'What was that explosion I heard?' Uncle asked.
I realized at this moment that I was essentially keeping my promise to my Uncle. When he'd learned I'd fought dragonS, he'd been disappointed I'd not brought him along, so I had jokingly promised to take him next time. 'I was finishing off the chomped vampire.' I told him. 'I just remembered I'd promised to take you with me the next time I faced dragons. Does this count?'
'Sure?' He answered. 'I don't remember this conversation, so I'm gonna say sure.'
'It was before my return.' I said.
'Ah. So you had a promise with future me. I'm gonna still say it counts.' Uncle said.
Unlike before, I wondered to the where the dragon had slept to have a look around. Around the large raised area, half way around to the right, I found a pair of daggers. One one hilt was a waning moon, the other a waxing one. The blade had a slight curve to it, rather than the straightness of a normal one.
I shrugged and added them to my bag. To be frank, my shoulder and arm were radiating pain in a manner that was beginning to alarm me. But it was probably just because I wasn't really resting. It took around ten minutes,but Uncle came upstairs and joined me.
"Alright. What have we found up here?" Uncle asked.
"A pair of daggers." I told him, and showed them to him.
"Eh, definitely not my size. Have at them." Uncle said.
I said, "Ready for the red one?"
He checked over his gear, "Yeah, I think I am."
So we headed up to the next floor. I thought about it and realized Uncle wasn't bothering to harvest the dragon's. I probably should have figured that'd be the case. So while Uncle engaged in a fight with the red dragon, I contacted Ashtar.
"Hey, my Uncle is killing some dragon's, would you please harvest them? I have a broken arm." I told her.
"Uh, sure, Isarial. I am not really doing anything. Wait. Did you say broken arm?" Ashtar asked.
"Yeah, I got kidnapped and my arm and shoulder were broken in the process." I explained.
"Dang, kid. So where do I need to go?" Ashtar asked.
"I'll make a portal for you to come here." I said. "Where are you?"
"Oh, I'm at home." Ashtar said. "Just cleaning."
"I'll make the portal, then." I said, and began doing so.
"I'll grab my things." Ashtar said.
I ended the conversation and finished up the glyph, activating it. She came through, and immediately saw Uncle fighting the red one. I told her where the two others were. She said she'd be back up in a flash, though I pointed out the other set of stairs expecting us to have moved on by then.
Once Uncle had killed the red dragon, he said he'd take a break to check his gear over. And such. Ashtar came back up by that point and asked, "Are you boys alright?"
"Eh, fine, fine. Few scratches, couple of dings here and there. I'll be working that out." Uncle told her.
"Good, good.. How're the breaks fairing you?" Ashtar asked me.
"It's fine." I said.
"They bring him pain, though he hides it well." Uncle said.
My face turned a little red. Embarrassed at how perceptive Uncle was towards me. Ashtar said, "I kinda thought so, his eyes are a little dull."
"We'll have this little excursion wrapped up soon enough, then he's going to bed." Uncle said.
"A fine idea. I brought some tea that may alleviate some of the pain." Ashtar said, taking a cup and travel teaset out of her pack. "Would you like some tea, big guy?"
Uncle laughed. "Tea in a dragon's den. Why not."
Ashtar began brewing us some tea and asked, "Are you boys hungry? I brought some snacks."
"Well, that sounds fantastic. All I brought was trail rations. They aren't great." Uncle said.
Ashtar grinned and took some more stuff out. The snacks weren't anything fancy, just some sweets and jerky, but they were all pretty fresh. Plus uncle has a sweet tooth. "So what were you thinking on doing with the dragon meat?" Ashtar asked.
"Distributing it between Hearthstone, Dueling Rivers, and an island." I said. "And take some home. Dragon doesn't taste half bad."
"An island?" She asked.
"Uh huh." I stopped, frowning. I was considering that little girl again.
"You okies, little Baby?" Ashtar asked.
"Yeah, I'm just being weird." I said.
"About what? Maybe I can give you some advice." Ashtar said, smiling.
"I just have to think on it some. A girl helped me when I was kidnapped, and I gave her books to pay her back for it. It delighted her quite a bit, and I intend to either tutor her or send her to school. But I also have choices to make surrounding how to handle that." I said, half shrugging.
