*Sarial's POV*
"I'm actually a little bit hungry. Shall we eat? I will cook." Sienna offered. Probably trying to change the vibe of the room.
"Yes, that sounds like a great idea. It's definitely dinner time." I agreed, leaning against the door and sliding to the ground. The dogs cuddled to me.
Tyra was looking at me, now. "You seem very anxious." She noted.
"Incredibly. For a multitude of reasons." I nodded. I worked on calming myself. It'd do me no good for Vakri to appear.
Tyra just seemed perplexed by me. Or at least, I assume I'm the reason she has that expression. I don't think those unused to Leonin faces would pick up on it.
Plight sat next to me, edging Chaser over. He then placed his arm around my shoulders. "It will be ok. You have plenty of people who would love and support you. And I'm sure Mills will be thrilled."
"I'm not." I replied. "I didn't want to burden a child with Vakri. I should have been more responsible."
"I think it would be up to the child whether it was a burden." Plight commented.
I looked at Plight. Glad my three way Link had ended. I Mind Linked with him and started sharing with him the nightmares that were Vakri's memories.
*They'll be shown these memories. I was very sickly as a child from insomnia because of these terrifying memories keeping me awake.*
*
*The Hearthry's did not. Derek did. Knowing what a scary thing is doesn't explicitly make it not scary. Many Kalashtar go mad outside of monasteries.*
*
*That is true. But I regret their future suffering.*
*
I leaned my head against him. Feeling a bit helpless and out of place.
"I don't understand why you are upset," Tyra says, "But I think it'll be alright. Can I ask why you started this fight with those people?"
"They were killing people and selling other people as slaves. I needed to avenge the villages they destroyed, and children they harmed." I told her, "I don't disbelieve you, but how did you know I am pregnant, and how did you heal Plight?"
"Magic items are very handy." Tyra replied. "I have one that accesses vulnerabilities of enemies. Healing items are plentiful."
Plight said, "I'm sorry, but you will have to try another story. Healing items and healing magic don't work on the dead. Just tell us the truth. We will not judge or harm you."
Tyra looked at him for a moment. Then shrugged and said, "I do not have an answer for you, then. Just call it an anomaly."
Plight watched her for a moment, but didn't continue. I was watching her.
"Who're you hiding from?" I asked.
"You realize there are no witnesses here, right?" Tyra said.
Plight looked at me and said, "Is.. Is that a threat? Honestly asking here. Is it?"
"You don't want to do anything." I noted, then to Plight. "It is a threat."
She gave a very feline look that meant I was right and she was displeased. "Yes, well. I wouldn't choose to push it were I you. And it's currently more of an observation because I am not being aggressive."
"Do-do we need to fight her?" Plight asked, confused.
"No. We don't need to fight her. Since she's able to heal you, I'd say there's more going on than I am comfortable facing. We'll ask my Dad about it tomorrow." I said. "We need to discuss the next move. Given a few minutes I can come up with a plan."
"Alright. We can do that." Plight said.
Sienna called us to eat, then. "I was thinking bout it. Since we don't know how her method works, I can cast Identify and determine your condition that way." She said.
"..Sure. Why not?" I replied.
So, as we sat at the table she'd already set and prepared plates at, she cast her spell on me. Tyra was unbothered by the second checking. I had to tell her to come eat. She seemed incredibly uncomfortable sitting at the table with us. I slowly started to get the feeling that she isn't used to people. The set of her ears showed she was being very cautious of us.
Once the time requirement for the spell passed a status screen popped up.
[Identified Conditions: Frightened, Exhausted, Pregnant.]
"Whelp. I hate everything about that spell now." I announced.
"I could cast it at a higher level." Sienna playfully suggested.
"No, thank you." I replied. "So what if I forge some papers to get all the guards in one place and you two fireball them?"
"I can do that." Alexion said.
"That would be efficient if we needn't worry about hurting innocents." Sienna said.
"Will that work?" Tyra asked, skeptical.
"The only problem would be strays attempting to escape." I pointed out. "As soon as they realized it was a trap, they'll react poorly."
Tyra frowned at me, "You intend to be there, don't you?"
