Fluid - 47 (Patreon)

Zosime is looking thoughtful when we get back. “I didn’t realise how tight things were getting on the farms. It was nice of you to feed that family, not just the work crew.”

“I prefer to be nice, but have I been too nice?” I ask.

A glum smile appears on Phile’s face. “You made the nobles apologise to the village council and then gave Selene and the others a tour of your home. I don’t know what Selene thinks, but some people don’t calm down when you give them things. They start to ask why they shouldn’t have more.”

Zosime nodded. “You should clarify how strong you are in something other than creating. I’ve heard others wonder if you’re just a support type caster, and that’s why, since you’re so powerful, you need a team.”

Humming thoughtfully, I change the subject while I consider some ideas. “I noticed that the farm compounds all show signs of aerial attacks.”

“The odd Wyvern or Blood Fly swarm from the swamp,” advises Phile. “I could see if there are any jobs on the board.”

“No, this isn’t something I should do with the team. What I need to do is ensure people understand it’s my strength. No one but the team has seen me using Lightning Storm or other combat spells.”

“Bit hard to kill something in front of them so they know to stop being rude,” says Nikias.

“Oh, that’s good. It’s not hard, but I’ll need preparations to keep people safe. Where is the village’s butcher?” I ask.

Nikias waves westward. “On the other side of the North Gate. Would you like me to show you in the morning?”

“Yes, please. I can bind a Wyvern, keep it in mid-air above the butcher, and kill it with a sharp note. Then divide and preserve the meat for them to sell for me; maybe not exactly that; it’s an idea that needs refinement.”

“Wyvern meat is worth‌ golds; roasted Wyvern tail is a delicacy,” advised Phile. “You’ll not get anywhere near its worth in the village. Normally adventurers dissect them, magically preserve the meat, and ship it to major cities to sell to wealthy merchants or nobles.”

“And I have zero need of gold from the village,” I remind her before patting her wrist reassuringly. “I’ll speak to the butcher in the morning and arrange logistics for a few wyverns. After that, I’ll stop the rest of their stupidity.”

“A few?” enquiries Nikias.

I nod and give a reassuring smile. “Do you think your family would be up for another feast? I’ll keep a tail to share between us.”

“I’m sure you can twist their arm,” laughs Nikias.

“I’m sorry that some folks are as unpleasant as I remembered them,” offers Phile.

“You had warned me not to do things for free. It seems being concerned about their feelings brings out the worst in some folks,” I state.

Phile tilts her head as she considers me. “You were taking their rudeness in stride. You seemed more offended by them giving you titles than being disrespected.”

Frowning, I reluctantly nod. “Getting upset at their rudeness simply gives them power over me. It’s clear now it’ll interfere with those I’m looking to employ from how Yianni behaved. I understand some of Mother’s advice better now.”

“What advice was that?”

“As much as we’d prefer it to be different, while many people respond to politeness,  others ignore you unless a knife is at their throat. That seems to go well with your advice about some people who will set expectations if I appear to have done things for free, Phile,” I say.

Phile winces. “Yeah, lots of people will want things for free after you’ve given out things to others.”

“I don’t have to be bloodthirsty to show I can shed blood,” I say, feeling a touch of bitterness in my usual smile. “Choices have consequences, and they’ve chosen to be rude and spiteful. Tomorrow, I will drive a stake into whatever rumours they’ve spread about my abilities and nature. After that, I’m going to put an end to the rest of this stupidity.”

“Does the rest of this stupidity include the innkeeper?”

“I’ll include him in the show. After that, if he doesn’t change his tune, I’ll build a new inn and hire his family away. In the meantime, I’ll take back what I gave Selene and ensure she’s no longer on the council.” I explain. “Selene told Androkles she didn’t want to attend council meetings, so I’m sure that won’t be a problem.”

Zosime snorts at my drool tone. “Selene complains about everything being hard for her but doesn’t like to give anything up.”

