Week Twelve, Day One

 

            We pick up with the next days events.  Grey Eyes wakes to find herself laying upon Dlar’s arm with blankets around her.  Dlar is watching her intently with a single eye from its turned head.  It seems that Dlar is still amused by the need for sleep and ironically does not get tired of watching it.  Grey Eyes greets Dlar and wishes a good morning while getting dressed.  She asks if Dlar is done with its prey as she would like to see them.  Without hesitation Dlar deposits its latest victims upon its pile, carefully selecting their positions and somewhat weaving them in.  She questions Dlar about this behaviour to which Dlar says “Its their spot, it was meant for them.”  Grey Eyes is about to leave but remembers to ask for gleeah, of which Dlar is only willing to part with about a cup worth.  Using the term “favourite” to refer to Grey Eyes, Dlar gives her five wafers to get herself something to eat before letting her leave.

            Grey Eyes makes a point of going to see their resident tinker, Randolf.  On the way she checks the purse of her victim to retrieve all the money she handed over, and seven more wafers for her trouble.  Progress on the restoration of the old salvaged guns has not gone so well.  It appears that at least one is in working order but Randolf simply cannot repair them fully.  No matter what he does replacing parts on such devices has never worked for anyone, a secret to all.  She suggests that he try the engineer’s academy that helped repair Marakin’s familiar to see if they have schematics or some other form of aid.  She gives him a case of ten sonic rounds to use as barter in the matter.

            Not having the guns ready is disappointing seeing as the team is just about set to try and take on the wolves.  A short time later the group reconvenes to check their equipment and ready a rudimentary plan that they can modify once they see what they are up against.  Lilly picks up her cloak so that both she and Grey Eyes now have one.  Smoke grenades, jars of toxic waste, scent cantrips and pre-loaded guns are all set up for the attack.  Luke spends time learning summon from the mist during a little free exchange between the groups spell users to aid in the fight.

            Lance escorts the team to the last known location approximately and lets them figure the rest out from there.  He offers to help in their efforts but that is all he can contribute.  Lilly employs a few clairvoyance spells to better locate the wolves and the group sets the plan down.  They scent themselves like grass, and a section of grass like them some distance from the wolves.  Those that could placed and expeditious retreat enchantment upon themselves just in case, and the attack begins.

            Lilly, Luke and Grey Eye cast summon from the mist to get something to fly a set of three grenades each over the wolves.  Nine grenades rain down on the wolves, loaded with toxic waste collected by Lilly and Grey Eyes.  Jeffery launches three smoke grenades as Lilly casts silent image (of a hare which turns and runs towards scented area).  Without a pause four of the team use true strike to launch another attack at the survivors, all shots landing.  Only one wolf makes it out of the smoke, only to succumb to Luke’s sleep spell.  Jeffery finishes this one with a single shot from 20 feet.

            Lilly is one of the first to examine the fallen, collecting tails that do not look to damaged.  To ensure she is not attacked by a survivor she uses gaseous form and invisibility.  Jeffery takes a whole head for himself.  Grey Eyes uses armour of bone when attention of others is elsewhere and uses her new outfit to conceal it.  She also takes a set of claws and teeth.  As Grey Eyes surveys the corpses, she has the idea to harvest milk from the slain females as something to offer to Dlar, perhaps as something new.  She bottles what she can and plans to visit Dlar soon while it is still on the fresh side.

            Lilly is rather interested in hearing what Anosa will say about the success, and about what she might allow her to learn.  Back at the sundered she make the inquiry and is given access to the ghoul touch spell for the efforts of the day.  Anosa also grants the team the rest of they day off and so they begin to plan among themselves what to do.

            Luke takes Krystal with him to visit his sister once more in hopes she has news.  News she has.  She lets him know that while she does not have any decent sources for him she has made arrangements for him to see the owner of an apothecary named Ethan.  She gives him directions and sees him off.