"Stop giving me that look. Women are not enfeebled just because they're pregnant. I intend to be very careful, and I will escape as soon as things get hairy. I can teleport." I replied.
Tyra looked incredulous, but remained quiet.
"That could very well be fine. I can cast careful spells." Sienna said.
"Incidentally, I can cast both Mage Armor and Sanctuary, which will keep her safer." Alexion said.
"If you are still helping us, Tyra, then you and Plight will be the safeguard against them escaping." I say.
"I think I can handle that." Plight said. "I still have a very nice hammer."
"I'll help. In exchange, you can tell me about the Kingdom." Tyra said. "I don't know anything bout it."
"That's easily doable." I respond. "Plight, will you do me a favor after you're done eating?"
"Yes." He said without hesitation.
"Can you take some of the breads and such to the kids? I need to contact Mills." I asked.
"Yes. I can do that." Plight said.
"I'll go with you." Sienna said, smiling.
"I would love the company." Plight replied to her.
I laughed a little and prepared a satchel for them to take to the kids, I also wrote a quick note to Eluvian about our progress and preparations. I told Plight and Sienna the way to get to their hideout and the way to get inside. Along with what to say. Sienna was delighted by the codes.
I asked Alexion to mind the door when they get back so he could let them in. Then, I excused myself to one of the bedrooms. I took out my communication scroll and fear wracked my body. But I stamped it down. I needed to inform Mills about the pregnancy. I was also considering concealing it from my parents. But I'd make up my mind on that when I saw them.
I unscrolled the Sending scroll and stated my name, then Mills' names. Mills, Nathan Denoir.
The spell lit up and the magic began to connect. After a moment, he accepted the connection.
="Are you busy?" I ask.
"No, I'm not busy. How are you?" Mills asked.
"Scared." I admitted. "We reached East Haven. Things are going well."
"Well, that's good. Why are you scared?" He asked.
"Well... "I hesitated, "Neither of us used any prevention method and I didn't think to use after care..."
"No, I suppose we didn't." He replied. "Well we won't know if anything came about from that for at least, what? Another couple of weeks?"
"Would've been, yeah..." I said. "But I.. I am.. pregnant. Someone used a magic item that detects vulnerabilities on me and discovered it. And Sienna cast Identify on me and it confirmed."
"Oh." He said. "Well, we were certainly not prepared for that."
"I don't know if you are aware but there are.. methods to end it, especially so early." I tell him. I felt vaguely ill at mentioning it.
"Is that.. something you really want to do?" He asked.
"I-I don't know, Mills. The child would be Kalashtar. Which means that they'll be plagued by nightmares every sleep their entire lives." I said.
"That does sound pretty bad." Mills said. "But, is it something you'd be able to help them through?"
"Theoretically. I don't have a typical Kalashtar upbringing, and even Adelaide has gone mad, as do most Kalashtar who aren't bound in a monastery." I replied.
"Well, why don't we go to a monastery and get some tips?" He suggested.
"You want the child?" I asked. Shocked.
"As you may have guessed, I am not one for giving up." Mills said.
"You're in hiding." I point out. "It's going to be even more dangerous."
"In what regard will it be more dangerous?" Mills said.
"I'll have to inform my Dad for one thing." I say. "Having a child makes a vulnerable target to harm you with. And that's both ways, because your father hates me."
"My father is a fool." He replied with a sigh. "Do you not want this child? I understand your hesitation due to Vakri, but I want to know if there is more to your hesitation that to pass.. Vakri on."
"Not exactly, no. It may be fair to say it's exclusively Vakri.." I tell him.
"Give me.. some time. Maybe I can find someone to sever the connection, or at least prevent it from being passed on." Mills said.
"Don't make any deals or do anything risky." I tell him. "I'm sure my Dad may know something, or can find it. I'll try to avoid fights, for now."
"Yes, I was going to say you stay safe. We'll figure this out." Mills said.
"Are you sure you want to be a father?" I ask, softly.
"Positive." He replied.
"Why?" I asked, baffled.
"I've always felt that once I met the one I wanted to spend my life with that it would be our goal, our dream to make a family abd to grow and share our values with them. When I met you, it felt more like it was becoming a reality." Mills said.