"As generous as always, I see." Ashtar said.
"It's a very pretty island. Apparently it has pearls." Uncle commented.
"Oooh. Pearls are pretty." Ashtar said.
"If we could get black pearls, that may be nice. But pearls being there is really just a maybe. I should check out the island more thoroughly. But I don't understand, the girl is smart, how could she be bad at everything? Unless she is simply not being taught how to do things.." I frowned again, thinking.
"You like her, huh?" Ashtar asked. The tone she used was simply an observation.
"I do like smart people, and people of quality." I agreed.
Ashtar grinned and said, "Who are people of quality?"
"Well, there's my families, Bibs and his group and their families, which includes you, the people I call friends, and I suppose the citizens of Hearthstone. Oh, and Dad's employees in general, though I don't like all of them. And there are a few people I like in Dueling Rivers, too. Because they are good at what they do." I babbled. "I like Clara, too, because she's mean."
"Clara?" Ashtar asked. "Krista's daughter?"
"Who is Krista?" I asked.
"She's the secretary at Sleeping Ox. She's married to Domitan, the cook." Ashtar said, passing out tea and offering sugar. "Blue haired."
"Oh. So Clara takes over for her Mom. That's cool. I only knew the cook as 'Cook', or 'Cookie'. And that we aren't allowed to impede him." I said.
"I suppose she would want to do so. They're so alike it's cute. I wonder if I had a daughter if she'd take after me.. Nevermind. I don't think I want that!" She laughed.
"...But you do actually." I noted. "Or like Gregor."
"Little Gregor's could be cute." Ashtar said. "But we're waiting on that. We talked about it earlier this month even."
"I'm surprised you'd want to wait. As Bryna, you seemed eager to fall in love and have a family." I said.
"I already done half that." Ashtar grinned.
"Indeed." I agreed.
"What are your future plans?" Ashtar asked.
"Nothing is set in stone yet, but I think becoming a King may be worthwhile. Plus I get to have revenge at the same time." I said.
"Revenge can be fun depending on how." Uncle commented.
"Well, I want the Mad King to watch me rebuild his kingdom and claim his people for my own. Slowly erasing him. Taking everything that remained of his from him. It's the least I could do after he had I
His mage kill my-..ehem.. anyways, his mage banished me to the Dal Quor and cause my reality hop." I explained, catching myself a little.
"Hmm.. well that sounds like a worthwhile endeavor." Uncle said.
"Dad thinks I could or should use a puppet king. But that kinda removes my vindictive purpose." I said.
"The puppet is for freedom of movement, you could also just use a doppelganger." Uncle said.
"But if you're a king you'll have to marry." Ashtar said.
"... I am aware. I have a consideration at this time. The Dragonette Princess." I said. "Though, that's the mad King's daughter."
"Wow, adding insult to injury, huh, Kid?" Uncle commented.
"Well, I'm a little divided on it, because I think Nathan would like her." I said.
"It's not like you need to marry a princess to become a king." Uncle said.
"I am aware. She was more just a means for legitimacy." I half shrugged. "I wouldn't care for her, and that's not really fair. Though I am also aware that Kings marry for allies rather than caring."
"By the sounds of it, you won't be making any allies by marrying her." Uncle said.
"True. I'd have to marry one from the other kingdoms to do that. There's a Dwarven Kingdom, An Elven Kingdom, and Fish people Kingdom." I said.
"Fish people?! Really? Like the water elves?" He asked.
"Locathah and Tritons." I said.
"I don't think I've run into that low cat- something." Uncle said.
"Locathah. They look like cat fish that walk on their back fins and have finned arms and hands." I explained.
"Sounds like they won't be much of a problem outside of water." Uncle said.
".. They can walk as fast as you." I said.
"Anatomically, that doesn't make sense. Unless I am picturing them wrong in my head." Uncle said.
I showed him how they look, "No, you're right."
"Yeah. That makes no sense. I feel I need to see this in action just to accept it." Uncle said.
"Well, you're next free day I can take you to that continent. I'll forge some identification plaques for us." I said.
"Eh, sure. Why not. A little exploration." Uncle said.