            The rest of the group, comprised solidly of cultists, plans to visit Dlar with their time and perhaps snag a snack for the beast on the way there.  They have little luck in their leisurely hunt but arrive none the less at their destination.  Not a few moments after entering, Vern stands and brings a tray of cheeses to the door and offers them to Lilly and Grey Eyes.  Vern seems to do so with a bit more courtesy and less duty than before.

            After a few select cheeses, they step down into Dlar’s lair and find themselves greeted once more by Dlar, stating how happy it is to see everyone.  Grey Eyes quickly offers Dlar the milk she salvaged.  Dlar is much impressed as it has never tried anything like wolf milk before and happily accepts it as Grey Eyes anoints its tongue with her own paws.

            Off in the corner, to the right as one comes in, two other cultists work away at what is a change to the lair.  Jessica and Katie have set down a simple floor, throw rug, a few bits of furniture and a bed.  It seems Dlar wished a place down in the lair that was suitable for someone to sleep if they wished, and did not mind a dragon staring at them all night.  Jeffery walks over to have a look, more at the pair working than what they are working on.  He turns to Jessica and asks her if she would like to test out the bed with him.  She blows him off but he is not giving up that easy.

            Turning to Dlar, Jeffery asks if he can cash in on what he has offered in exchange for bedding one of its cultists.  Dlar figures Jeffrey has done enough and grants the request.  By now Jessica is looking worried as Jeffery just got permission from what is effectively the creature that owns her life.  He instead turns to Katie, who’s expression shatters almost immediately, knowing she has no choice.

            Jessica and Lilly know what’s coming next and so return to the upper floor for something to drink.  Grey Eyes remains down in the lair to finish with the milk.  It only takes a few moments to get Katie out of those ribbons she wears and down upon the bed.  Jeffery wishes for her to enjoy the moment as well and does his best to fulfill her, but fails solidly and performing barely average.

            Once Grey Eyes and Lilly are ready to leave, Grey Eyes lets Jeffrey know its time to get going.  With Jeffrey done and out of the way, Lilly goes back down to see Katie.  She sits on the edge of the bed with her ribbons still strewn about.  Knowing Lilly wants to talk she pats the bed beside her as an invitation to sit down.  Asking to look at what Katie has brought today, Lilly is shown a supply of scrolls, oils and potions that are the staple of Katie’s usual lists.  A few scrolls catch the eye and she buys two.  Over the transaction she cuts a deal with Lilly, and gives her a small package with an agreement to talk later.

            Elsewhere, Luke has made it to the shop.  The interior smells of old herbs and dust while being lit by odd luminescent plants hanging in pots from the ceiling.  It seems Ethan has been waiting to see Luke and knows just what he wants to see.  He brings up a case from behind the counter and slides the lid off.  Inside are scrolls, many of which are rather simple but still more than Luke had.  Luke buys all the ones he can use and makes a purchase of one of the bright plants for Krystal, a red one.  With goods in hand, Luke leaves with plans of learning one of the spells he just bought.

            Having spent a fair deal of their day the team returns to the sundered and begins to wind down.  Once together they converse a bit about making a purchase of a transport vehicle of some sort.  Nothing if finalized but the idea is recognized that they might need one.  Wanting some better divination abilities, Grey Eyes puts two hours into learning clairvoyance while Lilly learns rage in the same amount of time.  Not having anyone much to talk to, Jeffrey moves up to Anosa and strikes up a conversation.  As Anosa is female she already had Jeffrey’s attention but its obvious he will have to do something to earn hers.  He offers to show her his “field” which was shown to him by Kikah.  She is uncertain what it is and is at least mildly amused by it.  Pressing on he asks if she is, in her current state, still interested in sex.  She explains that she is more consumed by other passions, other obsessions.  She does not elaborate further nor does she have to, but it is clear that she does not know how to take the comment and is trying to maintain her composure.  Anosa is comfortable in the sundered because she knows it, but Jeffrey’s advances seem unknown to her and it appears he may have found a place where she is soft.

