When I woke in the morning, it was darker than normal. I got up groggily and looked out the window. There were dark clouds coming in. A storm was brewing.
Not that it mattered much, as I intended to go clean and build in the cave today. Since the weather was crummy, I wanted to start my day with something sweet. I washed my face, put on a plain shirt and breeches, then left the room.
Plight and the dogs met me as we came out. Inari came up to us shortly after, with our things clean and mended. I thanked her, noting she was wearing the bracelet I'd given her. She bid us to have a great day. I wished her the same.
When I didn't stop by the Innkeep to order breakfast, Plight questioned me. I informed him I was heading to the bakery. I started feeding the dogs strips of smoked meat as we went. Promising their proper breakfast when we get to the cave.
Incidentally, it was going to be a good time to see if the cave floods or not. As we passed by the stalls I noted none were being opened. Made sense. No one wants to stand in the rain.
Entering the Bakery, I noted there weren't many patrons. The weather was the cause according to Kaz. I bought cookies, bread, muffins, and some Elven Pillows, then bid him to have a better day then the weather.
Eating muffins as we went, I felt an odd movement from the bag of holding hanging by my hip, when I looked, I thought I caught glimpse of a hand. I took out a cookie and held it half in the bag. It was snagged away. I held another out after a moment and waited.
I'd stopped walking, which caught Plight's attention. He was watching as a long, green hand with long black nails, emerged from the bag and took the cookie. It then retreated back into the bag.
Deciding not to be concerned, I started walking again. So, I have a bag friend... That.. It's fine. It's probably fine. We got to our metal bridge, I crossed fine, Plight needed a bit of help, and the dogs simply blinked across.
We immediately began to work on adding wood to the bridge. We had it done in nearly an hour. I pointed out the weapons and trade good should be sold off in East Haven so we wouldn't need to worry about Dueling Rivers running out of funds. They get stipends from their noble lords, the Desquins, and the crown after all.
They supply vegetables to the Kingdom. It's the most bountiful land in the Kingdom, after all.
Since the bridge was finished and accessible by cart, we headed into the cave. I laid out food for the dogs, noting I'd need to work on getting more for them. Then got to work on making a door to the entrance. Plight noted what I was doing, and quickly picked up on what he could do to help.
He'd asked after a bit, how I knew how to do this. I told him, I only knew it from books. I had no practical application of the skills with carpentry, but that it was easier than metalwork. Dwarves made metalwork look easy. It is not. Carpentry is practical and straightforward. Very easy to do with the right knowledge and ability to do so.
I informed him I intended to hire the dwarves union to build housing in the large cavern. The entryway wasn't completed to the point I wanted it to be, but that was fine. It still was set up in a manner that would keep creatures from wondering in. Since the cave was dark, I had to use the beacon ability.
Having completed building the entryway door, I went down the right tunnel where the trade supplies were left. I began using the ring to mend and clean the goods. Restoring them to a useable extent. Once they were clean and repaired I stored them in the bag of holding. I also mended the weapons from the goblins and put those away, too.
We'd have plenty to sell whenever we go to East Haven. I was going to try and wait until after my parents came and went to go to the little town.
Now, I finally went to go check out that room in the back of the cavern. Next I'd check the hole. To open the door, I had to remove the rubble from in front of it and pull the handle. It came open easily.
Inside the room was dusty. There was a desk with a chair, a bed, a bookshelf filled with books, and a single chest. I immediately began using the ring to clean the room of dust. The bed was comfy, I learned upon sitting on it.
I then laid back on it and beckoned Plight to join me. He did so without hesitation. He noted it was comfy. I stated I may just sleep there from now on. The magic lock was going to keep people out of this room.
I got up and checked the chest. It popped open with no trouble. Inside the chest was a book, five scrolls, and a robe. I picked up the book and opened it. It read, 'This is the Personal Journal of the Great Wizard Azerime.'
I was astonished. Did this mean this had been Azerime's home? I'd heard he had a tower around here but this was merely a single room. Then again, maybe he did experiments here.. The hole is very round...