That news fits with my assessment of her. “I’m going to get some rest.”

With that, I bid them all goodnight and take advantage of my warded room upstairs. Once my reverie is complete, I go scouting for Wyvern nesting sites. While only finding four loners, I found something better, a Lesser Dragon, its song malicious like that of the wyverns. It’s a breed bereft of their greater kin’s magical strength, possessing no breath weapon and only a few elemental spells. Yet, against smaller foes relying on physical strength, they can bring overwhelming force to bear.

The one I find out masses a couple of bull elephants. Added to his strength, he possesses armoured scales, wings, and the beginnings of the Water Law Spell list that a level ten Wizard could master.

When I find him, he’s lifting a small whale from the water of the east coast. Rather than a clean kill, he’s eating it from the tail down as it thrashes about in pain. The poor thing passes out before the flight home finishes, and then I kill it without alerting the Dragon. The Lesser Dragon’s flesh has no toxins, though I’ll need to clean out the parasites common to many predators.

Returning to my room, I embark on other preparations to ensure my upcoming lesson in manners gets through. While I’d prefer to be polite and kind to everyone, some need to learn the consequences of spite.

I’m down in the courtyard before the others considering the cloudless sky again and what I’d seen at the farm. When they come down for breakfast in the morning, I smile at Phile and Zosime. “Wyvern or Lesser Dragon?”

“What?!” blurts Phile.

Creating an illusion of the two, scaled down to house-cat size, I point at the Lesser Dragon. “His wingspan would cover the house. Is that too much of a demonstration?”

“It would certainly have people talking,” offers Phile. “I’m not sure anyone would be game to buy the meat, even for coppers. They know about eating wyverns, but I’m not sure anyone has eaten a Lesser Dragon.”

Zosime shakes her head in concern. “I’d be worried about what it would do to me. A Black Dragon’s meat is said to be poisonous even after death.”

“Wyvern, it is then. I found four last night,” I reply. “Though the Lesser Dragon meat isn’t poisonous, it would require cleansing or cooking it properly like any predator’s meat. Think of them as a stronger four-legged version of a Wyvern, stronger than a Drake, but with less magic than drakes or greater dragons.”

Phile shakes her head at my rapid-fire explanation. “One Wyvern would do.”

“Two would ensure everyone has enough for a good meal,” I counter.

“That’s well over what you need if you add other dishes,” says Phile. “I’ve experienced monsters smaller than Wyverns feeding a village about the same size as this one. You like to ensure everyone’s ready to burst.”

“Catfolk villages go through more meat, even if they can handle other foodstuffs,” I blurt. “Whereas in elven villages it’s more vegetables, mushrooms, berries, and small meat portions. I guess I was tipping towards Catfolk standards, despite Zosime’s dishes.”

“Catfolk? Do you mean the Basteti?” asks Zosime.

“Yep. I’ve heard them called Catfolk, or some variant of that on most worlds I’ve been to,” I explain.

Zosime gives a satisfied nod. “I’ve only met a few among the adventurers that have come through; adjusting clothing to suit their tails takes some care.”

After breakfast, Nikias and Phile led me through the village stirring in the dawn. Nikias points out the butcher’s house and place of business in the outer row of homes near the Gate. We part ways, Phile to meet Aggie for training while Nikias and I head towards the Guildhall.

When we reach the crossroads leading to the Guildhall, I spot Nanoĸ heading to the hall and wave Nikias on to join him. Though it’s only just after dawn, the guard outside Esdras’ shop is already present, making me wonder what hours he keeps.

Heading inside, I find Esdras sitting behind the counter when I open the front door. My senses protest that he should have a scale-encrusted form but through Shapeshift, his appearance is a young Greek man in his early twenties—olive-skinned, sharp-featured and topaz-eyed. Though instead of a lighter hue to go with the blue, his hair matches the deeper earthen tone of his home-spun clothing.