"I'm so curious." Ashtar said, staring. I showed her mentally how they look. Her face went blank. "Nevermind."
I blinked. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. I'm gonna go skin the red dragon." She said, getting up and walking away without a grin or laugh.
I looked at Uncle. "I may have broke her..."
"You may have. Those fish things were very bizarre. I've seen some things, but those are.. eugh." He shrugged.
"Yeah.. I don't understand them." I said. "Ready for the next?"
"Oh, yes." Uncle said.
"We're heading up, Ashtar." I called. She waved.
So we started to head for the next floor where the blue dragon awaited, but Ashtar called, "Dirthin, should Isarial stay with me?"
"That would probably be for the best." Uncle said.
".. Alright." I said, walking over next to Ashtar, but don't touch the skeletons, ok? It may possess you."
"I'm sorry, the skeletons? And possession?" Uncle said. "A little more information on that."
"Past the double doors after the white dragon. Summer calls to people and lures them to touch him. Then possesses them. Bibs had to struggled to keep Gregor from touching Summer's skeleton, and Ash did touch it. Nearly blasted me with fire." I said.
"I'll come back to get you before I go through those doors." Uncle decided.
"Alright. I mean, Spring and Fall are fine to release." I said. "Winter is actually a nice ... person..?"
"I'm sure we'll get to know them once we get there." Uncle said.
I nodded, "Alright."
Uncle headed up and I stayed with Ashtar. I noticed at this point... the dragon's were larger than when I fought them with my group. Oh, well. I'd already known I'd altered reality. Either way, with a bit of boredom, I contacted my Mom.
"Momma, are you doing well today?" I asked.
"I am. And how is my Boy doing? How is your arm and shoulder?" Mom asked.
"It hurts, but Ashtar made me tea that eased it some." I answered honestly. "Momma, everyone keeps saying that I'm being odd. Dad questioned me multiple times even. You see, a girl helped me get home after I was kidnapped, and so I brought her books, because Dad said I told him she likes them. Then I learned she isn't treated well there, except by her parents and Grandma, and that she really wanted to to learn. So I am trying to decide what my best option is as far as helping her attend the school, or tutoring her would be.. the options are to kill the chief and take over the island, which is easy, or gain her parents trust."
"Well, if you were nice to the girl and gave her books, they probably already like you. It shouldn't be too hard." Mom said.
"Her grandma wants me to keep her once I gain enough of her parents trust. She said she isn't meant for island life." I told my mom.
"Well, that's an odd decision to make, that someone isn't meant for the life of where they are at." Mom said.
"She can't hunt, fight, cast useful spells, fish or weave baskets, apparently." I said, with some irritation, I added, "She's regarded as useless."
"The lack of these things hardly makes a person useless." Mom said.
I agreed. "I did consider just taking her away from the island, but I didn't want her to dislike me. She laughed when I told her if they rip up her books I'd break their kneecaps."
"I'm sorry, but that's adorable." Mom said.
"How so?" I asked.
"Defending her so viciously." Mom said.
"Her face was so cute when she saw the books." I said.
"I bet she enjoys them deeply." Mom said.
"I need to secretly bring her cookies next time." I said.
"Why cookies?" Mom asked.
"Because girls and children like sweet things. Just like Simon." I said. "She's kinda funny."
"Oh? What makes her funny?" Mom asked.
Thinking about her mannerisms, I started to smile, "She's sharp, frank and playful with her works, and quick to grin."
"Sounds like she is a lovely little girl." Mom said.
"I want to help her." I said.
"Then it's a good thing you are in quite the position to do so." Mom said.
"Snow thinks I have a crush on her." I complained.
"By the sounds of it, you very well might. There something wrong with that?" Mom asked.
"She's five or six." I said.
"So are you. By the sounds of it, her mind is what you're attracted to." Mom said.
"I haven't known her long.. her name is Zeraldinria." I said.
"From the sound of it, you'll be getting to know her." Mom said.
"Oh, my Dad grounded me. I can only go places with Uncle Dirthin." I said.
"Sounds like James wants to do all he can to make you safe until you can keep yourself safe. Something I can agree with him on." Mom said.
"When my arm is healed, I'll be working on a engine. It runs propellers, which makes ships go fast." I told her.
