A spell from Dunlan had caused the metal pellets to erupt from the crates. As they spiralled, Dunlan plucked random pieces from the air. It was a theatrical way to conduct a random contents check. True Sight had no issues showing her the spell’s structure, but it wasn’t part of any list she’d learnt. The only hiccup came when he’d asked for confirmation of her understanding of their terms before signing the agreement. Written in Khuzdul, the document was a scroll filled with the sharp-edged runes Natsal had used and was meaningless to her. Jaixar had read the document aloud, and though Amdirlain listened, she’d also followed Jaixar’s thoughts. Once done, Jaixar made quick to seal the crates, and Dunlan provided a receipt for the consignment and his assessment.

“So the guards’ code would be in Khuzdul?” asked Amdirlain.

“Yes, it is,” Dunlan confirmed ruefully.

Guess I should keep knowledge points in reserve.

“I’ll stick by Jaixar then if I need to venture out before I depart,” said Amdirlain.

“I intend to drop by the High Crafter and suggest Natsal or Trinax pay a fine for incomplete work,” Dunlan stated firmly, embers of anger heating his gaze.

“Do your facilities also include storage areas for account holders?” Amdirlain asked to distract his ire.

“Of course, Gildenshield has very secure vault facilities available to account holders for a nominal fee. Separate, of course, to our storage of coinage, which attracts no such fees,” replied Dunlan, with the confidence of an experienced salesman. “We can provide plans for securing goods for years, decades, or centuries as required.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Amdirlain assured him with a smile.

With that, they departed as business-like as they had arrived. The Master Assessor’s spell hoisted the crates out the door in an effortless motion. The sounds from within made it clear the contents had lifted the crates rather than being lifted by them.

“Why did you ask about vaults?” enquired Jaixar; as she returned to work, Amdirlain put the breakfast loaf she left on the bench hours before next to her.

When Jaixar’s gaze looked between them uncertainly, Amdirlain moved to retrieve the geode. Jaixar pulled the loaf from the bag and pulled a chunk free to eat the moment she did. The reluctant expression earned an eye-roll as Amdirlain returned to her spot perched on the bench.

“I was thinking about hiring one we could both access. Then I could leave the geodes there and you’d be able to retrieve more as you progress,” said Amdirlain.

“Once I get enough skill to make a dimensional vault, it won’t be an issue,” Jaixar said confidently, Amdirlain just smiled at her.

With the workshop remaining closed up while Jaixar worked on the geodes, the knock hours later made Jaixar jump in surprise. When Amdirlain had far-viewed the exterior corridor, she reappeared by the door and flung it open the moment it was unlatched. Yngvarr, Alfarr, Verdandi and a young man standing behind her ignored in the moment as the young lady outside gave her a surprised smile. The delight glowed in her azure-blue gaze as Amdirlain stepped forward to hug her. Livia stood barely taller than Amdirlain remembered her human form had been; a hundred sixty-two centimetres - and extremely lithe in build. Her pixie-like features were still delicate, though showing a graceful maturity and determination.

“At least you didn’t climb onto my shoulders this time,” Amdirlain murmured, as they released each other from the long hug.

“I’m a little old for that now. I like the new name, and your aura is beautiful now the conflict in it is all gone,” replied Livia calmly, as she glanced between Amdirlain and the others. “Gunnarr, this is Moðir. Amdirlain, this is Gunnarr.”

The young man she introduced was a fraction under two metres tall and wore leather armour reinforced with steel discs. Mana woven through them showed Divine Blessings providing additional protection rather than an Artificer’s runic pattern. The braid he wore pulled his auburn hair away from his face, giving Amdirlain an unrestricted view of his sturdy features, leaf-green eyes, and a broad smile. His blocky jawline and the general ruggedness of his features made his Norse heritage clear.

“I thought you’d be adventuring,” Amdirlain said to Livia before she carefully clasped the young’s man forearm. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m sure we’ll have lots to talk about Gunnarr.”

“Moðir, don’t do that,” Livia said, poking her in the shoulder to emphasise each word.

“We were adventuring, but Yngvarr showed up where we were staying and told Livia you were here. The team we’re mentoring is resting and training after some initial missions for the guild,” responded Gunnarr, purposefully keeping a straight face.

“Come in; I’ll introduce you all to Jaixar,” Amdirlain said as she moved out of the doorway and motioned for them to follow. “We’ve some catching up and planning to do. I’m sure your original plans hadn’t included resting long.”

They’d ended up in a tavern that Verdandi had remembered from her questing days, with Yngvarr having insisted Jaixar join them. Despite Jaixar’s protests, he’d won that argument by the pure cheat of talking about the place’s mead. With the private dining room hired, they didn’t have to worry about prying ears, and they’d spent hours catching up and planning. Dinner had come and gone and they were still in discussions over a good starting point for Jaixar’s endeavours.

