Looking at Joshua, I said, "Do you want me to tell you what we're up to today?"
He grinned, bowed slightly, pressed his fingers to his lips briefly, then did a flourish, meaning 'go on'.
"We're going to the divine realm to meet a lady. And hopefully we'll bring her back with us." I told him.
He wrote, 'Oh, yeah. Holy birds.'
I mind linked to him. "More like a myth, even by elf standards."
'Oh? Well, darn I was going to see about getting some feathers.' He said.
"She has some feathers, but I think they reserve them for their lovers and children." I said.
'I didn't say I'd ask, but I will refrain if you're needing this elf's help.' Joshua said.
We headed out of the estate, my goal being the warehouse I'd purchased for my portal to Hearthstone. I'd make a temporary one in there. "I don't technically need her help. I want her to meet my friend Tilton, and to work my forge. To craft and create without being regulated."
'But you want something from her, yes?' Joshua asked.
"I guess so. But I'll pay her for it." I said.
'Well, you guessing so doesn't change the fact that if I take them she probably won't want to help you.' Joshua pointed out.
Having reached the warehouse, we went to a private room and I started drawing the glyph. "You could ask, probably. What do you want feathers for?"
He sighed. 'It's called a joke, sir. And like the birds above I'll refrain from them if they are going 5o soar above your head.'
"Well, that's rude. Have you considered you may not be good at joking?" I asked.
'My jokes may plummet with the lofty elite but they always land with the rebel.' Joshua said.
"Well, we'll just have to let you tell jokes with Dean and see if it's funny or not." I said. "Especially since you obey the lofty elite."
He bowed. 'As you command, sir.'
"Must you with the sir? My father may be your boss, but you're my body guard. That means there are times when I have to listen to you. In addition to that, I am a kid and you aren't my employee or citizen." I said.
'No, but it seems to perturb you so it is funny. Maybe not to you, but to me, sometimes the jokes only have to land with the self.' Joshua said, amused.
"Picking on kids is what you like, huh?" I asked.
'Is it that or is there just no adults worth talking to at the moment?' Joshua responded.
I blinked pausing and looking up at him. "I suppose it would be difficult for you to joke around, wouldn't it? I hadn't thought of that."
'Yes, well, it may be that my jokes were a little bit off. It has been a while since I've been able to give any emphasis to my words.' Joshua said.
"You've chosen to remain mute, though, haven't you? Or is it a deal you've made with some greater being?" I asked.
'Nothing as fancy as that. Simply a punishment I feel I still owe.' Joshua said.
"Having a conscience is a burden I wish on no one, and half wish I could escape." I said.
'Thoughts like that are what lead to not so great kings.' He said.
I returned to working on the glyph. It was complicated, really. "Well, I don't know if I want to be a king. Though I've considered it out of spite."
'A spiteful king that wishes to not have a conscience. Yes, I'm sure that'll go swimmingly.' Joshua said.
"A king made an enemy of me. I want to rebuild his kingdom, make it safer and unite the other continent." I said. "My policies could benefit the people."
'I am no leader ,Your Highness. I know not the policies of kings.' Joshua responded.
"Well, you've seen Hearthstone, I'm sure. A kingdom would just be that on a grander scale. I could probably marry the kings daughter to make it easier to claim the land. Though I'd rather she get to know my friend Nathan." I rambled.
'It is true that a kingdom is just a city on a grander scale. But you'll need citizens and an army.' Joshua pointed out.
"I know. My plan is to rebuild everything and get crops going, bring in farm animals and such. People will gravitate to the area again. Mercenaries would be fine starts, though usually disloyal. But if I invite the right people to live there again I'll gain soldiers that way. In addition to that, there are people who hate to be away from their homeland and will come back during building." I explained. "For the right pay and taxes, people will stay. I would just need to keep the other kings of the land in line. Though that sounds annoying. Maybe I won't do this after all."
'That's a good moto. Give up before you try. Can't fault that way, or get bored trying.' Joshua said.
"I'm not capable of doing it yet, either way." I said.