            Elsewhere, Luke spends what time he has familiarizing himself with the disguise self incantation.  Its clear he will need more time than he has available but me makes a good dent in his studies.  Once it gets late he to returns to the sundered to rejoin the team.

 

Week Twelve, Day Two

 

            The next day begins with some uncertainty.  As it was proven they are now good enough to begin a small Harrow group of their own they don’t know when or how that is to happen.  It does not seem it is this day, however, as they are rather quickly given the task of patrol.  Rumours of enforcers in an area of the downs not far away need to be looked into and they are very available to do just that.

            As they head out of the downs Luke and Krystal take notes on the plants found in the area.  While Krystal finds a few bits of odd trash laying about Luke notices that the plants seem discoloured.  This may be due to a few of them changing to better suit the nature of the sundered.  To be a little more sure samples are taken.

            While the flower pickers are busy looking at the ground the rest of the group stays alert for anyone trying to follow them.  Some are certain that they are being tested and that one of Anosa’s group might be watching them to grade their performance.  They don’t see anyone but try to stay alert and behaving as though they were being watched.

            Reaching the area where the reports of enforcers have come from Lilly employs her clairvoyance to view the streets from above.  The method works and she spots a small group of four not a few streets over from their location.  Wanting to have every advantage, invisibility is used to run a little recon on the four and do a threat assessment.  They do not seem to be overly well equipped, sporting only tazers and hand cannons with standard shells.  This group appears to be from a different division than they are, #52.

            Wanting to make this easy, an ambush is prepared.  Luke opens with sleep, removing a target with one simple action.  Jeffrey uses a does of his extra-strength drug on his target but there does not seem to be the desired effect.  Lilly and Grey Eyes try their tazers but between them only one succumbs leaving two standing in total.  Grey Eyes tries again and manages to stun her target.  Lilly opts to simply kick the remaining one but misses.  Jeffrey moves in and forcefully grapples the last one, eventually pinning her to the ground.

            The issue looking to be in hand Grey Eyes tried to intimidate them to deter them from coming back should they be released.  The captives are searched and stripped of valuables, some more than others.  Lilly knocks one out, strips him and then ties him up a bit.  They then escort the enforcers to the edge of the downs and boot them out.  Together they claim 4 hand cannons, 4 tazers, 4 badges, 1 makeup kit, 10 standard rounds and 97 wafers.

            With their deed done they return to the sundered to report in about their success.  Anosa does not seem to expect them back so soon and is caught in the middle of making tea.  They wish to let her know right away but she sternly warns them to wait until she has had her tea.  After a cup the team informs Anosa that the enforcers were located and expelled forcefully from the downs, all done at a speed that is most impressive.  Not knowing what else to do with them all today Anosa offers to reveal to them “other resources of the Harrows”.

            A short walk into the downs later they enter an old house and its basement where they are greeted by the acrid smells of alchemy.  The whole lower level has been reworked into a surprisingly decent alchemical facility.  Several individuals work at various tables without really paying any attention to the intrusion.  The reason they were brought is made clear very quickly.  Anosa allows Grey Eyes and Lilly to coax a narlough out of some of the stone vats to use as their own using but a word of command.  A Harrow run alchemical and narlough facility, that is what they have been brought into.

            From there Anosa takes them farther into the back of the basement to meet with the head alchemist here, Samson.  He stands above one of the stone vats siring it with a long pole.  Spotting Anosa he practically yells a greeting and hops down.  The two exchange tense greetings, mostly on the side of Anosa, before the team is introduced.  Several members can’t help but stare at Samson’s rod, the tip of which seems to twitch and squirm.  This being brought to his attention he simply turns and scrapes off fleshy matter from the pole before turning back to his visitors.  After a short time talking with Samson it becomes obvious he has suffered some mental illness as he is very energetic and addle-witted in his speech.  If he is the head alchemist then he suffers these well while still staying sharp enough to perform his work.  Its not long before Samson’s mannerisms repulse Anosa to the point she excuses herself and leaves, letting the team question him a little.  They hear a little about Anosa, narlough and about the facility itself from him.  As the discussion draws to a close Jeffery hands Samson a sample of gleeah while trying to explain it and getting him to not only put it in his eyes but taste it.  Having what they feel they need the team leaves to go back about their business.

