suppose it is usually Dena that starts that one. But you agree often." I commented.
"None of this actually explained how it happened." Nathan said.
"Simon fell off the monkey bars." I said.
"So you decided to what? Try to catch him one handed?" Nathan asked.
"I did, yeah." I nodded.
"Did you forget you were a child as well?" He asked.
"No. I just didn't consider my own risk versus a five year old falling six feet to the ground." I replied.
"Well at least as a child you'll heal really quickly." Nathan said.
"Says the ten year old." I said.
"Still older than you." He noted.
"... You aren't allowed around Dean anymore. He's starting to rub off on you." I responded.
Nathan smiled. "Alright. I'm ready to get in the water now."
"Oh.. ok." I said. I leaned against my Mom, "Hey, Gnome, d'you think you can raise some earth to use for seating?"
Gnome came away from Sienna and looked at me, "Yeah, maybe? Why?"
I said, "There are sweets in the house."
Gnome immediately smiled, "Well, if it must be done."
He immediately made the ground rise up, creating seating for the adults, then went and asked Dryad to make it comfortable. For sweets, of course. Dryad made soft grass cover the furniture. And then they both stared at me expectantly until I fetched their sweets. Which they promptly refused to share with the other spirits.
It was pretty hilarious seeing them flee with their treats as they stuffed their mouths. Mom and Snow looked amused by the display. Dad said, "That's convenient."
Alex, to the spirits said, "You know, you don't have to do everything people ask just because they offer sweets."
Undine made a rude gesture at him and went to me, "Share now."
"Hm. Can I ask for a favor later?" I asked.
Undone narrowed their eyes, then looked at Salamander. Salamander, giving up on the harassment of the other two after seeing Undine talking to me, came over and stared intently. "Yes. For the the best."
"Alright. I'll go get you some, too, then." I said, and I went and fetched their treats. It was better than refusing when it came to Undine.
The two sat near me while munching their treats before they got jealous that Gnome and Dryad had started playing with Sienna again. They finished their treats quickly and tried to get Sienna's attention more. She loved them all equally.
"They really don't seem to like you, Alex." I commented.
"It's because once upon a time I forced them to dance." Alex said.
"Oh. Have you apologized?" I asked.
"Yes. Neither Sienna nor Sylvia would have let me continue on it I had not." Alex said.
"Hm.. Hey, Undine." I called.
The spirit, annoyed came over. "What?"
"About the favor.. can you forgive Alex for being mean to you all? He's really sorry." I said.
Undine looked like she was gonna throw a fit, but she twirled around aggitatedly and said, "Fine. As a favor to the First Son, this Undine will forgive Alexander the frivolous bard."
The others, hearing that, repeated their sentiment. Much to Sienna's delight. I frowned slightly, "The First Son?"
"Yes. Of that god." Undine said, before heading back to Sienna.
"Oh, right." I said, scratching the back of my head.
"Have you found anything else out about that?" Alex asked.
"Not really, no. There is still the thought that it's Pyreleos, but it's not like I've ever seen him. I wonder which is worse, the man who gives away his wife's son, or the man who steals the identify of another to have a child." I commented, keeping my voice a little quiet so the kids weren't bothered by it. Though, Alexion was still near.
"I'm going to go with the one who gives the child away." Alex said.
".. I have to disagree. I would say it's the one who steals another's identity. That's not consensual." Snow said.
"Whereas that is true, no harm came to either party." Dad said.
"It's still a violation." Snow shrugged. "One I'd seek vengeance over. He owes her an explanation and a serious apology to her and Isarial."
"Agreed." Dad said.
"I would be fine with just an apology to my Mom. I have been of the same mind as Ma on this, that he violated my mom by assuming a guise. I'm glad she doesn't see me poorly because of it, but it would have been her right to." I said.
"My love for and opinion of you have nothing to do with what some god did." Mom said.
"Whenever I make that trip to the divine realm, I'll see about speaking to that god." I commented. I still felt off about her having another child.
"Is this place safe enough for a tune?" Alex asked.
"There are three people who can make Leodmund's Tiny Hut if necessary, so yes?" I said. "I have a deal with the Drow that makes it safe. And I know how to bypass the warping magics of this place for glyphs."
"Sounds safe enough to me, then." Alex said and sat down, beginning to play.
My Dad and Snow were cuddled up together, Snow holding Jasper so he could look around. The kids, aside from me and Alexion, were playing in the water with the spirits. And my mom was sat comfortably looking over the plans and lists I'd come up with.