“Good morning, Esdras. I’ve just a quick question,” I say.

“Good morning Gail; I’ve still had no songs from you,” teases Esdras.

Giving him a sad tsk, I shake my head. “Then you shouldn’t have tried to bargain so hard to keep the news from your family. Plan to let them know soon? I’ve plenty of room for guests now.”

Esdras gives a disappointed grumble. “So I’ve heard. I don’t suppose it’s possible to get a tour?”

“You’re welcome to come by anytime, Esdras. Would you like to join us for dinner tomorrow night?” I ask and toss in some bait. “I might even play a song. Though I doubt, I’m impressive compared to whatever musicians inspired your lineage memories.”

“Hopefully, I’ll be able to hear you frequently and tell you how much you’ve improved,” replies Esdras. “But I feel your invitation isn’t your sole purpose here this morning.”

“Firstly, I’d like to buy more land,” I say.

Esdras sits up straight. “How much land?”

“How much does the village’s charter cover east of the wall?” I ask.

A flicker of amusement shows in his gaze. “Oh? There’s a fair bit of land, but no one has been brave enough to develop it; along the coast it runs twenty kilometres.”

“A full day’s travel cross country on foot for many people, and that’s well out past where the coast curves south. What about directly east?”

“Picture it as a circle, far enough out into the peninsula to be beyond where most save adventurers would dare go,” offers Esdras. “Giant crabs pop up to the east as well.”

“How much of that territory does the accord cover?” I ask, making a note to plan for the crabs.

“I’m only concerned if dragons come within nine kilometres,” advises Esdras.

“How does that eastern edge align with the farmland to the north?”

“Most farmers haven’t set up further than four kilometres east from the river. It would take a stubborn soul between the irrigation challenges and setting up a road to a family compound or going cross country. For farms to the west, they’ll venture further off the main roads,” explains Esdras. “What are you planning to do with the land?”

“I’ve got a few ideas, like salt farming and setting up greenhouses to grow plants for alchemical extracts,” I admit, continuing as he goes to speak. “Maybe a luxury inn.”

“Greenhouses?” queries Esdras, not reacting to my late addition.

Setting an illusion on the counter, I split it in two and display a typical tray layout. “Keeps the inside a constant temperature and lets you grow plants year round.”

“That’s new. And what are you doing with the salt harvesting?”

The illusion switched to trays with automated scrappers and people needing only to bag the salt.

“Selene made a mistake taking you on, didn’t she?” asks Esdras.

“I thought I’d set up the new salt harvesting area as a cooperative for the adults to share in the profits and have a small share to fund the school.”

Letting loose a guffaw of laughter, Esdras slaps the counter. “And if she learns her lesson?”

The unlikelihood of that earns him a shrug. “Then she can have a share like the rest.”

Mother would call the smile I give predatory, but it matched Esdras’ grin when the first mithril bar appeared. By the time I’m done, I’ve placed ten large bars of mithril atop his counter. The lightness of the metal makes them easy to handle, as each weighs in at just under 3 kilograms—less than a quarter the weight of a gold ingot.

Esdras whistles softly. “That’s way more than the land is worth.”

“I know, but I want to ensure there is coin left in your care for paying any tithes for businesses I keep. Is there any paperwork that needs to be taken care of before the council meeting tomorrow?”

“I’ll have to speak to Guild Master Alfarr first; the charter pre-dates the Adventurers’ Guild taking over Crete,” advises Esdras. “According to the original charter, owning that much land automatically makes you the village’s ruler.”

“I’m happy with a council seat or two rather than taking over. Though I’ll likely get Sarah or Ellother to attend the meetings.”

Esdras nods. “I’ll tell him, but let’s not start there.”

“Oh yes, we should. Otherwise, Alfarr is bound to talk someone into following the charter, and I don’t need to be the ruler here,” I object. “I’ll need a pouch of coppers and silvers for some things I plan to do today. Could I get that with the mithril as collateral?”