            Luke makes a trip to visit Ethan again, making it known he wants to have access to more “flashy” incantations now that he has some more generalized ones.  Ethan won’t have any of it, not until Luke has his sisters permission for such things.  Knowing what he has to do Luke heads home to see Lisa and Randolf.  The old guns have been repaired somewhat, enough to make a single gun in somewhat working order.  Luke gives him some gleeah to look into in his spare time.  Meeting Lisa, Luke catches her just as she is leaving to go shopping.  Hoping to butter her up a little about his request he offers to come along and pay for expenses (adding up to 1.3 wafers).  After a meal back home he tries to learn amanuensis but fails.  He leaves his book with Lisa so that she might try to learn it herself.  The rest of the day he spends with Krystal.

            The cultists, meanwhile, go hunt for Dlar near the city/downs boarder.  Using clairvoyance on the way to Dlar’s lair they spot two likely victims.  In short order a little tazer work secures them.  Being the stronger of the two, Grey Eyes does most of the work carrying their captives back to Dlar’s lair.

            Jeffery chooses to visit a club in order to find a victim.  Using a stolen badge he introduces himself to someone who looks alone as Mathew, who turns out to be named Mori.  Buying something orange for her and a wine for himself he engages in a little small talk before asking for a dance.  Sitting down again after he orders more drinks and talks a little more.  Mori lets on that she is waiting for someone named Dan who she has known a few weeks.  He tries to convince her to come along with him but she wants to wait a little longer hoping he will finally show.

            She finally gets tired of waiting and decides to take Jeffery up on his offer.  He takes her to a decent hotel and books a room for the two of them.  Jeffery wastes no time getting Mori into bed as he has other plans for her yet today.  He tries to show her a good time but manages to do only average.  Tiring her out a bit first, he injects her with a strong does of purple case.  It does not appear to work as he wanted and she berates him for doing something like that without asking.  He tries to explain that it was something for her benefit, further trying to sooth her.  This seems to work somewhat, buying him enough leeway to tazer her once.  Stunned as she is she can’t do anything as Jeffery ties and gags her.  He tries to drug her again, this time getter better results.

            Jeffrey switches to his enforcer outfit, sporting Mathew’s badge.  He takes Mori down to the desk with him and plys a story that she is being arrested for illegal activities.  The clerk seems to believe him and he escorts her out.  Mori is still not in her right mind from the drug and offers little resistance.

            In Dlar’s lair Grey Eyes offers up both of the victims to Dlar, one of them in Lilly’s name.  She strips each of them in turn, enticing Dlar to taste them carefully to enjoy them more before finally swallowing them.  Moments before they vanish Grey Eyes retrieves the cuffs used to bind them.  After both victims have been devoured she moves to give Dlar a tummy rub.

            At about this time Jeffrey has just entered the lair.  He offers the still muddled Mori to Dlar, who happily accepts her.  Grey Eyes shows some interst in Moir’s outfit and removes it before Dlar takes her.  She waits until Dlar finishes swallowing before hugging Dlar’s skull and licking its eye in a show of affection.  Jeffery ties to find something of use to him in Dlar’s pile but does not see much of interest.  He tries to ask for a bone from one of the remains to which Dlar says “No, this is my family you can’t take what is precious to me”.

            Done for how with Dlar, Grey Eyes and Jeffrey move upstairs.  Jeffery decides now is a good time to try and teach Grey Eyes his skill that was shown to him by Kikah.  He tries and it seems Grey Eyes learns something about it, but could use more work.  Both of them spent in strength somewhat, they go out for soda and candy.

