Several hours later, the cavalcade of carriages and soldiers take a fork in the road toward the fort of Astrumane. This three-story fortified structure has an outer wall that stretches a quarter mile around the main fortification. The building at the center houses several contingents of Knights as well as a small civilian population. Just shy of a full towns size. Several houses are constructed in the open space between the fort proper and the walls. Enough for a stable and smithy that can be seen through entrance. The gate itself stretches two stories to the top of the wall. Deacon noticed upon approach that a large hole was blown through the wall with several people rushing to patch it up from the inside of the wall.

“Did you see the ballistae emplacements on top of the wall? What would cause them to set those up?” asked a random Knight as he passed through the gates.

“What is happening here?” Deacon asked Typhus.

“I sent my shadow on ahead to do some scouting. He’s confused.” Typhus said with a frown on his face. Suddenly the carriage stopped, and they all piled out. Looking around they could see burned out homes signs of battle but no enemies.

“Something went terribly wrong here.” Tantus said.

“Definitely.” Deacon replied.

“You all get comfortable; the Minister will be back shortly after he gets a report of events.” Said one of his Knights.

So immediately Deacon started exploring the new environment. Armand, after leaving his carriage, jogged forward toward the main fort with Elle following closely behind. Daskus and his team did not stray far from their equipment. Ralph, Amanda, and Tantus started to follow after Deacon before being stopped by Typhus.

“Keep an eye on him. You know what will happen if he gets caught up in something. We’ll find out there was a hidden astral ballroom full of demons or some other such nonsense. Keep him out of trouble.” Typhus said as he climbed back into the carriage.

“Is there an astral ballroom full of demons?” Tantus asked wide eyed.

“Just an example, kid. By the ten hells, get going.” Typhus said.

Deacon made his way over to the wall where he found two people carrying a heavy slab of newly carved stone between them. He interrupted them by lifting the stone with one hand and gesturing for them to get another. Deacon proceeded to help the people patch the wall by managing the heavy stuff. At one point he grabbed a falling tool with Polterheist returning it to the person who dropped it all while holding a slab of stone in place. Deacon focused on his breathing technique while performing minor feats of strength in front of the workers. After a while Ralph and Tantus decided to pitch in. Tantus helped mix mortar and Ralph held stones in place. With their help, the wall was patched up in short order. After they received the gratitude of the workers all three of them received a prompt.

New Trade Skill Learned: Masonry Level One- Masonry is the building of structures from individual units, which are often laid in and bound together by mortar. Creating structures from higher grade materials is the only way to increase this skill.

“What?” Tantus asked staring blankly into space.

“Did you learn Masonry too?” Deacon asked.

“We all did. That shouldn’t be possible. It was only forty-five minutes of work. Unless…” Ralph trailed off as the foreman of the reconstruction team walked up to them.

“Unless you have a high-level Mason collaborating with you. Greetings, I’m civilian contractor Earl Tirebrook. Thank you for your help. I assumed when your wagon train came in that you were noble travelers looking for a safe place to spend the night. I’m glad I was wrong.” Said Earl.

“Not a problem. We are actually on our way to the capital when we ran into a monster on the road. The Minister of the Interior wanted to check in.” Ralph said.

“Oh the minister is here is he. Maybe our reinforcements will show up after all.” Replied Earl.

“What exactly happened here?” Deacon asked.

“Well we’ve been attacked every night by Rock Trolls and various other monsters. Its been ten days straight. No one knows where they come from, and the bodies just vanish after some time. Very strange.” Earl answered.

“Didn’t one of the riders say he couldn’t find his Rock Troll hide trophy?” Amanda asked making herself known now that the hard work was done.

“I heard that while we were on the road. This sounds eerily like summoning magic to me. The creatures aren’t real and when the spell ends, they vanish.” Tantus said.

“So your theory is magic user in the forest?” Deacon asked.

“I wasn’t here. It’s just a theory.” Tantus replied.

“This is exactly what Typhus was talking about. Back to the carriages. All of you.” Amanda said making a shooing motion.

“Rude!” Said Deacon.

“Well thank you for your help in any case. Enjoy your trip.” Earl waved goodbye as the party turned back to the carriages. When they arrived the configuration of the train was different. The carriage the Cardinal Unit was riding in has been pulled off the road and the horses stabled. Daskus and Lord Pentecost was arguing up at the front when a bell started ringing. It was only then they noticed the sun was hanging low over Iron Mountain in the distance. The gates slammed shut stopping the quibbling nobles.

“Where were you, they wanted to leave twenty minutes ago?” Typhus asked popping his head out of the carriage.

“This place isn’t that big; couldn’t send a runner?” Deacon asked.

“Hey, we did what you asked. He didn’t get in trouble. In fact we all learned a new trade skill.” Tantus replied puffing out his chest.

“Well we are stuck here now. They won’t open the gates until morning.” Typhus scoffed. Both Daskus and Lord Pentecost stomped their way back to the main building grumbling the whole time.

“We have secured a room for your party, Champion.” Came the voice of Wotan, Lord Pentecost’s aid. His voice came from nowhere and startled everyone there.

“Ten hells man, announce yourself. Heart almost jumped out of my chest.” Ralph said easing his hand off his sword.

“My apologies, being in the service of nobility, it is often more advantageous to go unnoticed.” Wotan said his eyes landing on Deacon.

“Uh huh.” Deacon said picking up what Wotan was putting down.

“May I accompany you to your quarters? I haven’t properly thanked you for saving our lives at dinner.” Wotan asked.

“You are very welcome.” Deacon responded finally getting some gratitude from the people who work for the Minister.

“I hope you realize the Minister knows you have been the one tying his boots together. He hasn’t figured out how yet, but he fumes about it nightly.” Wotan commented.

“Whatever do you mean?” Deacon said with sharks grin on his face.

“Perhaps you could take a less combative posture when dealing with him. I know his first impression was less than acceptable, but he is in charge of the Kingdom’s safety. A modicum of respect is expected.” Wotan said.

“Hard pass. He’s made his bed and now he’s got to lie in it.” Deacon said.

“Unfortunate, but I understand. What do you plan to do in the capital once we reach it?” Wotan asked.

“Never been. I have a business partner that went out that way. I hope to catch up to him and see what opportunities are available.” Deacon replied. At this point they were almost in the building and his team are walking a respectful distance behind them.

“Well your quarters are the third on the left at the top of the stairs. It was nice chatting with you Deacon. I hope you find Mentalba in short order once we reach the capital. Have a good evening, everyone.” Wotan bid everyone goodbye and left a slack jawed Deacon standing on the first step. Once everyone else caught up to him they all stopped and asked what was wrong.

“I think he just threatened me.” Deacon said as a chill rand down his spine.

“How so? The conversation sounded perfectly civil to me.” Tantus said.

“Deacon didn’t mention who his business partner was.” Amanda said a dagger held firmly in a white knuckle grip at her side.