Fishing under the counter, Esdras sets down two pouches with the requested denominations.

“Thank you, Esdras. Also, would you like some materials from wyverns or a Lesser Dragon?”

Esdras gives a pleased hum. “Bones and leather from either sell well. I’ll take any meat you don’t have other plans for. I’d caution you that disposing of the poison sacs from the wyverns’ tails can be challenging, though they have a ready market with alchemists. I’d check that they’re the type to create antidotes and not harvest the poison for assassins.”

“I might have some excess materials from both today for you,” I say.

Taking the pouches, I leave him to it and head back towards the butcher. As I turn into the lane, I spot a middle-aged man wearing a leather apron streaked with faint traces of blood starting to open and securing the shutters.

“Are you Bion?”

He spins around at my voice and stops with a smile. “That I am. Are you Lady Gailneth?”

“Please, just call me Gail,” I reply and smile in relief at the friendliness of his reception.

“I’ll try to remember, but given all the idiots I’ve heard lately, I’d prefer to be polite. My wife mentioned seeing you at Hestia’s services and talking to the Celestial. She’s not back yet. Is there something I do for you today?” asks Bion. “I mean, I doubt you’ve any livestock you need me to butcher.”

“I was hoping you would help me with something. I plan to put on a show dealing with some wyverns and I’d like you to handle the sale of some excess meat afterwards. You can keep all the coins from the sale, but I’d like some say in your prices for selling the meat.”

Bion gives me a confused frown. “You need me to cut them up as well?”

“I’ll be cutting them up,” I explain. “Though only some of the Wyvern meat will be on sale. I’ll be selling some meat and other materials through Esdras.”

“This sounds all very mysterious. Can I ask the purpose of this show?” asks Bion. “There’ve been some fairly wild rumours going around about you. Some seem quite disrespectful, given your improvements to the village and the fellow you got in to teach the children their letters.”

“I like to be polite to people, and I’m told I can be too cheerful. It seems some people have mistaken my manners and concern for them as me being powerless. I plan to put on a show to remind them that being polite doesn’t hurt.”

Bion frowns in distaste. “Selene?”

“And others,” I agree.

“Morons. I don’t understand annoying someone powerful. Okay, so what do you plan to do?”

“Maybe you can suggest an improvement? I thought I’d slaughter the wyverns and the other predator in force cages overhead, so I’m clearly doing it. Can you ask any mothers to keep children indoors that might take fright from it?” I ask, hoping he’ll propose something better.

After a hesitant pause, Bion speaks up. “Perhaps just outside the wall? That would obstruct their view; some kids aren’t the kind to flinch, but I’m still careful about who’s watching. I killed a pig once, and a child that saw it had nightmares for years.”

I smile, glad he took the opportunity and offered a suggestion that made sense. “Excellent. I thank you for the suggestion. We’ll go with that approach, and I put a barrier so others can’t see. I want to lift them to give Selene and others following her lead a clear line of sight. Does the village normally make use of blood for anything?”

“Sausages, woodworking varnishes, and some other things, mostly just fertiliser for the fields,” advised Bion. “Though considering the creatures you’re talking about, I don’t know what magical uses there might be for them.”

“Then I’ll create some large barrels for temporary storage,” I state. “What arrangement do you normally get from butchering kills?”

“Normally, part of the meat; I hope you don’t price it too low. It sounds like no one will look to slaughter their animals anytime soon.”

“I’d like people to buy meat for coppers. Since I also don’t want to hurt the fishermen’s sales, what weight do you recommend for a couple of coppers?”

Bion’s shrug is expansive. “Perhaps some steak-sized cuts, enough to contribute to a family’s meal without being overwhelming. I’m not used to dealing with pre-cut meat. The person whose animal I’m slaughtering tells me how they want it prepared.”

“What about if I hold the show early afternoon and set up for a village feast this evening?”

“You’re going to ruin Georgius’ evening trade,” cautioned Bion.