'Eh, you could do it through a proxy.' He said.
"Nah. I want him to know it's me every step."I said.
I finished the glyph and noted we would need winter clothes. So we headed and grabbed some before returning, activating the portal and stepping through. The wind was vicious, threatening to bowl my small body over. I knocked back against Joshua's knees with the next gust.
"'Hold on,'" An elf woman said, coming out of a building.
I could barely see her while she quieted the winds and settled the raging blizzard. Once the winds settled, I saw Cassae. It made sense since I'd wanted to be as close to her home as possible. I would have thought she'd be at the forge, though. She looked us over for a moment.
"'Why have you come, flightless ones?'" She directed it at Joshua.
I answered, "'We came to speak with a woman named Cassae.'"
Confusion crossed her face briefly. "'Why is it that you seek Cassae?'"
"'I wish to give her a forge to call her own, as to not be hindered in creativity and grow her skills.'" I replied.
"'That... what?'" She said, showing confusion.
I began to respond to that when everything seemed to freeze. The wind stopped, she shuffling feet stopped, and when I looked at Joshua, he was also frozen. I took a deep breath. Readying myself.
"Alright, who is doing this?" I wanted to know. "Return things to how they were."
The person ignored my command. Materializing before me, was a tall slender man. He had long black hair and sharp, pale blue eyes. He was so handsome, even to me. He bore earrings with a familiar symbol on them, and once he looked down at me, he smiled in a gentle way, crouching down before me.
"Hello, Isarial. My boy." He frowned slightly. "You have been through a lot."
I shuffled my feet in the snow uncomfortably. "I suppose.."
"I had always intended to reveal myself to you when you turned ten. I don't know what stopped me." The man said. "You've seen and gone through some terrible things, but still you do good works."
I took a deep breath, "Then you are.. Pyreleos?"
"That is what the mortals call me." He agreed.
"What method did you use to keep track of me?" I asked.
"Well, the intention was to check on your mother, but that never led me to you." He said.
"It wouldn't have. Her ex husband sold me to pay off his debt. Mother went to the Arena to try to die, slowly becoming lost in her rage and sorrow at the lie that I was dead." I explained.
"Indeed. I could not use her memories to find you." He said.
"James Hearthry is my Dad." I said.
"He is your mortal realm Father, yes. I will not fight that." He said.
"Plight is a good man, and you owe my Mother an apology." I said.
"Why do you bring up Plight?" He asked.
"Because he is a good and gentle person. A much kinder soul than I ever pretended to be." I said.
"I do not understand why you are telling me this. I see him in your memories, he is a kind soul." Pyreleos said.
"You don't answer him." I said. "I suppose you don't have to, but he holds a lot of guilt over his nature and what happened to your late follower."
"My boy, you understand that undead and holy powers do not go well together, correct?" He asked.
"What is the difference between holy powers and the undead gods?" I asked.
"A very different set of laws that grant us our powers. If I were to answer him or reveal myself to him, he would die." Pyreleos said.
"I see. Then can you tell me about the follower he has so much guilt over?" I asked.
"He was a cleric who had fallen on hard times. Originally a cobbler before he turned to worship of me. His problem.. is he would make bets on how well he could heal through my power. So I stopped answering." Pyreleos said.
"Were you angry with Plight?" I asked.
"I was never angry with Plight." Pyreleos said. "I was caught in my own laws. It was merciful to let him feed, to regain his sanity.. but I had to let my cleric suffer until it was merciful to let him die."
"That does sound tough.. then why did you use my mother like that?" I asked.
"Because like the finest blade, you needed to be forged in the right fire." He answered.
"Why?" I asked.
"I believe the results speak for themselves. Looks at what you've accomplished in such a short time. You have set such grand things in motion." Pyreleos said, a look of pride entering his eyes.
"Why are you answering me?" I asked.
"I have nothing to gain or lose by answering your questions." He said, amused.
"If your plan was to see me when I turned ten, why now? Just because I came to the divine realm?" I asked.