".. I kinda hate being so far from you right now." I say, "We'll have the baby. I'll get over being scared with time."
"I find myself despising the distance between us as well. You'll have to make up for it when you get back." He said.
"If I can escape the family home, I shall." I smiled. "Unfortunately, I am incredibly tired from todays events."
"Well, sitting here doing magic won't help you. You get some rest. I will begin my hunt for knowledge." Mills said.
"Try Tilton, he's extremely smart, and Bibs. See you soon." I tell him.
"Indeed, I will see you soon. I will try Tibin, too." Mills said.
"Good night." I say.=
The connection faded immediately. With the conversation done, I was still scared, but less so. I went downstairs, saw Tyra reading a book that we had in the house. Alexion was manning the door.
Noting this, I started to enter the room. But changed my mind. I went back to the room and fell deeply asleep. With the dogs at my side.
In the morning, I woke groggily and went to bathe. I noted with exasperation that I'd slept past my usual wake up time. So I washed myself quickly.
As I came downstairs, Plight said, "Good morning. You seem to have slept well. Which is good. You'll need the energy."
I gave a vaguely disgusted look to him and said, "Plight, do you know much bout pregnancy?"
"Not... no. No. Not at all. Do you not need energy? Sleep? Hm.." His voice trailed off.
"Well, I suppose I can tell you about it as we go. Do you know the mortality rate of pregnant women, or women who are giving birth?" I ask him.
"Ah.. mm. No." He said.
"It's very high. My chances are better because my father will make sure of that, but there is still a sixty percent chance I die birthing the child." I tell him.
"I don't like this anymore." Plight said.
"My mom almost died when Jasper was born. She was on bed rest for an entire month after the twins were born, and she still tires faster than before she had them." I tell him.
"I need to find some books and do some reading." Plight said.
"That can wait, Sweetling. We have the books available at the Hearthry Estate. But Plight, since I am going to have this child, will you be their godfather? A godfather is someone who takes place of the parent should they pass." I tell him.
"Are...are you sure?" Plight asked. "I'm kind of a permanent god father if that's what you go with."
"Yes. I am sure. I would like you to be family to my child, regardless of my situation." I tell him.
"I would be happy to be a part of their lives." Plight said.
I gave him a hug and said, "I am sorry for scaring you, Deerling. I'll be sure to live."
"A healer being nearby her will make it more likely for her to have minimal ill effects from pregnancy or birth. Humans have nine months before they give birth, isn't it?" Sienna asked.
"Yes. Nine months." I nod. "That's not long to get my town up and running efficiently."
"I'm not sure if that's short or long." Sienna commented.
"Both." Alexion said.
I got to work forging the letter from the Desquins, as we had breakfast and fed the dogs. Once I'd finished it, I looked it over and sealed it with wax. Fortunately I know what the Desquin emblem looks like by heart. Once done, I asked where Tyra was. They weren't sure. She'd left early in the morning.
As we went outside, I told the siblings to go take positions near the warehouse where they won't be seen, and told the dogs to stay near them. I took Plight with me to deliver the letter to the captain of the guard. He was very snippy when we went in. Insisted he didn't have time to see to us... Until I gave him the letter. He blanched, opened it, and looked it over.
He paled further and he snapped some orders to gather all the men, off duty or otherwise and head over to the Western warehouse. The boss was coming for inspection. The captain ushered us out and towards the warehouse. Escorting us personally. I told Plight mentally to excuse himself and set up a good location. With or without Tyra, this plan would be seen through.
Once he'd done so, the captain and I stood before the damaged warehouse. I took on an authoritative attitude and looked at him.
"What happened here?" I demanded to know. "What was being housed here?"
"We were investigating into that this morning." He said, rubbing the back of his neck, "We don't have much information yet..."
"That's not a good look for either of us, what have you discovered?" I asked.
He hedged quite a bit, trying to avoid answering. It's a good thing I'm used to acting like a noble. Otherwise, this sham wouldn't work. I waited as the men gathered in their uniforms, weapons on their backs and sides.