"Well, that sounds like a neat invention, Dear." Mom said.
"Dad is very interested in it. He'll probably invest on the project." I said.
"Oh, probably. He's not much of one to miss out on an investment." Mom said.
"Arguably, I am his best investment." I said, cheerily.
"There is no arguably to it. I think you took that spot hands down." Mom said.
"Momma, do you think I'd be a good King?" I asked.
"I don't know much about Kings, but I know you make a good leader for your town." Mom said.
Ashtar finished up harvesting the red dragon, and picked me up, carefully. "Woah, you are light." She said.
I let her carry me without protest, "I'm five. I think this is normal." Then to my Mom I said, "Momma, the seasons will be starting again soon."
"Oh? And what do the seasons do?" Mom asked.
"Spring is renewal when plants sprout, Summer is hot when plants fruit, fall is cool and when plants go to sleep, and Winter is cold when everything is difficult and snow comes." I told her.
"Hm. I don't like the sound of winter." Mom said.
"Warm drinks, snowball fights, snuggles for warmth. But food is scarce, not that Hearthstone needs to worry." I told her.
"Ok, I might find winter a little bit fun. Still sounds scary for some places, though." Mom said.
"It'll be ok, Momma." I said. "People will just adapt again, and I have plans to help the small villages so no one freezes to death."
"Hoo. Freezing to death.. that sounds very bad. What's your plan?" Mom asked.
"I'll bring soups and blankets to the villages, and thermal stones." I said. "At least this first winter. I'll let them come to Hearthstone the next one if they can't weather it."
"If they can't weather the weather?" Mom asked. "Honestly, I am surprised your solution is so simple. I thought you were going to invent something."
"I intend for the stone floors of Hearthstone to get thermal conducting plates installed. Though it should be pretty weather proof as is. Since our farms are below ground they shouldn't be impacted by the change in seasons." I said. "That'll make the King have to bargain with us for grain and such."
"Mm, that'll put him in his place." Mom said.
"Ashtar, can you do me another favor? It may be annoying for you." I asked.
"Hm? What's that, Baby?" She asked.
"Will you try to become friends with my Momma?" I asked. "I don't think she's had friends before."
"Well, sure. I can try." Ashtar agreed.
I explained to her where my Mom lives and hangs out. We got upstairs in time for Uncle to kill the blue dragon. "Momma, Ashtar will visit you."
"Well, ok. I'm fine with visitors." Mom said.
"She can be a little annoying, but the two of you are similar in age." I said.
"I think I will have to reserve judgement for when I meet her." Mom said.
"She's like the human equivalent of a pet dog. No matter how far you throw the stick, it keeps bringing it back and only wants affection." I said.
"That is an odd way to describe someone." Mom said.
"She's reliable, though. And always willing to help. She's a truly good person." I said.
"I will try not to be mean." Mom said.
"...She might think it's cute if you are mean." I warned.
"Oh my, she does sound like an interesting one." Mom said.
"She'll bring some dragon meat to town." I said.
"I have definitely never tried that." Mom said.
"You'll be able to." I said.
"Well, I certainly will be able to if she brings it." Mom said.
"I hope it'll help make my little sibling strong and healthy." I said.
"Or give him scales. Who knows." Mom said.
I laughed, and after talking with her for a few more minutes, ending the connection. Ashtar had put me down to harvest the blue dragon while Uncle had gone on to kill the white one. Once Ashtar finished the blue one, we started heading up, though Uncle intercepted us to bring me with him.
"Well, it seems it's time to go meet your spirit friends, or seasonal friends.." Uncle said.
"Yep. They've been watching us." I said.
"Well, I hope I put on a good show." Uncle said.
"The dragon's were meant to be a deterrent. Guards kinda." I said.
"They picked some really shifty guards." Uncle said.
I half shrugged and went with him, while Ashtar followed long enough to get started on harvesting the white dragon. She was very efficient with it and knew exactly what to get off the carcasses. Of course, she'd learned from Tilton so it was understandable.
Anyways, we approached the over-large doors, with Uncle opening them. The room was huge with that giant table and humongous skeletons. Looking up at the top of the table, I said, "Uncle, we need to get up there."