"Well, yes and no." He said. "It was because you came here and I could sense you are not what you are supposed to be at this point in life."
"I don't understand what that means." I said.
"Simply put, your mind was far more developed than it should be at this point." Pyreleos said.
"True. I managed to retain my mind and memories despite being brought back to this reality at a much earlier time." I said. "Is that a problem? Or were you curious?"
"Curiosity was the main component. I was hoping something hadn't.. disrupted your mind." Pyreleos said.
"Were you concerned it pertained to Aegaeon?" I asked. "Alexion said you both are enemies."
"We certainly do not see eye to eye." He agreed.
I grinned, remembering my goal in the area, "So, if I built a house on an island in the sea and coated it in glass, that was made into Glassteel... How would that god like that?"
"Why, I believe he would take it as a challenge once he took note of it. There is no telling when that would be." Pyreleos said.
"Unfortunately for him, that just makes me like my plan more. It's not really a liveable island, but since you've seen my memories, you know where I'm talking about, don't you?" I asked.
"Indeed I do. I believe it's a fine plan." Pyreleos said. "If you wish, I could talk to a couple of.. let's call them people, to expand and help that island flourish."
"But why would you?" I asked, confused by the offer.
"Well, as you said.. it does become more attractive to know it would irritate him." Pyreleos said.
I started thinking it over. "Now that could be an interesting idea. What do you think? If the island was expanded by just over three times it's current size I could justify having people trained to gather pearls and underwater mining. Such a thing could fund the rebuilding of a kingdom quite well."
"I actually happen to have it on good authority that there are quite a few pearls in that area." Pyreleos said.
"Then if that's done it is likely once buildings are built on it that it can become a port for safe harbor from storms at sea. Whereas I'm not religious, I could be talked into your symbol being added in the protective glassteel..." I said.
"I feel you may want to do that to continue adding insult to injury in this endeavor.. but if that is the purpose, then I am still fine with it." Pyreleos said.
".. You will apologize to my mother, right? She suffered a lot the few years." I said.
"I can speak with her. Her suffering was never intentional. Unfortunately not all gods can see the outcomes to the future." Pyreleos said.
"Thank you." I said. I meant it.
"Did you have any other questions?" He asked.
"I probably do, but it's just surprising that you fathered me." I said.
He smiled again and said, "Alright. If you have no other questions, I will go and let you get back to your business. It was good to finally meet you."
I nodded and said, "It was good meeting you."
He vanished and time resumed. I looked at my body guard. "I should tell my Dad you failed."
'Dangerous words young majesty, if you wish my beheading there are easier ways.' He wrote.
"My father came to say hello. You were quite helpless." I sighed.
'Only one of your dads I know can reach this place, and I doubt he has a reason to do so.' He wrote.
I re-established the mind link to him, while Cassae watched us. "James is my dad. A god called Pyreleos is my father."
'You would make a poor orphan boy jealous, you know that?' Joshua said.
"'You're Pyreleos' son? I wasn't aware that god had children.'" Cassae commented.
I looked at her. "'Yes, he just confirmed it... I resemble him.."
'Hmph. Nosy one isn't she? To be fair, I suppose we are having a one sided conversation in front of her.' Joshua said.
I took a deep breath and said, "'Anyways. As I said, I'd like you, Cassae er Ara, to come and run my forge. I've set up almost everything you could need to do your smiting in the mortal planes. Plus, wouldn't it be nice to not be held back just because you aren't a son?'"
She blinked, "'I think it would be good for you.to come inside. The things you are asking.. I am not technically an adult.'"
"'I know. You will be an adult in twelve years.'" I agreed. "'We can go inside.'"
She nodded and went to her house, opening the door. With some difficulty, I followed. The snow was quite deep. We must have been on a path before, as it hadn't been waist deep before. Maybe calf length. I looked at Joshua, who was following, per his duty.
"That god read my memories." I told him.
'Well, that just sounds like cheating. Did he at least ask for permission. Heh. Who am I kidding?' Joshua said.
"Of course he didn't." I said. "I asked him to apologize to my mother for tricking her."