“Torm received a promotion,” Verdandi told Amdirlain and dragged her attention away from their discussion.

“I’m sure Týr rewarded him for his efforts suitably.” replied Amdirlain, a smile lighting her face at Verdandi’s news.

“The promotion didn’t come from Týr, it came from the Titan through an evolution,” countered Verdandi.

“Oh,” uttered Amdirlain, wide-eyed in surprise.

“An Angel called a Planetar, the Norse Pantheon hasn’t seen one previously, and apparently neither had any other Pantheon that were consulted,” Verdandi stated. “Unfortunately, it means he has similar restrictions to yourself in visiting the Material Plane. At present he’s helping clean the border of remaining Slaadi raiders.”

“Goodness,” proclaimed Amdirlain. Her mind spun as she wondered what they’d done.

Verdandi waited for her surprise to ease taking a drink of mead as she waited.

“You’ve spoken about plans for the Adventurers’ Guild, the deal with Jaixar, but nothing about your intentions,” Verdandi enquired, the concern in her gaze fixing on Amdirlain.

“Ternòx and Àluga are going to be my focus for a bit. Freeing Lómë, and continuing to destroy Set’s resources in Àluga,” replied Amdirlain, with a nod as Verdandi’s concern grew. “Yes, I’ll take it carefully since I don’t know if the Sisterhood are still present there.”

“Several teams including Sagga’s have taken over Moke’s work finding Temples and other sites,” advised Verdandi. “he’s co-ordinating them from Memphis and has been employing other eyes. But I believe the plan called for your ability to get into them?”

“I should still be able to,” said Amdirlain. “It will require more preparation, but we need to confirm enough locations to hurt him.”

“Eivor is busy being a mother and teacher. Aggie is, I understand, seeking a much higher level before she takes on a High Priest Prestige Class. With those being your strongest Priests at present, how are you intending to get onto the Material Plane?” asked Verdandi.

“I’ll build up enough wealth to construct a portal solid enough for me to get through. Worst case, if that doesn’t work, I’ll look to hire Mortal mercenary bands to smash them in one hit,” Amdirlain responded. Her matter-of-fact tone earned a wary look from Verdandi.

“You might not find mercenary bands that would go against his Church,” Verdandi advised. The smile that Amdirlain gave her in reply earned a stern look.

“I didn’t say they’d be from the ten kingdoms. You can find lots of things in the Exchange, which apparently includes mercenaries that wander between planets. Some of them specialise in tackling forces of Dark Powers and Demons. Even then, they only care about what they’re being paid and the loot they can gain,” advised Amdirlain.

“Be careful what you unleash, Amdirlain. If they’re too strong, they might see the whole of the ten kingdoms as a place to pillage,” Verdandi cautioned, her expression calm despite the weight of her words.

“I’ll keep the second payment large enough to persuade them to behave,” argued Amdirlain. “You can have someone check them to make sure you’re happy with them before I unleash the dogs of war. Then again, considering what I’ve learnt, maybe I need to bring in someone to clean some houses.”

“What do you mean?” Verdandi asked warily, as she frowned at Amdirlain.

“What do I mean? Aggie, just for starters, and I’m sure I can find plenty of other examples. The fucking Greek pantheon is deliberately, causing trouble in Judgement at present. Things will get worse with them,” predicted Amdirlain.

“I’ve not heard of anything happening,” replied Verdandi softly.

“The Pantheons’ are likely trying to keep a lid on it. But there was a Greek patrol leader baiting at both Sekhmet’s and Lada’s patrols, and I’ve seen one hassling Týr’s as well,” explained Amdirlain. Even thinking on the patrol leader’s attitude made her fists clench. “Makes me wonder if it’s not really internal issues but more events like the Slaadi pressure on other borders. What other trouble are they trying to take advantage of? Or have set up?”

“Yes, but among their worshippers are people like Aggie. Would you want them victims in such fighting?” asked Verdandi.

“I know, that’s what makes me furious. They don’t care about Mortals or Petitioners just about their own jollies,” growled Amdirlain, taking a deep breath to distract her focus. “But you know something, it’s not only about the Souls in service to them today. It’s about the ones born in a year, or a century from now. Set is my target for now, but they’d best change their ways.”

“And if they don’t?”

The concern on Verdandi’s face made Amdirlain pause and lock gazes with her before she replied.