Twenty, thirty-six, fifty-three, sixty-eight uniforms guards lined before the warehouse. After a pause, a single more pale guard sprinted up, bowed to me, and whispered to the captain. He paled once more.
"Is this all your men?" I demanded. Placing my hands on my hips. "Earl and Countess Desquin shall be here any minute now."
"Right, Lady, but it appears someone has been killing my men in their sleep... Foul play is definitely expected. We should reschedule with the Earl." He said. "Yes, it is likely unsafe for them. This would give us time to get the town in line once more." He gave a polite and encouraging smile.
I curled some hair around my fingers, signaling my companions to begin. "Show me to your office. This requires investigating." I said.
By the time I finished my sentence, two explosions went off simultaneously. I teleported away, into the building. The right explosion took them all out, with the exception of four guards and the captain who were barely outside of the circle. The left explosion left nine alive within the circle and two men outside. Unexpectedly, and other explosion went off, killing those men and setting the area on fire.
Then Sienna hit the captain and two men with another fireball, killing the men and leaving the fleeing captain barely alive, for Plight to finish. No mercy. Alexion fire bolted another, and Tyra walked into view, casually chopping through a guard. It didn't take much for the final three men to also die.
I collected the keys from the guard captain, along with their weapons. Then went to the guard house, and into his office. Where I went through all the papers there, got proof of their misconducts, which was extensive. And got the book Eluvian had requested.
Smiling, I asked Alexion to escort my citizens to their new home, writing out a letter to Emel and one to Mills with the fifteen almost slaves and the thirty-seven children and twenty-two cripples that were going to be present. I sent the two scrolls with Alexion, the fire one for Mills and the other for the entrance to the cave, and told him we'd be following him tomorrow or the day after at latest. Alexion agreed to go with them.
With his acceptance, I led our group into the thieves guild's hide out and presented Eluvian with the book she'd requested. She'd already had her people packed up, so it just took some helping hands, and we soon had all my new citizens out the North gate. I gave Alexion enough coin to get the carts up and going again in the next morning, and set the carts up to go, telling them to not stop till nightfall. I then handed over the foodstuffs I'd acquired for them and their journey, and to hold them over once they reached their new home.
Speaking of, I gave Alexion enough gold to also renegotiate with Kaz, with a letter containing our new numbers, as well as requesting Alexion hunt a bit for them before we got back. Amazingly, Tyra has a suggestion to make meals easier on Kaz and our people, she wrote down a recipe for 'noodles', she'd called it. And, separately, how to prepare them. He agreed to my request and off they went, with the dogs, as I sent them along with Alexion.
With that done, we returned to Archimedes, with Tyra still following us. I honestly wanted to try the noodles she'd written down.
"Hiya, Archimedes." I greeted him. It was an hour to lunch time now.
"Welcome back, I've heard news. Let me see those insignias." Archimedes said.
I took out all thirty-one insignias, and placed them on his counter.
He inspected a couple of them, then reached into his pocket that doesn't contain Carl, and place 31 platinum's on the counter. That equaled 3100 gold. I accepted the platinum, then split it between us, Tyra refused payment. Which just made her more odd to me. Sienna would hold onto her brother's money for him. Plight initially refused, too. but I forced it on him.
"Is there anything else we can do for you Archimedes?" I asked. "We're about set off for the Capital."
"Ah, the Capital. So many fond.. You know, there is something." He said.
"Yes?" I asked.
"If you would, keep an eye out for the stars." He raised his arm and pointed at a single star that was on his robe. "This robe was filled with many stars. But I seem to have lost them. Each star represents a lifetime of memories, and I would love to have them back."
"We'll keep an eye out for them, any clue where they are?" Sienna asked.
"Oh, I am afraid they are everywhere." He replied.
"How many?" Tyra asked.
"Fifty, I think." Archimedes replied.
Tyra reached into her bag and removed something, offering it to him. "Is this one?" She asked, opening her hand towards him.
He gently picked it up and stared at it intently for a moment. "I believe this was back in the Underdark. Those were some fine adventures."
"It was, yes. Near some ruins under the mountain." Tyra said.
"These memories are from some time ago. But I am glad to have them back." He said.