'Leave it to the little Majesty to ask someone to apologize to their mother. Even a god.' He said, greatly amused.
We were inside now, "Well, he said he'd talk to her."
'I mean, really that's probably the best you could ask for when speaking to a god.' Joshua commented.
"I'm gonna help him spite his enemy just because it amuses me to do so." I said.
'Well if that's the only reason, then I say go for it. Wait. The enemy of a God. Are you going to spite a God? Fun.' Joshua said.
I nodded and said, "Yeah. I can only assume he wanted to spread his influence which is why he chose my destitute mother to 'forge' me in the 'right fire'." I frowned slightly. "Anyways, if he's going to ask for the island to be expanded, I can certainly help further irritate a god."
Cassae had fetched her parents, and they'd come back. Joshua seemed to sigh at my words. He parents looked the both of us over, and her father scoffed. "'What could a land bound creature know of glassmithing. Why don't you return home.'"
"'I am Isarial Hearthry, and I know your daughter is a fine glassmith. That her works are beautiful and that she is already beyond an apprentice level, you're just holding out hope that your wife and you will have that son, soon. In eight years, he will be born. Though, that'll also be when the dragon's breach the divine realms coming after you all.'" I explained.
"'And so we are meant to believe you?'" Her father said.
I yawned, bored, and glad I was fluent in Elvish "'Well, I can't lie. A trait my teachers said proves my Fey heritage.'"
"'You are Fey.'" He said incredulously.
"'His father is Pyreleos, the Merciful Flame. Lord of Mercy and Flame.'" Cassae informed her parents.
His wife reacted, grabbing his arm lightly, "'If that is true, we can not offend the child. We must not. It was only by the grace of the gods that our people managed to escape to the divine realms away from extinction.'"
"'I am aware, but what proof does this child bear?'" He asked her.
"'You asked for it.'" I said, ominously. I unlinked my mind form Joshua and mind linked to Cassae's father. I showed him my memories of meeting Lael and Cassae. Her work being used by all sorts of people, her telling her tale of how she'd lost her family except Lael. Of her failed marriage.
He took a deep breath, "'I don't think I understand..'"
"'My consciousness extended to the future, I am five now, and that was my seventeen year old self's memories from a five year time hop.'" I explained.
"'Then I must speak with the Elders.'" Her father said.
"'That is fine. But Ara needs to make the decision on if she'll become a Glassmith in the Material Plane or not.'" I said.
"'Is there no way to stay the decision?'" Her mother asked.
"'I would like to obtain her as my glassmith. But there is another I know of who can do it.'" I said. Weaseling my words so that I was telling the truth while putting emphasis on closing the matter quickly. "She will be provided for, housing and food, along with any materials she wished to use.. or anything she may like to study.'"
They seemed a little anxious, but her father said, "'Ultimately, it is your decision Ara. I don't think you are a master yet, but you are an accomplished apprentice.'"
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from saying anything. It annoyed me to hear her father downplay how skilled she is. "'I am glad we can agree that it is her decision.'"
"'I am promised to Varis, how shall this decision impact that?'" She asked reasonably.
"'That is between your families. If he would be happy coming with you, then fine. It is not a good bye from your family. In fact, I'll check on them in a week and see if the Avarial will move or not.'" I said. "' I can assist with such efforts easily.'"
"'What would you have me make?'" Cassae asked.
"'Anything you desire to, should it be jewelry, weapons, eating or drinking materials, armor or art.'" I said. "'You'll be offered commissions, and those you'll be expected to fill.'" I shrugged, seeing a slight gleam of excitement in her eyes.
"'If I accept, could I not change my mind later?'" She asked.
"'Of course.'" I nodded.
"'Then I would like to accept.'" Cassae said.
Since it didn't sound final, I asked, "'Would like to?'"
"'Yes. I should see the work space first, can that be accomplished?'" Cassae asked.
I nodded. "'Yes.'"
"'And then I can come back?'" Cassae asked.
"'If you wish to.'" I agreed.
