There was nothing, no information that would have helped with taking care of a salamander. Of course there were no books about it. It wasn't like most people would have even known what a salamander was.
Ted built a habitat for the lizard-like creature before leaving for the Diamond Kingdom. It would have to be fed occasionally, and Ted had to trust someone else to do that. This alone was enough to make him nervous.
Ted had to book an airship entirely for himself and his travel companions. He didn't trust just any passengers in the presence of such a mighty amount of gold. Granted, the gold would be hard to exchange anywhere in the western parts of the world, but there were such devious people roaming the airlines that Ted saw it as the best course of action to neutralize all possible threats by hiring mercenaries to protect himself and his immense wealth.
Ted had been on an airship two times before. Back in the past, no one who would have guessed that man would eventually be able to fly. Now, however, the rich and mighty flew around all the time, exploring the continent and even the Karshlands. The northern islands were too dangerous to fly over. There had been a griffin outbreak in a zoo somewhere near Aja Vana. Nowadays, it was considered a bad move and a suicidal trick to even consider inhabiting the same airspace with the rabid beasts.
Ted took his friends to the airship station. It was located just outside the city, near a place called Oathbreaker's Cove.
Ted just couldn't stop being amazed by the beautiful brass colored ballooning girths of the ships. Some had ornamental patterns painted on them, while others were not as flashy, but most of them were not in flight, and this seemed to disappoint Eknie a little bit.
"Did you expect them all to fly at the same time?" Ted asked, greatly amused. "That's kind of silly."
Instead of looking offended, the woman just averted her eyes. This pleased Ted.
The ship they were going to take to the Bridge of Eroch was not the most handsome one. Ted did not want any extra attention.
Even if he had to wanted to show off, there would have been better ways to do that, such as actually doing something that let his handsome face show. No one would know that he was the one riding the luxurious airship.
Ted watched from his seat as the ground grew distant and even the highest of the houses of Neul became just small specks of dirt tarnishing the perfect subtropical rainforest.
The world was changing, though. The forests were being turned into fields and rivers were being connected into all sorts of artificial systems that helped with watering said fields. Ted did not know the names for the machines, and neither did he care very much, for menial tasks were below his level. He considered himself way too good to bother with the details of getting food onto his table, let alone the tables of the lowly common folk.
"That's a pretty house, I kind of want to set it on fire," Eknie said, pointing downwards and looking out from the little window.
She had a cup of tea in her other hand. She was looking fetching, and the casual talk of arson made Ted feel strange.
This was the worthiest female human he had ever met.
He glanced around, but Mad was not near them. They could continue their casual arson banter.
"My, your eyesight just gets sharper every day." Ted could barely even make out the outline of the house. "But what would happen if we dropped something on it?"
"Mh, like something that's been lit on fire?"
"I don't know. Maybe we should try it some day?"
"Absolutely, Ted."
They laughed about it for a while. Ted had that special feeling that sometimes appeared when he was dreaming of flying. It was an elevated mood, almost euphoric in its lightness, and he intended to ride it while it still lasted. Soon enough, nausea would take over and he would double down in airsickness. He did not know what caused it, but it certainly would dampen the mood.
He had some ginger tea to counteract the nausea that was already beginning to rise from his belly. The tea was not as strong as he had hoped for. He settled for fox bollockwort powder, even though it was frighteningly expensive.
The captain of the airship said he could be lenient with the payment, but mercenaries were not as kind about financial matters. Ted would have to be quick with the current exchange. He did not want to make any enemies out of guns-for-hire. That was bad for business and even worse for the agenda of survival.
"You seem quiet," Eknie commented. "Financial woes?"
Ted sighed, and the timing was perfect, for the airship let out a similar sound.
"You're too sharp for your own good, Eknie. Notice how the man near us doesn't need to clutch his gun to feel confident? Notice that subtle bounce in his steps? These men could kill us in seven different ways, only using their hands. I am saying that…"
Ted shook his head, leaning over the coffee table.
"I want to have that kind of power, but not in a purely physical sense. I want to have…occult powers, you understand, don't you? I want to be able to think a murderous thought and have my target be dead before they hit the floor."
Eknie nodded. "You want to hold the ropes. I understand. I am so glad that you understand it – you deserve that, and more. But how are you planning to climb that mountain?"
"I'll have it climb me instead. Would you like some homemade wine?"
Eknie licked her lips, and that was a bad mistake.
Ted might not have ever been the most marriage-minded man, but he was still only a man, albeit an occultist. He felt something roar inside him, shaking his core and bones with a horrifying vibration.
Then the dangerous lust passed him by, and he was left guessing whether his face had shown his true emotions.