“That is a good use of time.”
Ruwen nodded. “But it makes me a little nervous to just leave. I was hoping if something goes wrong or if someone needs me, you could portal over and grab me.”
“Of course.”
Ruwen relaxed. “Thanks, I appreciate that.”
“You seemed distracted at lunch.”
“I know. Finding my parents has consumed the last year of my life, and now that I found them, I’m worried what else I’ll uncover.”
“They’re the same people they were when they left on that job.”
“That’s what concerns me the most. That maybe I never really knew them. A lot of secrets have come to light already.”
Tremine leaned forward. “We all have secrets. Even you. If I can be sure of anything, it is that your parents love you more than their own lives. Use that as the prism when you hear their side.”
Ruwen nodded. “Thanks. I will.” He stood and then snapped his finger. “I almost forgot. I stopped by the Cultivator camp up north and encouraged them to join us. I don’t know if any will come, or how long it will take them, but if any show up, they’re welcome here.”
“Smart,” Tremine said. “We could use the help.”
“Thanks again,” Ruwen said, and then headed for his room.
Did you hear that, Lir? Ruwen asked.
I did. Are Harvesters now called Cultivators?
Yes, they changed their name because they only use natural sources of Spirit. No killing.
Understood. How will I know they are from the camp to the north?
That is a good question. Initially, let’s just assume if they’re a Cultivator, they are welcome.
As you wish, Architect Starfield.
A thought struck Ruwen. Lir, when I received the Architect Role you knew my body remained in the Metal levels. Can you tell that about others?
Of course. The cell structure between Metal, Gem, and Divine is quite distinct.
Now I’m worried one of the gods who wants me dead might sneak in with the cultivators.
My siblings in Deepwell and Stone Harbor have briefed me on the relevant portions of the Pact. Specifically, the Pact forbids foreign gods from trespassing on our lands. Doing so will trigger a Conclave, and the destruction of that god. Only a god’s representatives are allowed, and their numbers and levels are also detailed. The rules are clear.
Representatives like the Bone Sculptor. Which also explained why a level one hundred Class hadn’t guarded this location. Okay, that makes me feel better.
Ruwen entered his room, retrieved the Portal Chalk, and carefully drew on his wall the gate runes that would take him to the Blood Gate. He put the chalk away and checked the gate runes twice more. Satisfied, he refreshed all his buffs, and stepped through.
Chapter 23
The Blood Moss reluctantly withdrew as Ruwen’s Black Pyramid mark appeared on his wrist. Whiskers jumped through the door, but the moss left the cat alone. Ruwen found a blank door and drew the gate runes to take him to the chapel on level one. Stepping into the chapel, he turned on Glow so he could see. Whiskers ran past him and disappeared into the darkness.
The chapel reminded him of Hamma. She had taken her job as the Chapel Custodian seriously from the start. She had already performed a wedding and given last rites to goblins. Her prayer book had ten powerful spells, and she’d used one to save the group the last time they were here. In contrast, Ruwen had done far less as the Library Custodian. But he’d come here to fix that.
As Ruwen left the chapel, light spilled into the common area from the Rings in Sift’s area. The pyramid inhabitants were dueling, and he thought about watching a few matches. Instead, he turned toward the library. He needed to stay focused on why he’d come. The library blazed with light as soon as he entered, and he turned off Glow.
Plopping into the nearest chair, Ruwen took a moment to relax. So much had happened since he’d last been here. He found his librarian quest and opened it.
Don’t Judge a Job by Its Cover (Part 3 – Special Request)
The Black Pyramid has lost its Ink Lord, and its book collection has suffered. Find a book of Special quality or higher that the collection does not already contain [COMPLETE]. Reshelve at least sixty percent of the library’s collection (both levels). Finally, raise the Patron Satisfaction above fifty percent (current satisfaction twenty-one percent).
Reward: Codex of Bookwyrm Evolution.
Reward: Choice of one Legendary Potion.
Reward: Title of Ink Disciple.
Reward: 10,000 experience
With the time compression between here and home, Ruwen had three entire days before he needed to be back and greet his parents.
Rami, can you put a countdown-timer by my map?
Sure. How long?
Sixty-eight hours. That will put me back home around 8:30 PM today. That is confusing to say.
Three days is a lot of time.
I know. It’s too bad the women can’t connect to Uru here. It would speed up their Class advancements. And it makes more sense for Sift to come here and Fortify, but he won't. I think he worries if he comes back, he’ll never get to leave again.
What are your plans?
First, I’m going to shower and see about getting my gear fixed. Then I’m going to finish this librarian quest.
Striding to a shelf at the back of the library, Ruwen pulled on a small black book between two tall white ones. The shelf opened and he entered his Custodian quarters. Whiskers jumped into a chair and curled into a ball.
Ruwen undressed and placed everything in the bin next to his door. He added his cloak, all his jewelry, and weapons. Removing the five Coiled Lightning rings proved catastrophic to his Energy Regeneration, dropping it from sixty-seven to twenty-three. All the bonuses added up, but really made a difference when you already had significant Regen.
Placing Rami next to Whiskers, Ruwen went to shower.
I need to improve everyone’s satisfaction by thirty percent, Ruwen said to Rami. I wonder the quickest way to do