"Have a good day." I say, leaving.
"Yes, I hope you all have a wonderful day. I'm gonna get lost in thought for a while." He said, waving as we went.
"Let's get to the Capital, then." I say.
Sienna summoned a giant elk for is all to ride. It laid down to allow us to climb aboard and we set off to the Capital's gates, it was uneventful. We unmounted, she dismissed her mount, and we entered. Being checked was annoying, but we got in quickly enough. Once inside we headed straight for the Desquins.
Ignoring what is polite, I entered their estate with my party. Directly going to Earl Desquin's study. The butler did consider stopping me, but saw the cat with me and decided it wasn't worth his life.
Once I'd entered, Therdeo Desquin looked up from his papers with a small frown, which morphed into a bright smile. "Sarial, good to see you, girl. I heard you've become an adventurer, and a hearty party you've got, indeed!"
I smiled in return, and said, "Good to see you, too Earl Desquin. It's been too long."
"To what do I owe this pleasure, sweet child?" He asked.
"Ill tidings I am afraid." I said, and I withdrew the papers I'd taken from the office.
With a concerned expression he accepted the papers from me. Horror slowly came across his face and he called for his butler. "This must be rectified!" He said, aghast. "How else will we be able to pass you our lands but to clear it well!"
"My Lord, we killed every guard and thug there. We just needed to alert you so you can get good people in." I informed him.
"Gracious. Henrick, please get them rewards. And get the security detail in here. I must hire more guards." He said.
The butler was efficient, see us rewarded, and out the door, with the security and guards heading to the office at the same time.
"Let's snag some lunch then go visit Dean." I said. When no one disagreed, we did just that.
Stopping by a lovely place to have lunch, I noted Tyra had a wistful look on her face. "You alright, Tyra?" I asked.
"Hm? I am fine." She answered.
"I understand Leonin language just as well as I understand common." I inform her.
"Unusual. But neat." She said. She doesn't seem to like talking much. She's pretty unfriendly.
Sienna seemed to take every chance to lean on Plight, or touch him, I noticed amused. She may have a crush on my quiet friend.
After we'd eaten, I paid for our meal and we headed for the slums. It didn't take long to get to Dean's place, especially after I gave the sign Dean taught me to not get robbed. I knocked the special knock to let him know it was me.
I told my companions mentally, 'Not a single word about my pregnancy. To anyone.' Tyra hadn't heard my mental voice before, I realized as she stiffened with a sharp inhale of breath. I looked at her apologetically.
It took a moment, but he opened the door quickly. Then eyes my companions. "Do I need to stab some people?" He asked after a moment.
"No. They're mostly friends." I said.
"Mostly?" He asked, raising an eyebrow and letting us in.
As soon as we'd all entered, he shut the door tightly and locked up. "Yes. Tyra I just met yesterday. She helped me a lot, though. And Plight is my brother. Sienna is a friend."
"An odd brother." Dean commented. "What can I do for you?"
"You got my letters?" I ask.
"Yes. An interesting idea you have." He said.
"Will you help me? I would like someone I can trust managing the people by the laws I set. Which currently are pretty simple. I have twenty sort of guards and a captain, that had been bandits. In total I have ninety-five citizens now. Majorally, East Haven's thieves guild. I also think Eluvian would trust you more than she would I...." My voice trailed off as he raised his hand to silence me.
"You ramble, Saria. Yes, I will help you. Write your laws and punishments and I will help you keep them in line." Dean said.
"Thank you, Dean. I'll pay you of course. And I wouldn't mind whatever you decide to do on the side as long as it doesn't negatively impact the citizens. I can offer twice Haril's pay." I tell him.
"That'll be fine." He shrugged.
I wrote out the laws and punishments like he asked. He looked them over and said "These just seem like general 'don't be a dick.' Is this really it?"
"Currently, yes." I nodded. "I need to go let my parents know I'm home for now. You can get there when you can, but I'd like it to be within the next week. Eluvian will be there the day after tomorrow." I showed him a mental image of her face.
He raised an eyebrow and said, "Alright. I'll do what I can, Saria."
I nodded to him and my group and I left his home, to head to mine.