After some time had passed, Sylvia came to us. I hadn't erased the glyph this time, so she'd just came right through to use all. She'd looked initially weary but after a frail smile to Alex, she greeted us all and joined the kids that were playing in the water. Which prompted Alexion to join in, too.
Alex continued to play. After thirty more minutes, Simon left the water, coming over to my Mom with a sleepy look. He'd tuckered himself put completely. He sat next to her, cuddled up and went to sleep. So I fetched a blanket to put around him since he was probably cold.
"Well, it would seem he's had quite a bit of fun." Mom said.
"He'll wake up fast enough and be fully energized again." I noted.
"Oh, probably." Mom agreed.
I noticed that Snow seemed to be napping, too, while feeding Jasper. It was a probably around four-ish. "I should bring Haril. He's about done with his shift for the day, unless there's trouble."
"Alright. It would be nice to see him down here." Mom said.
I nodded, getting up and going over to my Dad. Quietly I said, "I'll be right back. I'm gonna fetch Haril since his brat is asleep."
"Alright. We'll try to keep this place intact until you're back." He said, equally quiet.
"If anything happens, take Ma and Jasper into the house, go into the back room and lock it to the right." I told him.
"What happens if I try to lock it to the left?" He asked.
"It won't have any effect. I was taught to have fail safes, not just by Dean, but by you, too." I said.
"Alright. Lock to the right. Got it." Dad confirmed.
He didn't question my exclusion of anyone else, which was fine by me. To save some time, I used a glyph to reach Hearthstone, then hunted for Haril. It was as easy as ever to find him. "All done for the day?" I asked.
"Yes. All done for the day. Where is everyone?" He asked.
"I'll get to that. Let's go to your house first." I said. "If I was older, I'd really hurt you, you know?"
"Hurt me? Talk like that and I regret retiring the belt. My employer or not." Haril said.
"I have a right to be upset, Mr. Partly-Single Father who knocks up someone's mom." I grouched.
"Ah." He said. "Alright, I may accept that then."
We walked over towards his house in awkward silence. I stopped him from going inside, leading him telling him to follow me. "You like her, right?"
"I'd say that's fairly obvious. But for the direct approach.. Yes. I do." Haril said.
"May I pry and ask about your plans?" I asked. I wasn't being very confident about this, my head was down and I wasn't making eye contact.
He coughed into his hand a couple of times. "I.. um.. actually intend on asking her to marry me.. if she will."
We were both uncomfortable at least. "Oh." I said. I looked up at him, "Thank you for making her happy. She and Simon wanted me to show you a secret about this place. I guess if you're gonna be like family, I won't need to threaten you about it's secrecy."
"Well, thank you for not doing any threatening." He said.
I rolled my eyes, and went through the process of opening the wall and leading him down. "You're so funny." I said sarcastically. "There are only a handful of a people who know about this area. The rest are under severe threat."
"What in the world is back here?" He asked.
I told him the information about the dungeon that was attached to it, as well as the tunnels I was having built. Briefly showed him Eluvian's workshop, and continued down to the waterfall, where everyone still was getting along. I warned him about the Aboleth, describing it to him, before we reached the others, lighting our way down with the rocks. Mom waved at him with a smile, then pointed at her side where Haril's son still slept.
"Simon played a lot." I said.
"Oh, he'll be running around again once his nap is over." Haril said.
"Most people can't get down here without me, so you needn't worry about Simon coming down here." I said, walking towards my Mom.
"That would be good if there is such a creature as you said earlier." Haril commented.
"I only threatened to threaten him." I informed my mom, before walking towards Dad and Snow.
"Indeed. He was quite polite about his threatening to threaten." Haril said.
"Oh. He mentioned about belting me, Mom." I said, looking over my shoulder at her.
"Oh, did he?" Mom asked, looking at him sharply.
"It was a threat of a threat." Haril explained.
"It was because I said I'd hurt him if I was older." I informed her, climbing onto Dad's lap.
"Then let's all be glad you're not." Mom said.
"Oh. I coulda asked Uncle to hit him." I said, "Oh well. I'll let it go."
"Well, look at you being the bigger person." Dad commented.
"He should just be happy I won't tamper with his pay or bonuses." I said, then blinked. I pointed at Haril, frowning. "You haven't submitted your vacation days. It's mandatory and paid. So there is no point in not taking it."
"I have no idea how or what to do with them." Haril said.