"Well, that's easy enough." He said, scooping me up, "Are you ready? It may get a little rough."
"Yeah, I'm ready." I said, laying my head on his shoulder and holding onto him with my good arm.
He braced me as well as he could, then started climbing Summer's chair. He was taking care to not jostle me too much, though he's the sort who'd throw his nieces and nephews endlessly against soft things. Just not when they're injured, as I am.
We soon reached the top of the arm of the chair. This is where he set me down to use a grappling hook. Once it was properly anchored, he picked me back up and had me hold onto him as best I could, while he climbed us up to the table.
The table had four sections, with images etched into it signifying each of the seasons. In the center was the orb that would release them into an elemental form. "Uncle, this one is Summer, and that one Spring, then Fall, and across is Winter."
"Well, they all seem to be having quite the nap. What do we do with them?" Uncle asked.
"Well, my psionics allow me to talk to them, and understand them. So I guess I negotiate with Winter and Summer. Right now, Winter wants to turn our continent into permanent winter, and Summer wants everything to burn. Spring and Fall, weaker and transitional, they want to keep the old status quo." I explained. "I suppose we could release spring and fall now."
"Alright, so how do we do that?" Uncle asked.
"Touch them and then touch the orb." I said.
"Touching them, and touching the- that's not going to do anything weird to me right?" Uncle asked.
"They would be sharing your body for a moment, but Spring didn't possess me when I did that, it was more of a cohabitation like the quori and I in a way. I think Fall was similar." I said, "Though Kali had released Fall."
"Well, let's give it a shot and see what happens.. if not, well, it's gonna be real interesting." Uncle said.
"Ok. Do you wanna take Spring or Fall?" I asked.
"Eh, I'll start with Spring." Uncle said. "Once I get done with the first one, I'll head over to the other." Uncle said.
"Ah. Then I'll talk to Winter, well, Ymir." I said.
"Alright, just don't do anything that would jeopardize you." Uncle said.
"I'm not constantly fighting possession, so my mind is pretty solid. You can believe in me, Uncle." I grinned.
"I believe in you to do things that somehow lead to fantastic results.. or just terrible." Uncle said.
I looked at Winter, and mentally connected to it. 'Hello, Ymir.'
'Hello, little thing...? Human... ish.' It responded.
'You will return to having Winter for three months a year, yes?' I asked.
'I would much prefer eight months out of the year.' It said.
'Well, that's not possible. Since you heard us talking this entire time, you know Fall and Spring have been released. If you won't accept the three months, like it used to be, we'll just make Summer agree and you'll be stuck.' I said.
'Well, then who is going to kill off the other seasons and let things start again?' Ymir asked.
'Fall would have to transition back into Spring.' I said.
'I will agree to the original arrangement, solely because those idiots would mess it up.' Ymir said.
'A wise decision. And much appreciated. With your help, we can reign in Summer. I know you want to see everyone have snowball fights again. You're kind like that, even though Winter is seen as cruel.' I said.
'It's because I force the stupids to learn how to prepare themselves. If they don't they'll die.' Ymir said.
'I'll help people survive the first winter.' I said.
'Well, that's almost like cheating, but I certainly won't stop you. As long as they learn by the next one.' Ymir said. 'There is a lot of pent up energy.. whoever you release first it will be intense. Even if it's spring. People could die.'
'Well, you all can release it in another space.' I said. 'It was the solution we came up with before.'
'What do you mean before? I would remember it if it happened before.' Ymir said.
'I'll share my memory with you.' I said, doing so. Showing it how my group and I had found them, how Summer took over Ash and tried to kill me, who was harboring Spring. How I'd negotiated with Ymir and had Fall released. How we'd all talked Summer down, and how they'd released their energies and made that giant tree in the Capital.
'Alright, well, that's a solid plan.' Ymir said.
"Alright, Uncle, Ymir has agreed to return to the original arrangement.. Hello, Spring." I greeted the green spirit to my right.
"Hi, are we starting things up again?" It asked.
"Yes, and I've got interesting gifts for you all." I said, "Summer just needs to agree."
"Well, I hope he does. I have been very bored." Spring said.
I smiled and waved at Fall, then Linked to Summer. 'Hullo, Summer.'