"'Very well, I will prepare a small bag to go on an inspection.'" She decided.
"'I'll wait, then. Outside at the portal with Joshua.'" I said, turning and leaving the house with Joshua. Her father also left, having no words for his daughter, heading to speak with the Elders. I mind linked to Joshua again.
'Well, that seems to have gone well.' Joshua commented.
"It's hard for me to leave it as a choice. I prefer 'Do as I say, or I'll kill you.' But I understand that doesn't give me allies." I sighed.
'No, that gives you very angry and back stabby servants.' Joshua said.
"I've only been backstabbed by those I nearly considered to be friends." I said.
'That's very poor choice of friends apparently.' Joshua said.
I shrugged, "I don't need to be concerned with you doing so. You're my Dad's employee."
'And what? That makes me automatically safe? I suppose you're right. He does pay quite well.' Joshua said.
"It makes you someone who I know will have my back, should it be necessary. We both know what happens if you screw James Hearthry over.. and it's never pretty." I said.
'Hm. Indeed, it is never pretty.' He said.
"I wonder why I never worked with you previously." I commented. "I worked with Carsein. He is annoying. But a good worker. Oh well." I scooped some snow into my hands, packing it into a ball.
'You probably never worked with me because let's say.. I was taking care of other problems your father has-had. Definitely past tenths ' Joshua said.
"Maybe it's because Dad didn't want anyone to know about my psionics." I said.
'It is possible that's what he was trying to do. I dunno. I don't talk to him like that ' He said.
I shrugged. "I don't really understand him much. He's a smart, but very foolish man. He thinks he's right no matter what until he's smacked with his failure."
'And I'm smart enough to never repeat such words. Ever.' Joshua said.
I chuckled. And began waiting patiently for Cassae to come out. After around ten more minutes, she did. Appearing empty handed. I activated the portal, taking us back to my warehouse. Then I made a new glyph that would take us to Dueling Rivers. Once we were there, I used the communication device to let Plight know I needed to speak with him, and then to let Tilton know that his town was going to have a shocking guest.
"You're town may be a little noisy." I told Tilton, without greeting him.
"Rude." Tilton responded flatly.
"Just warning you. I brought the Glassteel crafter." I said. Ending the communication. Just to be extra rude.
I looked at Joshua. "I may have angered the mayor here."
'Well, aren't you the busy boy?' Joshua commented.
"If I wasn't you'd be somewhere else." I pointed out. "'Would you like a tour of the town, Cas- Ara? Or would you like to go directly to the forge?'"
"'Definitely both.'" She said, lifting her wings slightly as to not drag them.
I smiled. "'Alright. How about tour of town, and then the forge?'"
"'Yes, that's fine. It's so warm here.'" She said.
I took off my coat, "'Yeah, for you.'"
I began the tour, showing her around to interesting places and introducing her to important people. As I was heading towards the square with her, after showing her Tibon's and the guild, Tilton arrived. He approached cautiously.
Looking at her, Tilton said, "Welcome to Dueling Rivers." Then he looked at me, "What have you done?"
"'Anyways,'" I said, continuing in Elvish, "'This is Tilton, the Mayor of this fine town. Tilton, this is C- I mean Ara, a fine glassmith that I told you about a year ago.'"
"'Good to meet you, Mayor Tilton.'" Cassae said politely.
"'It is good to meet you, Ara, I.. hope you had a pleasant experience with the boy. He seems to have two ways of handling things. Pleasantly or rudely.'" Tilton said.
"'He has been fine. He is going to show me the forge I am meant to use.'" Cassae smiled.
"'Well, then, let's go take a look.'" Tilton said.
"'Incidentally, Ara, Tilton has the ability to craft Glassteel. He just doesn't know how to.'" I said.
"'Can he? How is that?'" Cassae asked.
"'I dunno. I just know in the future you taught him and he was capable of the transmutation.'" I said.
"'Wow, I didn't know anyone who wasn't Avarial could. How amazing!'" She looked at Tilton, impressed.
He cleared his throat. "'Yes, it is not something I have tried to do, but instead have just been told I can.'"