            Retuning back to the sundered the team overhears Anosa and Paul talking:

 

Ÿ Paul: I don’t know how many, I wasn’t there.  I think three or four, but you know how things are.

Ÿ Anosa: Is that all, they can’t handle it or simply botched it.  Why does this concern me?

Ÿ Paul: You know, you’re talents.  They could really be of use here.

Ÿ Anosa: It is those very talents that tell me otherwise.

Ÿ Paul: No one else is having any luck, people are dying.

Ÿ Anosa: The downs are very slim hunting grounds, they will move closer to the city.  Let the ignorant be educated.  I would very much like to see how they apply their brute force methods to this.

 

            Anosa notices them and turns to face them, smiling slightly.  She appears to believe this issue would provide a fine test of this budding team and charges them with dealing with the problem.  Paul tells them that the attacks occurred a few blocks away from the sundered, on the side of the facing wall.  Knowing they have to deal with ghouls they devise a plan and get a shopping list together.  Going to pick up what is needed they move to the edge of the sundered but its not without incident.

            As they near the edge the team comes across what looks like someone ripped in half.  The torso is dragging itself along the ground with its arms, while the abdomen walks about nearby its intestines flailing about like whips.  Expecting the use of necromancy in this Luke takes Krystal and hurries her along past the gruesome display.   As expected, Grey Eyes and Lilly invoke a neitherblade each and attack.  Grey Eyes dispatches the torso quickly with one strike, while Lilly practically dances with the abdomen as the two of them miss each other repeatedly.  Lilly eventually lands the first and last blow ending the fight.

            Exiting the sundered the group waits while Jeffery picks up a few supplies.  He comes back as fast as he can and the team sets off on their hunt.  The use of clairvoyance does not seem to help this time so they move into the suspected area personally.  As they move down the street someone runs out of the font door of a house starveling the group in the process.  He thanks them for coming, seeing a harrow like himself come to aid is just what he was hoping for.   He hurriedly explains that the ghouls are behind the house he came from in a back yard, and that they should help the others who are fighting them.  With that he runs off.

            Knowing that they have to hurry Luke and Krystal go around the side while Grey Eyes jumps on the roof and moves over the house.  The rest stay back and wait at the ready.  A good thing too, as by the time Grey Eyes moves close enough to view the yard beyond it seems the ghouls already know they are there and are moving at them.  Understanding fully how appetizing she must look to them, Grey Eyes expects she is target number one and uses expeditious retreat before making a run for it.  Two of the ghouls jump up onto the roof to chase her while the other moves around it, right past Luke and Krystal.  Luke takes the chance to open fire as it runs past but misses.  Using a pre-loaded cannon to fire again he lands a hit, getting the ghouls attention and making it stop and turn towards them.  Jeffrey fires upon one chasing Grey Eyes and hits, but the ghoul keeps going anyway.  Lilly is anxious to use her malicious whisper spell and happily employs it against the one untouched ghoul.  The ghoul drops to the ground heavily as the whisper assaults it savagely.  Grey Eyes  turns and fires at her now lone pursuer and finishes it off.  Luke is forced to engage the ghoul he shot in melee.  The ghoul strikes him before he can attack and rips him deep into his flesh and spirit.  He draws his crystalline longsword and cuts the ghoul down.

            Expecting them to revive soon Grey Eyes ties to dismember her target, also running gleeah down its spine in hopes to prevent it from moving.

            Not knowing what else to do with the ghouls they try to formulate some plan to prevent them from reviving.  The use of acid, fire and even sealing in cement are discussed but none seem a long term solution.  Believing that these sorts of ghouls are vulnerable to wood they send Jeffery out to buy a supply from an importer.  He manages to purchase a najuato tree from a very board importer who amuses himself in berating Jeffery before he finally makes the sale.