“Then he shouldn’t be spreading lies,” I say.

Bion’s laughter continued until it drew attention from further down the lane.

As the ladies and children, Bion’s laughter has drawn regard us both in confusion.

I smile brightly and lift my voice so the neighbours further down the lane can hear. “Ladies, I’ll need help cooking for a village feast tonight. I’ll provide whatever ingredients you need for the dishes you want to cook. Would anyone be interested in making some coins?”

“We’ll need more than just a few of us,” a young mother with a baby in her arms replies.

“I’m happy to hire as many as we need to set this up,” I reply and bounce the purse of silver coins on my palm, which generates a satisfying clicking sound.

One of the older ladies I recognise from the Temple takes charge, and I hand out coppers for some boys to run messages. While they get organised, Bion tells me more about the rumours he’d heard, many of them straight from Selene and Georgius.

The ladies lead the way to the village square, describing the usual arrangements for festival days. I leave them with barrels of flour, vegetables, and bags of charcoal for fires. If things hadn’t seemed so tight on the farms, I would have purchased from their stores. Instead, I’ll need to ensure food gets provided to them in a fashion that doesn’t offend.

Heading down towards the beach, I walk east past the last building. Selene and others are kneeling to scrape together the salt left in trays. One of the younger family members releases a rush of water through a sluice to refill a tray with a basket half-filled with salt next to it.

“Good morning, Selene,” I call as I approach the upright I’d embedded the crystal into.

Selene glares my way, and the last temptation to seek a less aggressive solution vanishes. “What is it, Gail?”

“I always try my best to be friendly and polite to people, but lately, I’ve heard rumours that started from your lips. Our arrangement is over, especially since you don’t want to use my changes except for the advantage they give you,” I say. Nodding towards a youngster drawing water from the barrel at the frame’s end, I give Selene a tight smile. “Unless it’s not true that you instructed your family to stick to harvesting the same amount of salt? And that you’re not spreading rumours?”

“Scraping up salt is back-breaking work,” snaps Selene. Avoiding my question with a plausible explanation doesn’t help conceal the deceitful notes within her.

I create a modified broom with a scrapper in place of a brush and pull it across a tray. A roll of salt churns before it, but I stop and smile at her before I’m more than a quarter of the way across.

“No, among other issues is that you don’t like change, and I’d hate to discomfort you further, so I’m deactivating the effect,” I say. Reaching through the pillar with Inventory, I pull the crystal from the upright, and a tray in the middle of evaporating stops shedding steam.

“Turn it back on,” snaps Selene, scrambling to her feet.

A burst of laughter stops her in her tracks when I add the chill tone of winter to it.

“I’m busy arranging for a village feast. I’ll give a little demonstration outside the north gate this afternoon, and you’ll find yourself there, Selene. While you won’t come to harm, I want to clarify just how much you’ve underestimated me.” I declare, my tone icy. “Both you and your innkeeper cousin seem to think rudeness and lying about me is a good idea. I believe in dealing fairly with people, but in return, I expect courtesy.”

Selene goes pale, and her fists clench when I look past her to the others.

“So you are all aware, if anyone is interested, I’ll set up a better salt harvesting location for you to operate as equal share members,” I say. “It will include housing that doesn’t leave you beholden to Selene, and I’ll only be looking for a minor share to help fund the village’s school.”

With that, I Teleport to the Guildhall and head upstairs. I send messages to Sarah and Ellother as I take the stairs two at a time. Halfway up, I must force myself to continue walking on their shiny treads.

Turning my attention to Esdras’ theme in the office above, I take in the jumping notes of amusement in Alfarr’s melody.

I stop to knock and get told to enter. Flinging the door open, I grin at them both. “Let’s shake some things up.”

“Morning, Gail. How about you start from the top and tell me what’s happening?” asks Alfarr, sitting back in his chair.