Leaving the room, I went directly to the hole. I asked Plight for a rope, he handed it over. Curiously he watched as I combined our ropes, tied off a section to one of the poles, removed the grate I'd put over it, and flung the rope down.
He questioned me then. Asking if I was really descending into the pit. I was. So he said he would, too. It took me a moment, but I agreed. He went down first. I followed. 10.. 20.. 30.. 50.. 100 feet down the rope and we finally found the bottom.
I was glad for the beacon ability. It left me with both my hands available and able to see, what could beat that in a dark space?
Looking around it was dirty. I started using the ring to clean the area. It tidied up the leftover corpses and old webbing. By this point, having used it so much, I was pretty tired and starting to weaken. I'd be no good in a fight, currently..
Once it'd been cleaned up, I saw there's an egg sack in a corner and on the floor was a teleportation circle. It appeared to be incomplete, with sections broken or erased, perhaps by the rings power, or time.
I placed my hand against the eggsack wondering if it had babies or not. I didn't want to leave it here, or smash it. I pulled it away from the wall, and told Plight, we'd leave it to the dwarves to decide what to do with the hole. They may come up with something amazing.
Plight then questioned what I was doing with the spider egg sack. I told him I was gonna take it to town and ask Bibs about it. The parts of fixing up the cave that we could do were done for now. I wrapped it in my cloak and began climbing the rope. After slipping a couple of times, I readjusted the egg sack and Plight half carried me back up the rope.
When asked if I was ok, I explained how the ring cleans. Plight gave me a look so disapproving that my father would approve of its use. Especially in the context of the use of the ring.
Once we were out of the hole, I removed the rope and put the grate back. Then, I locked up the room with the magic lock, told the dogs to stay, and we returned to town. I was quite proud of our bridge. Our entrance to the cave looked good, too. Especially with the knowledge that we reinforced it with the leftover bits of cage.
We hadn't far to go to get to Bibs' house after entering the East gate. It was a miserable trek through the rain, though. Kershka wasn't outside on his bench, so I knocked on the door.
Kershka answered the door. He started to reach for me, hesitated, and said, "Kershka was told to ask first.."
I tilted my head, then lowered the cloak containing the egg sack and said, "You may?"
Kershka then scooped me up and gave me a hug, getting wet in the process. I giggled and hugged him back as best I could. Once he set me down, he said "Kershka was told not everyone enjoys Kershka hugs."
"I can see where that may be true for some. I like hugs. They are my favorite." I tell Kershka. "I had a question for Bibs."
"Bibs is upstairs. Kershka can go get him." Kershka said.
"I don't want to be a bother if he's busy.." I say.
"Bibs always busy. Kershka get anyway." Kershka said and went to get Bibs.
I giggled at the situation. Thinking Kershka's cute. I even tell Plight, "Isn't Kershka cute?"
"An absolutely adorable behemoth." Plight replies.
"He's the best. He's really just a sweetie." I tell him. I poked Plight's belly. "I'm gonna have to hunt for you and the dogs."
"I can hunt on my own." Plight says.
"You can. But I adore you. This means, I look after your well being as much as I can." I inform him.
"Well, thank you." Plight said.
I pat his wet hair. Then wait for Bibs and Kershka. After a few more minutes they came back down.
"Hello, what can I do for you?" Bibs greeted us.
"Well.. great to see you. We're working on a project in the cave we met in and we found an egg sack. I didn't want to destroy it. Nor do I know what to do with it. I also don't know if it's viable... So I thought you'd be the man to ask." I replied.
He swiped his hand back over his hair and said, "Where are my hostly manners. It is nice seeing you, again. I've just been a little busy trying to get things back in order."
I raised my hands and shook my head, "There was no offense. Pleasantries aren't necessities, especially with family. Mom just raised us polite. Are you ok?" I smile at him.
"Just a bit more of a headache going on around here then I initially thought. It is easily straightened out. It will just take a little more time." Bibs said, not commenting on the absurdity of Snow Den Hearthry teaching proper manners to her children.
"I'd offer to help, but I do believe what gives you annoyance is beyond my ability." I tease him.
"Yes, it's quite alright. It's nothing outside of my capabilities to take care of." Bibs replied.