“While I’ve learnt I can’t protect everyone without crippling their growth, that doesn’t mean I can’t challenge them to see further. I don’t have to kill a God’s worshippers for them to end up with none. All the Pantheons seem to stick mostly to their original peoples, though some have reached outside the original bloodlines. Why is that? I don’t have any such restrictions on me. No Soul should be at the mercy of a malicious whim when a supposed God of Light is involved. Have you considered the impact of actual Justice among the Greek communities?”

Verdandi’s thoughtful gaze prompted Amdirlain to stop and sip her mead as the High Justice sat in quiet contemplation.

“You folks are planning to go back to the inn afterwards, correct?” Amdirlain asked, pulling Livia’s attention from their planning.

“Yes, why?” asked Livia.

“Let’s see if it has a courtyard we can use,” Amdirlain said, and Livia’s eyes lit up.

“I hope he’s treating you right,” Amdirlain stated when they had the courtyard alone.

“Multiples of right, oh so much right,” Livia said, and gave Amdirlain a naughty smile, before she laughed hard as Amdirlain looked sheepish.

“That wasn’t what I meant,” muttered Amdirlain, and Livia laughed harder.

When Livia settled down at last, she gave Amdirlain a reassuring look and considered what to say.

“He accepts me for who I am, and I accept him. Things aren’t perfect, sometimes we argue, but we try to listen to each other’s concerns,” reassured Livia, resisting the urge to tease Amdirlain further. “It helps that I can see his aura, it lets me tell if my explanations are making sense, and I can see when he is trying.”

“Men are frequently trying,” agreed Amdirlain, and earned a smile from Livia. “I’m sorry I was away for so long.”

“Like either of us could’ve changed that,” Livia scolded, waving a finger at her in mock sternness. “I still remember sitting on your lap looking up at the night sky. It felt so peaceful, even as you wished, with all your heart to give me back my life. I didn’t get that life back, instead I got one that allowed me choices. We take downtime during the winters, maybe we’ll come here so we can catch up with you.”

“What Classes did you end up taking?” asked Amdirlain, deliberately changing the subject but not tempted to peek. “Yngvarr said you had four, but I didn’t want to talk about it second hand.”

“Monk, Fighter, Wizard, and Priest. Týr didn’t object to me already being a Wizard, and Priest allows me to provide other help to people. Over level twenty in each class, it’s been a busy few seasons,” admitted Livia.

“I could-” Amdirlain started.

“No, I’ll handle levelling,” interjected Livia, and waved her off. “You need to work on your plans. I’ll use the chance you gave me to stand on my own two feet, and teach others to stand on theirs.”

Livia gave her a smile, and another hug before they got down to the reason they’d taken time alone - sparring.

Amdirlain looked around the Gildenshield’s foyer the next day with more than a bit of scepticism. It was quite a sight to see with solid red polished granite flooring and marble railings. Gold marble pillars veined with ivory supported an arched ceiling that rose just over three stories. The reception desk counter was black marble with silver veins tastefully edged in mithril filigree, while the guards around the perimeter were all dressed in mithril plate armour.

“I can see where the seven per cent goes to, the cost of wear and tear in this place,” Amdirlain observed, taking in the enchantments within the guards’ armour.

“Damn,” muttered Jaixar, and looked at her work gear yet again.

“Next time, put the thumbs screws in and go for five,” suggested Amdirlain, tempted to turn her clothes into something punk.

“Five, what sandstone; I’ll go for two,” grumbled Jaixar, as she considered the guards. “Though paying the guards is likely the costly bit.”

“True, security can fill a lot of overhead,” Amdirlain said, as she mentally compared it to the few fancy shops she’d ever visited. “A place setup to impress on bidders that the goods here are expensive?”

“Maybe,” conceded Jaixar, as they waited for the receptionist messenger to return. “Your friends gone again already?”

“They’ll be in touch with you,” reassured Amdirlain. “Too many things going on at present. Livia’s team is inexperienced, and she didn’t want to leave four youngsters alone in a strange town longer than a day.”

Amdirlain spotted the receptionist’s messenger only a moment before Dunlan appeared and waved for them to come up to the upper balcony.

“Looks like we’re on,” Amdirlain said, and headed for the stairs. “We’re just getting a storage area for you to access. We’re not selling them directly until you evaluate all of them and separate the crystals.”

“I’d rather be making the new stuff,” grumbled Jaixar, as they climbed the stairs.

“That’s fine if you can get him to cover the evaluation and go for 2 per cent commission,” retorted Amdirlain, and smiled when Jaixar snorted. “You’ll need a month to complete those?”

“At least that. They’re sizeable geodes, is that a problem?” enquired Jaixar, her tone suddenly worried.

“No, not at all. Just means I’ve got plenty of time to deal with other problems before I go prospecting,” Amdirlain replied. “Though I might bring back materials for your use next time, pretty sure we’ll have operating capital covered for years.”