By the time I’m through explaining the agreements broken in spirit, lies, and rumours, and my reception from Yianni, Alfarr has a hand to his face. “How dumb are these people?”

“Some see what they want to see, and Lady Gailneth has been far too generous,” states Esdras, ignoring my eye-roll at the title. “Selene, Georgius, and Zenon have been colossally foolish in misunderstanding generosity. They see themselves as high in the village’s hierarchy and are continuing a grudge Selene has with Androkles.”

“I haven’t dealt with Zenon at all,” I protest, and Esdras snorts. Now I’ve got another name to learn why they’ve got a grudge.

“What are you going to do?” asks Alfarr.

“Stage one, create force cages north of the wall, teleport in 4 wyverns and a Lesser Dragon. Next, I’ll teleport Selene, Georgius, and maybe Zenon close enough that they can see the show when I kill and butcher the critters with a song or three. Stage three, some of the wyvern meat will contribute to a feast, I’ll preserve more for Bion to sell, but most of the materials I’ll sell to Esdras,” I recite. “Zenon is annoying. I’ve only seen him in passing, and yet he’s lying about me when we’ve never spoken.”

Alfarr lips twitch, but he composes his face. “Feast?”

“I’ve paid some local ladies to start preparations and provided them with supplies,” I reply. “I told the ladies to prepare more than usual as I plan to invite in some farmers and can preserve the leftovers for sharing with any that can’t make it. Do you mind if I buy land east of the village?”

“There isn’t anything I can do to stop you unless you break the law. Do you mind discussing your expansion plans with Grand Master Hasusar and me?”

“It isn’t some land, Guild Master. As I mentioned before, Gail’s joined us—she’s requested two council seats. The reason for those seats is that she’s requested to buy all the land within the village’s charter that lies east of the village wall. The old charter would put her as the village lord because of how much land is involved,” interjects Esdras.

Alfarr looks at me curiously. “Do you plan to keep it fallow, Gail, or do you have some development in mind? Some of that area would be where adventurers gather plants and hunt.”

“Develop it over some time. I don’t want someone hopping in and grabbing it that doesn’t have the village’s interests at heart,” I say. “Like other offers I’ve made, I’ve either got the funds or the ability to help them expand myself.”

Alfarr nods. “What sort of offer did Gail make for the land?”

“Ten mithril ingots, the full-sized ones normally used for gold,” explains Esdras matter-of-factly.

When Alfarr starts up in surprise, I raise a hand to stop him. “That was to ensure the tithe for the land gets covered for a century at least, as well as the purchase.”

“Three bars of that size would make two riveted chainmail shirts, with leftovers to spars,” notes Alfarr as he runs mental calculations, having quickly recovered his equilibrium

“If there wasn’t too much wastage,” I agree. “Though a full hauberk could take three bars.”

Looking at Esdras, Alfarr lifts his brows enquiringly. “What’s the current land value? A few dozen golds?”

“If that,” agrees Esdras.

“Mithril chainmail shirts cost at least two thousand gold, most of which is for the materials. Those bars make five at least, so you’re dropping ten thousand gold in materials on the village. Unless you set up some highly profitable businesses, your tithe won’t come close to using that up for centuries,” protests Alfarr. “Most household tithes are in copper or, at most, silvers.”

“Oops,” I laugh.

“Would you have time to discuss your plans during tomorrow’s village council meeting?” Alfarr ask. “I take it you’ll be attending?”

When I happily nod, he continues.

“I’ll contact the Grand Master and ensure he has time to come along,” advises Alfarr.

“I’m sure this isn’t the last headache I’ll create for him,” I admit. “Oh, and since it will be on my land, I’ll create a transport Gate outside the current east gate to the eastern limit of my property. If the guild is nice, I might even let your members use it for a suitable fee. That will reduce their time undertaking gathering or cull missions on the peninsula.”

When Alfarr laughs, I bypass the Guildhall’s wards and Teleport to Sanctuary.