'Hello, interloper.' It replied.
'You've heard Winter agreed to return how things were, and you know Spring and Fall want that, too. So what is your decision?' I asked.
'Hm, I don't know. I could wait another a hundred years until there are no more interlopers.' Summer said.
'Uh-huh. So Spring, Fall, then Winter, and back to Spring. That'll be interesting.' I replied, turning towards Winter, and smiling slowly once my back was turned.
'You say that as if you hold all the cards. The crops won't grow properly without summer. Winter will wipe them out before they can. People will starve.' Summer said.
'Normally, you'd be right. However, I have the means to provide enough food for the continent until we've modified the growth patterns of plants. And I'll have you know, where Spring has been endless, crops do quite well.' I replied.
'So that's your plan? You'll start with Spring?' Summer asked.
'Yes. I said so. Which should have made it your turn next, but since you're being stubborn..' I half shrugged.
'Haah, fine. There is always next century for renegotiations.' Summer said.
'So you agree?' I asked.
'I do.' It said.
"Alright, Uncle. Summer has begrudgingly agreed." I said. "Though if he tries any funny business, I will find a way to prevent fires from existing within his sight."
"Well, this doesn't sound ridiculously dangerous or anything, but sure." Uncle said.
I went over to Winter, who'd been freed, as a sort of shield. Understandable since Summer had tried to kill me before. While Uncle went to go free Summer.
"Child, do you seek to use me as a shield?" Ymir asked.
I got into my bag and offered him the flower. "It's called Ymir's Grace."
"You wish to hand Winter a flower..." Ymir said incredulously.
"Yes." I nodded.
"Alright. I'll take it. But don't expect it to live for very long." Ymir said. He took it, and it began turning a more vibrant shade.
"Phew. It almost died in my bag." I said.
He stared at it, "Well, that's just gorgeous." He was solely distracted by it.
I grinned briefly, before glancing around Ymir to see that Summer had been freed, and was looking rather petulant. "I have a gift for you, too, Summer."
"And what might you have?" He asked, bored.
I approached Spring and took out the multitudes of ribbons I had collected. Some shiny, some dull, some vibrant, some pastel, some decorated, some plain, and at different widths. Spring giggled and began using air to twirl the ribbons around.
With the ribbons passed out, I went to the sensitive Fall and took out the softest and fluffier teddy bear I could find and offered it to them. Fall accepted it quickly, just like before, and immediately began cuddling it.
So I went towards Summer. "Don't burn me."
"I won't burn you.. we just came to a deal of sorts." Summer grouched.
I started taking the containers out of my bag. "See this? It allows you to pour the powder." I said, demonstrating and using a couple of the mixes for draw a fire butterfly. "Now, will you set the powder I poured on fire?"
Summer poked the edge of it, igniting the powder, as the fire spread, it created different colors, and even crackled, causing pretty sparks to fly off from it. It had a compound in it that would keep it lit for around ten minutes. Summer seemed rather enchanted by the sparks and flames.
"There. That ought to keep you all entertained a while." I said, looking around at the Seasons.
Ymir asked, "Was that your goal? Free us, set us back in motion and then entertain us?"
"Try making the flower colder." I said.
Ymir tried to freeze the flower. Causing it to start changing color to a royal purple tone, with splashes of navy. "Now, that is interesting."
"The colder it is, the more pretty colors it has. It will only wilt away if it's warm. That's why it's called Ymir's Grace." I explained. "It was difficult to create."
"Who made this?" He asked.
"I had the help of druids, the spirits Druid, Gnome, and Undine, Flower Divas, myself and a girl named Eluvian." I said. "I supplied the spirits with additional energy and mana to use. The people live in Hearthstone Town."
"What an interesting combination." Ymir said.
"The spirits helped because Sienna, who is beloved by spirits, asked Undine if she would help me." I explained.
"Hm. That sounds reasonable enough." Ymir said.
Spring called me over and offered me a farming hoe, that would enrich the crops and increase yield. Then Fall gave me the Fall Crown. It allowed me to detect everything within five hundred ft in towns and five miles in the 'wild'. Ymir gave me a snow ball bracelet. And not to be outdone, Summer gave me something, too.