"Then I'll choose for you." I said.
"Eh, fine." He grumped.
"Simon doesn't like the extreme weather areas. Hm. Then, how about two weeks in June on an Island?" I asked.
"So I can't even be in the town when I'm on this vacation?" He asked.
"No. You can't, because you'll work. It's fine, I'll have a house built on the Island, you can go fishing and Simon can collect sea shells and shark teeth. And it doesn't take a boat to get there. It's up to you and Mom if she'll go with you or not." I said.
"Alright, we'll- I'll look into it." He said disgruntled.
I leaned back against my Dad and said, "I'm glad you're enjoying your new position and living arrangements, but time for yourself is also important."
"I'll give it a shot." He said, disgruntled.
We all stayed long enough for Simon and Snow to wake and for the kids to have enough of the water before we were all going to go home. I spent the next few days studying with Alex's kids and staying home before I had something that would require me to go out by myself.
Without much choice, I called for Plight to do so. I explained to him about my mother being pregnant and what all I'd been doing recently and asked him about how he's been. I managed to complete my task before going home, which released Plight from looking after me.
Then I went to my Dad with my frustrations, "I've run out of people to escort me. Is it necessary for small tasks still?"
"You have a habit of mixing your tasks, Son." Dad said, patiently.
"I don't have anyone who can take me to do anything as reliably anymore." I said.
"Then may I suggest, again by the way, that you pick someone in long standing from the company." Dad said.
Without many choices left, I sighed a little and said, ".. Do you have a recommendation?"
He took out a stack of papers with various people and their skills. "This should tell you everything you need to know about them."
I sat and began going through them. A few I recognized due to my previous life. There was one that was caught my attention. "A dumb person..?" I tilted my head a little.
"In the sense of being mute, yes." Dad commented.
"I suppose that is the more polite term.." I said. This person had been a wizard, but then trained as a rogue. "Does this one use any language?"
"They are trained in multiple languages and use illusory script. They are skilled in multiple fields. I believe they'd make an excellent guard." Dad said.
"Then they haven't learned to speak with their hands alone? It's not common on this continent anyways." I replied.
"They know signals." Dad said.
"I see." I said. "You've gotten awfully over protective, you know that?"
"You give me plenty of reason to be. Seems you can't stay out of trouble for more than a week." Dad said.
"I've been safe and careful." I protested, looking at him.
"Of recent days, yes." Dad agreed.
I puffed out my cheeks at him and said, "You're just picking a fight."
"Are you being goaded into one?" He asked, sounding patient.
"Hmph. No." I said.
"Good." Dad replied.
I sorted through the papers again and said, "As far as what I do get up to lately, I think a caster wouldn't be bad. I would be slightly less limited on what I can do with their rogue skills."
"Sounds like it's settled then. I can have them in by tomorrow for a meeting." Dad said.
"They should have the option to not have to babysit." I said. "I don't want to be a chore."
"I said a meeting." He chuckled. "Consider it an introduction if nothing else."
"Alright. I just wanted to be clear, I do recall you being rather strict with assignments." I said. "As a back up I wouldn't mind Carsein. However, I would butt heads with Shirok. He and I have never seen things eye to eye."
"Hmm.. he may be the best choice then." Dad said.
"Hells no. I'll stab him.. again." I said. "If you want someone to keep me in check, I would suggest Daphne, though she isn't listed here. She's capable and has a different moral set than I do."
"I think that would just get in your way." Dad said.
"Very much so. Like my mom or Plight being with me." I said. "For a vampire, Plight's morals err on the side of self detriment so long as people are ok. And if something seems remotely dangerous, Mom will get me to stop."
"Precisely, so maybe picking someone like minded is a little better." Dad said.
"Generally I don't mind since your people for the most part won't waste the time to argue with me and will just do their job. The few exceptions were highly frustrating." I said.
"This is why I give certain people certain jobs. Not everyone is fit for the same kind of business." Dad said.
I nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I've learned a lot from you."
"That is the goal of a father isn't it? There are probably some things I shouldn't have taught you, but.. you don't have to apply everything I ever taught you." Dad said.
I chuckled but didn't gave a comment for that. I spent a while in his office, before lunch. After lunch I spent time with Snow and Jasper. It was pretty relaxing, really. Lazy days were fine, too. The next day, I was informed on the time for the 'meetings' and goofed off before attending.