"'Then it's just a matter of learning, isn't it?'" Cassae asked him.
"'I suppose so. You seem like an.. excellent teacher.'" Tilton said.
Her face turned pink. "'I could certainly attempt teaching you.'"
I didn't say anything, just continued leading them to the forge. 'You'd think he often flirts with women.' I commented mentally to Joshua.
'I could see him flirting with a few people. But that comment makes me think he doesn't.' Joshua said.
'Tilton is a rude jerk who hates rude jerks.' I informed him. The sides of the outer forge had walls around it, with half a roof added. I opened the extra wide door, and said, "'If you'd like to enter..'"
She went inside, followed by Tilton then myself and Joshua. She looked around, checked the materials I'd obtained, noting that she could open her wings in the building. She checked the forge and kiln, noting that the kiln wasn't completely finished being built.
She noticed the glass blowers tools along with all the other glass crafting necessities. After thoroughly inspecting all of it, she looked at me, "'This is set up as if by an expert.'"
"'I have many experts available to me, but in this case, it was the future you that told me what you'd need. And so I've done things how you'd like them to be. This is part of Balnur's building, and he'll be in charge of your weapon and armor sales. He'll provide you the steel for your crafts, if you'd like.'" I said. "'As for anything else you'd make, Tibon is more than willing to sell them, or you can have Hearthstone Town, a local city, sell them for you. Aside from a commission fee, you'd make plenty of money and not be reliant on anyone.'"
"'Tibon does seem as though he sells quite a few different things...'" she said, her voice trailing off. "'I think you've done too much for me. I do not understand it.'"
"'I did this for my own interest. Helping you succeed will help my city succeed. I had Hearthstone built, much like I had this forge built. If you feel burdened, know that teaching Tilton to craft Glassteel and dealing with Hearthstone is enough to pay me back for a simple forge.'" I said.
"'This is not a simple forge.'" Cassae argued. "'But I do like it quite a bit. What is the purpose to the half ceiling'"
"'You are claustrophobic. It is so you do not feel trapped.'" I said.
"'Did you lie about know another who could glassmith?'" She asked.
"'No. I did say I knew another who could. But left out that one hadn't been born yet and the other doesn't know how.'" I said.
Joshua smiled and wrote out. 'Half truths implemented expertly, my Fey Liege.'
"'Very sneaky. Do you not think telling me could change my mind?'" Cassae asked.
"'It could. But you asked, and I have a tendency to tell the truth.'" I told her.
"I must go and speak with Balnur for a moment." Tilton said, excusing himself.
She seemed to be thinking it over. I let her do so. I had no need to pressure her when she had everything she wanted right here. The only real issue was that her fiancé wouldn't agree to this. Not that she wanted to marry him. It was simply her duty. One decided by her parents without hers or her fiance's opinions being taken into consideration.
A few minutes passed without her saying anything, then she used wind to lift herself through the open ceiling and flew up a ways. She took her time looking around, before coming back down. She gracefully stood upon the wall, and looked down at us. Tilton had returned by the time she'd started back down.
"Was everything in order?" I asked Tilton sarcastically.
"I believe you know well the answer to that." Tilton responded. "Everything was well in order."
"I like Balnur and Kaz. I may not see eye to eye with them, but I take care of people I like. That means I make conditions favorable to them, so long as I also get my way." I explained to him.
"Quite the balancing act." Tilton said.
"Balnur just wants to meet her and see her artistry." I said. If I was an adult, I'd reach up to invite her back in. It wasn't my place anyways, in the future she was Tilton's lover.
She hopped down on her own. "It is beautiful in this area. Quite unlike my home in that it is full of colors. I think I should like to run this smithy."
"From what I hear, I am sure you'll make many a fine piece." Tilton told her.
"You have some of your work, don't you?" I asked her.
"I did bring some." She said, activating her ring and bringing out some fine daggers and some arrowheads. All glassteel.
Tilton leaned forward slightly, "May I?"
"You may." She nodded, allowing him to select what he'd like to see.