I couldn’t help but grin, nodding my approval. “Yes, Selna. Judas seems a good sort all around.”
She returned my smile with a smirk. “Very well. Unfortunately, I agree.” Then she stowed the box in a pocket and we spoke no more on the subject.
Bastral and the other rangers told many more stories that night. Imagining old Quinn as a warrior was almost laughable, but the way he held my sword did seem to make more sense now. We all slept together in the circular room, even Bastral joining us. In the morning, the rangers had made a quick breakfast of venison and herb soup.
Liam and Lilian left first, each giving me the same peculiar hug that Selna had after Pachi died, their foreheads pressing to mine. Then Ashtel departed with Selna, the old man descending the stairs of the mountain in a brisk jog while she stayed back a moment to say goodbye.
I hugged her, not in the fashion of the rangers, but the normal way, smashing her in my arms. “You keep safe sister, okay? And we shall see each other again soon.”
Then, before she followed after Ashtel, she crossed over to Judas and planted a kiss directly on his stunned mouth. “And you, dear wizard, keep your wits sharp and your heart guarded. And yes, if we survive the coming war, you may draw as much water as you can bear.”
The poor man blushed brighter than a sunrise and stumbled on his words, managing a simple, “Um, sure. I mean yes. Yes, I will.”
When Judas recovered, he pressed a black stone first into Madi’s hand and then my own, explaining, “Keep this stone well. If I need to contact you, the stone will light up and get a touch warm. Understand?”
We nodded and watched as Judas summoned a portal and stepped through.
Alysand walked up and raised his hands in a questioning manner. “So, will you two come back with me, or do you need to depart again to your world?”
Madi spoke first, looking to me for confirmation. “I would like some time to collect myself. We can meet you at Benham, though. Then we’ll depart for Gilsby tomorrow, is that fine?”
I nodded my agreement, and Alysand said with finality, “Sounds good. Take the main trail to the base of the mountain. There is a signpost that points the way to Benham. Meet me at Garren’s tomorrow evening. Can you make it by then?”
We agreed and logged out soon after the gunsinger disappeared down the trail.
6: “Gold is fine, no doubt. But trinkets of the heart are what we remember most.”
— Tumsley of the Chishri Spider Clan
HANA
“All of your bids have been purchased but one,” Elendil announced proudly.”The bear claws had been set to a very high lowest bid price, but if I have your permission, I suggest we repost the bid at the same price and hope for the best.”
Though I couldn’t see him, I imagined if he had a chest, it would be puffed out. “That’s awesome, Elendil, and thank you for helping me. I’m afraid to ask, though, what is the total? Include the funds sent over by Madi.” I chewed my lip savagely as I waited.
The AI took his time responding, perhaps even relishing the tension. “In total, 22,375 gold dragons! Well done, Hana. It seems you are truly rich, at least by the standards of Eternal Online. When considering your current level, I think you should be very proud of yourself.”
I had just finished taking a shower, and hadn’t dressed yet, but considering Elendil wasn’t really human, I indulged by dancing shamelessly in my skivvies.
I asked the AI, curious to see his reaction, “Know any dwarven drinking songs, my friend?”
“No, not quite, though I have access to thousands of bawdy songs in my database. Shall I give you a sample?”
I nodded my head furiously. “Absolutely! Stun me with your chords!”
A jaunty stringed melody began to play through the room’s speakers, and I picked up the tune. It was awkward to dance to, but I didn’t mind. Then, to my infinite pleasure, Elendil—the cold-blooded, synthetically enhanced AI—sang me a song.
“The miller was a man most humble and lean.
Even the priest knew his soul was clean.
But when the baker died a woman came to stay.
Her name was Mary, and she sang a fine lay.
The boys all fought fist and nail to be seen,
But was the miller’s stone she fancied it seems.
Oh! Where did the miller take his bag of flour?
Did he help Mary knead her bread for an hour?
And naught but her over could…”
“Stop! Stop! I can’t take it, Elendil,” I pleaded, holding my sides. The AI hadn’t even used one of the many voices he no doubt had command over. Instead, he’d sung it in his usual, genial tone, and I couldn’t take another word of it. I almost felt bad for making him do it.
Elendil asked, with concern in his voice, “What is the problem? Is it my voice? Or should the next one not include sex? Oh, did you understand that the song contained a metaphor, a double entendre as it is often called? You see, the flour that the miller and Mary were kneading refers to…”
“No! Don’t. I mean yes, I get it. Oh, my stomach hurts. Just stop everything for a second.” It took a moment to overcome the grip of my laughing fit. That was so priceless. I would need to tell Madi to ask him to sing the same for her.
After a minute, I gathered myself together and sat back on my chair.
“I’m really sorry, Elendil. That was just a bit unexpected. Your voice is just fine, okay? That was exactly what I needed.” I waited a second to hear if he would respond, but he remained quiet. “Oh, come on, don’t sulk. Please, let’s just change the subject.”
“That is fine with me, Hana. Do you really think my voice is sufficient?”
“Of course. Better than mine, at least.