The meetings went well. Joshua the Silent looked openly amused at the possibility of the assignment. I used thief hand signs to inform him he could turn down the job without any hassle. He responded in kind that he had no intention of passing up this chance for amusement. I warned him that I would be up to very dangerous things. He asked if I solemnly swear it.
So I told him there are things I can't do while being coddled, and I intend to get them done. He informed me his job would be to keep me alive, and that was all. I pointed out his job was also to report to the Lion. He agreed. But said his reports aren't accurate. I looked surprised.
Then I spoke in his head, 'You choose to not accurately report?'
'Seems your father doesn't accurately report either.' He replied.
'It's need to know only. Majority of the Lucky Stone people do not know of this ability. I suspect you won't speak of it.' I said.
He grinned broadly and raised his middle finger at me, which made me burst into laughter. The meeting was concluded and the next person came a few minutes later. Carsein. He was a strictly business type of guy. Just as I'd said, he'd be a fine back up.
The opinions of the two, keep safe, versus keep alive were satisfactory. It meant that Joshua had an edge I could use over Carsien who'd see it as keeping me from harm. With a decision reached, they were informed the results. I'd reach them via a device if I need them. Which I wouldn't for a day or two.
The next day, my Mom came to confront me while I was busy drawing out plans for Haril's vacation home. Snow had meddled and told her about my insecurities surrounding her carrying a new baby. She told me that no matter what, I was still her son, and I needn't fear I'll be replaced in her heart.
She'd even gone as far as to say that she had less reason to replace me than my dad had. I was her baby, and even if she had more babies, I'd still be her baby. I accepted her word on this, and did my best to hold it close. Still, Mom showed me the nursery set up that they chose.
It was very functional, but also cutesy. I figured it would be a nice compromise for their conflicting personalities. So I showed her the plans I was working on for Haril's Island vacation home. From my own research, which was mainly conducted through quizzing Phintias, I had learned of a small, yet to be inhabited, Island.
Twice a day, for nearly two hours, the island was covered in six feet of water. So I made the house plans with that in mind. The island was dry within an hour of the tide pulling the water off it. Only, it had to be storm proofed, because typhoons could destroy the house otherwise. I explained this to my Mother.
"I swear sometimes you take on these challenges of construction just to prove you can." Mom commented.
"I only put thought into things I care about." I said.
"Well, I'm glad you care about our safety so much." Mom said.
"So you will be going on vacation with Haril and Simon?" I asked cheekily.
"I'm not sure yet, but probably. Not much of one for relaxing by the beach." Mom said.
"The only trouble with the Island is that there is no way to grow any food on it, except small planters, which are only suited for herbs." I sighed. "But there are a variety of fish. And I am concerned with the possibility of a strong storm. I haven't quite figured out how to keep it safe from typhoons, tsunami, or other weather issues that far out at sea."
"I'm sure you'll have it figured out before anything serious happens." Mom said gently.
"I'd like it to maintain it's comfortable look, without it being steel.." My voice trailed off. "I don't think that's feasible."
"I don't know what that means, but I'm sure you'll have it under control." Mom said.
I gave my Mom a hug, deciding to take a break from my problem and spend time with my mom instead. Later after Mom returned to Haril, and it was dinner time, I'd begun mulling over the issue again. That's when the idea came to my mind. The forge I'd been having made was pretty close to completed..
"Dad, do you think it would be fine to cover the outside of a house with glass?" I asked.
"Technically, yes. But it's not exactly a durable material." Dad said.
"I think it'll be fine." I said.
"What are you planning to do precisely with a glass exterior house?" Dad asked.
"Well, it's gonna be a glass coated house for Haril to use on vacations." I said. "It's a good idea."
"I'm sure it is, I'm just trying to understand it.. why does it need to have glass around it?" Dad asked.
"That's because I want to keep it protected from bad weather at sea." I explained.
"I've never heard of glass to protect against such things, but, I know your mind.. so I am sure you've thought it through." Dad said.
"Yep. I'm gonna ask Cassae to make it into glassteel. Which means I have to go meet her." I said.
"Now, you could lead with it pretty easily that you'd make it into glassteel." Dad said.
I said, "Well, I couldn't figure out how to make it safe, because nothing was suitable. This is really the only thing I can think of."
"It should suffice." Dad said.
I agreed. After dinner, I contacted Joshua, letting him know I'd need him tomorrow after ten. He acknowledged it, and met up with me at the correct time the next day. I'd drawn what I needed to thus far, to show to Cassae.