Rick stood, waiting for Maya’s reply. If she agreed it could be a big step forward for him.

“It’s not a bad idea,” Maya said. “Let me think through the details first. We can talk after that.”

“Sure,” he smiled.

“I will give you a discount,” she smiled back. “See you later.”

She floated up into the air and flew over to the open.

*Ding

[The proficiency of the Skill- Negotiator has increased]

“Okay everyone, thank you for participating. The portals are open,” as she said, a dozen whirling warp gates appeared. “Please step through any of them, and you will reach the place where you were previously”

Everyone looked back at the whirling warp gates.

Rick walked back to the group with a smile on his face.

“What’s with the creepy smile,” Smaira asked punching him lightly.

“What do you guys think of starting a partnership?” Rick asked.

“What do you mean? I thought we were already on the same team,” Jay said.

Rick explained them of his talk with Maya and that she was willing to let people set up shops.

“Then will the portal to the Blessed Exchange be open all the time then?” Dale enquired.

“She said she has to think about all that,” Rick said. He explained, “But we have an opportunity here, we are the only ones to know of this as of now.”

“Is Kir also going to be a partner then?” Dale asked Rick.

“Of course,” Rick replied after a moment of confusion. He had spaced out about who was Kir at being asked suddenly.

“Who is Kir?” Jay asked.

“I have a lot to catch you guys on,” Rick smiled. “Let’s finish this first.”

Dale gave an understanding nod.

“Okay then, count me in,” Dale nodded. “What do you need?”

“For now, just save the Blessed Stones,” Rick said. “I don’t know how much Miss Maya would ask as lease rent.”

“She will definitely get the most she can,” Samira replied with a chuckle.

“That’s true. I feel bad for the poor kid sprouting about justice,” Jay laughed aloud.

“So that’s settled. I will see you guys next time around,” Dale said. He looked at Rick, “Can you tell Kir the thing he wanted, I will have them by the day after tomorrow?”

“So fast?” Rick was shocked. As Kir, he had asked Dale to collect a few beast cores. But within less than a day’s time, he was able to collect at least a few!

“Okay I will let him know,” Rick nodded with a smile.

Dale nodded back and started walking towards the portal.

“Oh, Mr. Dale, do you want a Word Transmission Scroll to, you know, stay in touch with them?” Rick called after him.

“No,” he replied without even pausing. “I will tell you if I need something.”

Rick watched Dale with an amused look. He walked into the portal and disappeared.

With Dale gone, Samira gave Rick a questioning look.

“Jay, can you give us a moment?” Rick requested. He did not want to share everything with Jay around.

“Aah! I am hurt,” Jay said with a smile. “See you later Rick. I will wait by the cliff Samira.”

Jay walked into the portal and disappeared as well.

“So what’s up?” Samira asked.

“So much,” Rick said. He told her of everything that had happened till then from becoming a Mage to leaning the Hot Hands Spell.

When he told her about Pip, Samira could not stop herself and let out a squeak.

“I want one too!” she said.

“Then I went back to the Library,” Rick continued ignoring his sister. He continued telling her about the Celestial Devotees, the Golem Mask and finally about who Kir’s identity.

“Don’t tell anyone that you are Kir. No one, not even Jay,” she said. When she saw Rick’s look of concern she explained, “I trust him. But its good to have a few surprises for allies as well.”

He nodded silently. He contemplated whether to tell her sister about the Kings again, but just like last time decided against it.

“Anyway, be careful of those Celestial whatever,” Samira continued. “And make a few more masks if you can.”

“Ya I will do that. I will make a few golems for you and Jay too,” Rick said.

“Only if you can make them stronger,” Samira smiled. “I think I will be able to destroy your golems right now with just a couple of punches.”

"Before I forget, how was the Grimwar Dungeon?" Rick asked.

Grimwar was the necromancer who had one of the volumes of the Lemegeton. It was only after Samira and Jay cleared it out that he got back the volume.

"Nothing much. He was stronger than we anticipated but then you can't anticipate everything to go smoothly, can you. Why are you asking about it?" she said.

"Nothing, nothing," he said. After a moment he asked, "How was the reward? Must have been good right?"

"Not at all," Samira said recalling in disappointment, "My stats increase by quite a bit. But that guy had nothing on him."

Rick nodded apologetically.

Rick asked her to keep the Beast Cores for him and not throw them away. She asked Rick to try making a talisman with which they could group text.

“I don’t think your Hot Hands spell is useless. Maybe you can use it creatively if you try,” she said.

There were only a dozen people left now. Among them were a few of the Celestial Devotees and Hands as well.

“Be careful, they are quite strong. And now that they know we know each other, they will go after you as well,” Rick warned.

“That Hands seem to be mingling with them as well,” she observed. Hands was having an enthralled conversation with one of the Devotees.

“Enemy’s enemy,” Rick smiled.

He talked with Samira for a couple more minute before Maya’s irritated voice interrupted them.

“Please don’t just stand around and leave,” she said with a blatantly fake smile.

No one moved.

“Five minutes. Whoever is still not gone, is banned from the next auction,” Maya flared at being ignored.

This time no one ignored her and immediately rushed to the portals. Rick bid Samira goodbye and left as well.

“Bye guys, see you next time,” Maya said as the last person disappeared through the portal.

.

---

As Rick walked through the portal, he felt a force pulling him just like before and in the next moment he was standing back in the Private Study.

He looked around to see the afternoon sky beating down. He walked to the table and picket by his wristwatch. Almost a day had passed by since the time he entered the portal to go to the Blessed Exchange.

“It would be so much better if time stopped in the Blessed Exchange,” Rick whispered to himself.

After knowing the time a sudden wave of exhaustion hit him. It had been ages since he had last taken a break.

Even though his body did not need as much rest after the events following the Heaven’s Dictate, he was still reaching his limits.

With heavy eye-lids, he walked to the bed. Even though it was only a thin mattress, for him, it was better than a King sized bed in a suit right now.

“Wasn’t Pip sleeping here as well?” Rick thought as he looked down.

Suddenly a foreboding thought appeared in his mind.

“Pip!” he shouted as he ran out from the shack.

“Peep! Peep!” she called back.

He walked out to see Pip rushing towards him. She trotted towards him at full speed and pecked at his leg.

“Peep! Peep! Peep!” she screeched.

“Sorry,” Rick said, “You were asleep. I am back now.”

Rick picked her up and gave her a hug. Pip was angry, but at least his worst fears had not come true.

“Don’t worry. Next time, I will take you as well,” he promised.

“Peep!” (Thank You!) she said.

“You don’t need to thank me. I should have taken you this time,” Rick said putting her back down.

“Peep! Peep!” she said nodding her head no.

“Peep! Peep! Peep!” (Thank you for the Flame Fiend food. It was delicious) she said with a hop to show her happiness.

At the same time, the smile on Rick’s face disappeared.