            Lilly meanwhile takes the time to examine the one she has while it is “dead”.  There are heavy ropes tied to both its wrists and ankles that appear to have been ripped by pure strength.  The body is otherwise unharmed but shows signs of both starvation and dehydration.  On the lower portion of the body mixed with the ghouls ooze is what seems to be very old raw sewage, not surprising if the ghouls move by way of the old systems in the downs.  These observations seem more or less true for the other examples around her.  It is thought that whoever these people were, they were bound and left to die.  This would not normally be such a strong cause for a ghoul to arise and yet there does not seem to be any traces of arcane methods to create them.

            Having good evidence that the ghouls came up from the sewers it is hoped they can be tracked to their origin but none in the group are capable trackers.  Needing some advice Grey Eyes and Jeffery head back to the sundered to get advice from Anosa.  They do not get the advice they hope for as Anosa is not impressed that they cannot handle a few ghouls on their own.  Lilly tries to ask Murray for advice as well and has better luck.  She is told that if they are welling up with strength then something is supporting them, and so they do not fight but three but likely many more that pour their strength into the ghouls they fought.  She mentions her plan to visit Lyeuskold and is warned that is it a very dangerous place that she should not visit now.  She should visit sometime, but no so soon.  A voyage into Lyeuskold seems to be a “right of passage” to those who study the shadows as does Lilly.

            Lilly comes up with the idea to seal the ghouls in the old prison cell beneath the house near Murray’s tomb.  This seems to work as the cell is both physically and spiritually warded.  Expecting tough times in the sewers the team makes the decision to train to better their odds.  Jeffery prices out a van rental, 50 wafers 15 of which is a deposit.

 

Week Twelve, Day Three

 

            Expecting the challenges head to be more than they can handle the group decides now would be a good time to brush up on training.  Luke takes up his studies with his sister, Lilly with Murray.  Grey Eyes, Krystal, Jeffery and Kikah are instead trained at their precinct.  Not wanting to leave Dlar alone for the weeks of training ahead, Lilly and Grey Eyes stop by Dlar’s lair to visit after hours.

            Dlar greets them with its usual “I am happy to see you” which puts any guesswork out of wondering how Dlar is doing.  Grey Eyes offers to let Dlar taste her if that suits its mood, an act Dlar seems moved by.  Dlar tells them both that it misses the air and being able to stretch its wings.  It offers to take its two favourite cultists with it which both Grey Eyes and Lilly agree to.

            The only feasible way out of the basement is by digging out again which will mean another walk through the sewers.  It is neither safe or pleasant to breath in the sewers so Grey Eyes asks to rid “in” Dlar rather than on.  Dlar seems pleased with this idea and happily swallows her after she strips.  Lilly decides to do the same but opts to keep her goods on and with her.

            Dlar claws its way out and moves through the sewers.  It eventually finds the entrance it used to make its way into Esspis in the first place and emerges into the wilderness.  Dlar promptly spits Grey Eyes and Lilly back up.  Grey Eyes looks more than a little disappointed as she is happiest when near Dlar.  Dlar spreads its wings and enjoys a good stretch while the two hares get to their feet.  For the up-coming flight, Lilly takes a place in Dlar’s maw, while Grey Eyes fines a place at the only likely protrusions serviceable as hand-holds; Dlar’s horns.

            In moments Dlar takes to the air, flying low but gaining height as it moves farther away from Esspis in an effort to avoid being shot at again.  It is not long before Dlar is at a comfortable height allowing all present a good view not only of Esspis but of the surrounding area.  Dlar appears to be flying with no real destination so far has its passengers can tell but they don’t mind the vantage for the time being.

            Dlar tells them that it is happy to catch the air in its wings again, and see the world so more fully.  For the last while all Dlar had to look at was the soil walls of the basement.  Its not long before Dlar sees something it remembers and wants to get a better look at.  Grey Eyes and Lilly see a flat, reflective surface but they are not sure what it is.  Once they get close enough it turns out to be nothing more than a large body of water.