With that, I remove my cloak from the spider egg sack. "Know anything handy about this?"
"Yes, I suppose I would." Bibs replied.
"I kept it dry with my cloak, but I don't know what to do with it." I tell him.
"If you want the little one to survive, I would suggest handing it over to our large friend here. He is quite good with spiders." Bibs says.
"You think it's alive?" I ask, "I don't know how to tell."
"Oh, it's alive. They are quite difficult to kill." Bibs said.
"Should I have?" I asked.
"Oh, it's quite alright. They are not inherently evil or anything." Bibs replied.
"Of course not. They're just animals, aren't they?" I ask.
"Indeed." Bibs said.
"Then, do you want to take care of the spider egg, Kershka?" I ask, looking at the big guy.
"Yes." Kershka said, enthusiastically, "Kershka take good care."
I nodded and handed the egg sack over to him. "I hope it'll be a good friend to you, Kershka. Thank you, Bibs. Would you like a hug?"
"Oh, why not." Bibs said.
I give Bibs an affectionate hug. "Thank you for your time. We've got to head out. I need to see the Tavern Keeper, and the Dwarven Union."
"Busy, busy. What plans do you have going on here? Or are they hush, hush?" Bibs asked.
I gave him a thoughtful look, then said, "I am going to try and take the 'undesirables' from East Haven and other places and move them to the cave. The cave I am going to develop into a town. They'll be put up in a home, fed, clothed, and allowed to gain wealth through their own work and means. I am just going to try and supply the seed for the roots to take to. I hope to achieve through these people more access to medicines and help. And I do intend to keep this from Father for a bit."
"Hush, hush it is." Bibs commented.
"I know Father would support this, because it is something I wish to do, but I'd like to achieve it through my own ambition. Plus, if Father get's involved hell will come much quicker for anyone seeking to stop this from occurring, and I fear this town would suffer in the process." I tell him.
"Oh, probably. Your father does have a great many enemies. Whether he acknowledges them or not." Bibs said.
"Yeah.. Did you know bout who Mills was before he came here?" I asked on impulse.
"That's an oddly specific question." Bibs replied.
"I'm just curious. He wanted me to guess and to say his name last night, even after I'd told him I wouldn't pry. Men are complicated." I tell him.
"Yes, men can be an odd breed. But I'd like to think most of us mean well." Bibs said, "Including Mr. Denoir."
"He's the only Denoir I'd trust." I nodded.
"And I feel that wouldn't be misplaced." Bibs said.
I gave a small smile and said, "I hope my mom and Bit don't terrorize him overly much."
"I don't believe that would ever not be the case. I don't know much about this 'Bit', but from my many years of experience with your mother, Mills in in for a lovely time." Bibs said.
"Very true. Good day, Bibs. I'll see you again, soon." I smile and give Kershka a good-bye hug. Kershka returns the hug and lets us out the door.
The dogs were playing in the rain, I noticed. I laughed as they splashed in a puddle. I headed over to the Tavern. It was about lunch time now anyways.
Once we entered, I approached the bar. The Tavern keeper was minding it. I greeted him, "Hi. What did you need, sir?"
"Well, to buy ya a drink." He said.
"Eh? Pardon?" I was baffled.
"Ah, it's been a long time coming, since those shits needed an ass kicking, they had it coming." He spoke in one long, thick accent.
"You're not angry I removed his tongue in your establishment?" I ask, surprise plain on my face.
"Lass, from what I seen, ya coulda done much worse." He said, "And yet I find I'd still be buying ya a drink."
I tilted my head, then glance towards Plight, "Very well." I say.
With my acceptance he got me that drink and placed it before me. I ordered a hot meal and settled down for lunch. Plight joined me, too, but stuck to just drinks. The Tavern Keeper was a funny guy, and truly, no one liked those elves.
After the meal and drinks, I worked on a map of the layout of the cave. Once done, I put the drawing away, neatly, and headed out going to the Dwarven Union.
I entered the union building and approached the same elderly dwarf that had spoke with us last time. I greeted the elder and took out the maps I'd just drawn up. I then laid them out for the dwarf to see. I explained that I'd like to hire them to build thirty houses within the cavern part, ensure that there will be no cave ins, and to build two more buildings, one an infirmary and the other an open kitchen with dining space.