“What did you have in mind?” Jaixar asked suspiciously and paused on the stairs.

“Purified iron or steel,” said Amdirlain, as she considered her options in Àluga.

“Just as long as it’s not scrap from weapons,” grumbled Jaixar.

“I wouldn’t do that to you.”

Amdirlain’s chirpy reply caused Jaixar’s gaze to narrow with suspicion.

Yngvarr - PoV

As Verdandi moved onto another bookshelf, she left more and more gaps behind as she circled the chamber.

“How long are you intending to be gone?” Yngvarr asked.

“As long as the work takes,” Verdandi replied. When he rolled his eyes at her response, she gave him a smile. “‘You can’t rush a tree’s growth’, I believe I’ve heard it said.”

“Something distracted you after the dinner. What scheme has she got you involved in?” persisted Yngvarr.

“No scheme, she only asked me a question,” Verdandi said, and turned to consider him properly. “When I prayed upon it, I felt Týr’s thoughts regard me in return. I’ve served him as a High Justice in Eyrarháls for over a century. Occasionally I’d venture out when needed, but it didn’t really challenge me. Nor challenge my understanding of the needs of Justice, the needs of my Liege.”

“You’ll leave a gap here,” warned Yngvarr.

“Then that will challenge those I leave behind to stand up to fill it. If they do so, it will be good for them as well. It will either confirm I’ve enabled strong and just leadership, or merely hand puppets mouthing the teachings of Týr,” replied Verdandi, and gestured towards the Temple. “If they succeed, I’ll know I’ve done well. If they fail, I can return and seek out the mistakes I made.”

“Where do you plan to go?” Yngvarr enquired, not having heard mention of a destination from her yet in the days since they’d returned.

“Aggie told me about some border towns near the eastern peninsula. Things get rough, both from drunkard Argonauts and their companions who actually endeavour to hold back monsters. I thought I’d take the concept of the Adventurers’ Guild with me, give them standards to meet rather than just a fancy membership to wave. While I’m there, regardless of affiliation, I’ll help the decent ones who help the towns. If townsfolk wish to pray at the Shrine of Týr I’ll establish, that’s fine,” stated Verdandi.

“Are you sure her Charisma hasn’t just bedazzled you to this course?” queried Yngvarr, and his light-hearted tone earned him a glare.

“She scrubbed the moss from this old rock and got her to move again,” replied Verdandi with a smile. “Her prompting or not, I’ll serve Týr and I have no issue with that.”

Yngvarr nodded respectfully and left her to her preparations. As he exited the grounds, he heard more than a few conversations between Priests busy on the division of extra duties that needed to be handled. No one sounded as if they were trying to lay claim to any benefits or authority.

“How’s she doing?” Alfarr asked, as Yngvarr arrived home.

“More energy than I’ve seen her possess in a while,” Yngvarr replied, and sat down beside him and leaned against him. Angling an arm across his body, he let his fingers caress between them where the injury had torn his husband’s life away.

“I think the Song is clearer now,” stated Alfarr, looping an arm around Yngvarr’s shoulder.

Yngvarr just sat and listened, letting the notes sing through him, and after a time nodded against Alfarr’s shoulder.

“There is less distortion to it,” Yngvarr agreed with a sigh.

“Did you tell Verdandi we’re leaving as well?” asked Alfarr, giving him a one-armed hug.

“Not yet. I challenged her reasons instead, and she’s even more determined,” Yngvarr said, closing his eyes and enjoying being held. “I’ll tell her before she goes. Earlier, if my cousin gets here to act as Court Wizard for Þiúðmundr and Ǫlhildr.”

“Are you sure you want to live with Dwarves for a time?” Alfarr asked. “Amdirlain told that tale about them being grumpy at Elves for lack of help, twelve thousand years ago.”

“I’m in less danger of opening my skull on their ceilings than you. Protecting miners from Elementals while they work will give us purpose to push our abilities. I need a good reason to be risking life and limb. Just getting more power doesn’t attract me,” stated Yngvarr, his fingers playing with Alfarr’s shirt. “I want to have more time together, not losing what time we could have had.”

“Why are they mining on the Elemental Plane?” enquired Alfarr, trying to distract Yngvarr from his concerns.

“Stoneheart’s mines are, as I understand it, already deeper than they are comfortable extending them,” Yngvarr stated, and motioned upwards. “They’re establishing new settlements further north along the mountains, but they don’t want to move their capital. The Elemental Planes continually renew themselves, so while it's dangerous, it also provides opportunities they can’t pass up. There are other outposts close to the Quasi-Elemental Plane of Minerals as well, from what Jaixar indicated.”