It could be stone, or wood, whichever they felt was easier for them to manage. I told them the first room down the right tunnel needed to be expanded to the second room, if possible. I'd like to turn that space into a training area. And this was only going to be a start to the work done. The Elder called a few others over. They discussed in Dwarvish for a moment, then the Elder agreed to do it. For a thousand gold.
I'd laughed lightly and negotiated the price. I'd talked him pretty low already, when another dwarf had walked over and spoke in Dwarvish and gestured to me with his thumb, chortling. The others looked impressed, and the Elder laughed hard and brought up what I had done to the elves last night. I admitted I'd done it, and why, and the Elder agreed to start the work at an initial one hundred fifty gold payment, and more payments to be determined, at a discount, as work progresses.
I argued that was nonsense, I was buying Dwarven laborers, not humans, I'd pay no less than two hundred fifty gold, initially, and we could discuss further payments at his discretion. More appreciative looks were passed around and we shook hands on the deal. They wrote up the terms, I looked them over and signed, I also received a copy of the agreement. They then sealed the deal with a particularly stout alcoholic beverage that burned going down, and left my cheeks rosy. Once I'd handed over the gold, and told them the location of the cave, we left.
Now that I'd done all I could, I wasn't sure what to do. I wanted to return to the cave for a nap, but I decided it'd be best to wait in town. The rain had stopped, I noticed as we crossed the bridge. A guard passed as we got closer to the square, and I noted the old woman was at her stall, though the other stalls were still empty.
Remembering I'd told her I'd visit her, I approached her. "Hello, Ma'am." I greeted, to my embarrassment, I hiccupped. That alcohol was seriously strong.
"Well, hello little Sweetling." She said looking at me. "Finally had some time to visit?"
"Yes. I've got a large project I'm getting going with my friend's help. It's going to be fun." I smiled at her.
"Well, let me be the first to get you a house-warming gift." She reaches into a shelf, and roots around a bit. "Ah, here it is." She pulls out a wreath. It was simple, flowers and twigs wrapped around themselves. "You can hang this on your brand new front door. It will keep those nasty goblins from returning back home." She offered it.
"Thank you, Ma'am." I say, graciously, as I accept it. "I'd worried bout just that very thing when making that door."
Plight's hand lightly rested on my shoulder, when I looked at him he looked apprehensive, so I mentally went over the conversation and noticed the oddity in it. "You know bout the activities in the cave?" I asked.
The woman smiled and said, "All news passes through the mushrooms."
"Can mushrooms really communicate in a way similar to telepathy?" I hiccupped, my words starting to slur together as the alcohol warmed my belly. "What's a mystic anyways?"
She laughed a little and said, "Mushrooms speaking? Dear, you seem to be a little.. under the weather. Maybe we should speak again when you're a little more clear headed."
"There's a scientifific theory that mushrooms can communicate with each other and alert each other to potenshal dangers." I tell her. "Plus, there's little mushroom people from the Fae."
"Oh, yes, yes, we can talk about the little mushroom people the next time you visit." She says, waving her hand in a manner like if she's really saying 'there, there, child.'
I looked at Plight, "I think that dwarf-brew is kicking my ass. I need a nap..."
"Indeed. Maybe we should get you to bed." Plight said.
The dogs came over to us, covered in mud, as I protested, "But, I gotta meet Mills by the thing at eight... at the ... the.. guild? No. Well." I giggled at my muddled mind.
"Well, lets go take a nap so you can feel better. You are very drunk at the moment." Plight insisted.
"Ok," I tell him in a soft voice. "Bye-bye elder." I say over my shoulder, not paying attention.
Plight guided me through town and to the Inn. Got us a room, and took me up to the room. I'd gone from coherent to utter babble and giggles by this point. Inari, bless her, took one look at the muddy dogs and started cleaning them up.
Once Plight had me in a room, I insisted he cuddle with me in the bed or I'd not go to sleep. Helplessly, he did as I asked. Once I'd curled up to him, I passed out.