            Dlar makes its way there and lands rather heavily upon the ground.  Picking itself up from what is basically a nose dive Dlar walks up to the edge of the water as if nothing had gone wrong.  Grey Eyes looks about the area from her vantage in hopes of spotting a crystal formation near the water, but unfortunately finds none.  Dlar steps into the water and moves deeper by the moment.  It is clear Dlar wants to go for a swim of sorts but the two hares do not know how to swim or breath under water.  Lilly just lets Dlar swallow her again so she can live on the air in its stomach, Grey Eyes puts the crystal used as jewlery around her neck in her mouth, a crystal which emits a small amount of air.  This seems to be enough for her to live for the time being as Dlar descends

            Dlar soon learns it can use its wings in the water to “fly“.  Deeper and deeper it goes until it literally hits the bottom.  Dlar becomes exited almost immediately as it states it sees something down in the deeps with them.  In moments Dlar is chasing after it to try and see if it tastes good or not as whatever it is keeps its distance.  Grey Eyes tells Dlar that trying to taste something it just met might not be a good idea.  Dlar becomes even more exited saying “There are many more down here, they are all around me”, and changes direction to chase another.  Lilly is curious as to what is going on so she asks her familiar to take a look for her.  What is found is several oddly shaped spirits, resembling masses of filaments or tendrils.

            Grey Eyes implores Dlar to return to the surface before something bad happens.  Dlar is not happy about going but does as advised.  Understanding that Lilly cannot be a part of the underwater visit as she would die, Dlar expresses a wish to return home and get Lilly a crystal like Grey Eyes has.  Dlar wastes not time in making its way back to the lair to get Lilly some “special rocks to put in her head” so that they may all return and visit the strange things in the water.

            They return to find Katie at work taking inventory of Dlar’s goods while adding a few to diversify it a bit.  A new longsword and shield are found there, added it seems to accommodate Jeffery’s observation that there are just not enough weapons.  A quick look around does not turn up any crystal suitable for Lilly’s needs, so they retire and return to train the next day.

 

Week Twelve, Day Four

 

            Back to work and training together Grey Eyes asks Kikah upfront why she hates her so much.  Kikah stays its because she is a witch who uses unnatural methods to get an edge on others.  She is impure and weak, things Kikah is very clear she does not like.  To prove her wrong Grey Eyes offers to fight her, hand to hand.  Grey Eyes uses no magic, but Kikah happily applies her own talents to the fight.  Kikah eventually wins although Grey Eyes is capable of hitting much harder.   Kikah again states her superiority and the tainted life Grey Eyes leads as being unacceptable.  Grey Eyes asks how Kikah became so pure.  Kikah states “I came of age.  What did you do when you came of age?  get drunk”.  This seems to be correct for the most part but Grey Eyes in interested in this coming of age that was just mentioned.  A little more questioning finds out that Kikah underwent some sort of ceremony when she came of age that changed her.  If this change was for the better then Grey Eyes is certainly interested.

 

Week Twelve, Day Five

 

            As a new day of training resumes, Grey Eyes retrieves her newly refurbished books from the binder she hired for the small cost of 8 wafers.  Jeffery checks in to see if his reward from long ago for solving the Blue Case issue has been decided.  He is awarded with a 30 wafer bonus plus a certificate for 60 wafers in gear from the precinct’s equipment department.  Jeffrey makes Kikah an offer to fight her once their training is completed, she accepts.

            Seeking supplies Grey Eyes purchases three spheres of spark stopper [4 W X 3], a light habinashi [115 W]and three pounds of butter [12 W].  After her day of work she spends the rest with Dlar offering it butter, syrups and other mixes of sweet and rich.

            Luke takes the opportunity to pick up the gem-crafts he ordered some time before.  He had already put down 75 W but the total for the work comes out to 86 W to include the work on the chains.  In short order he presents them to Krystal who is at a loss for words.  With little else to give herself she offers him steamed sprouts and a little time together after work.

 

Week Twelve, Day Six

 

            Before going back to train, Grey Eyes takes a moment to transcribe her most recent spells into the library of her parents using amanuensis.  Stopping at Luke’s she also retrieves the unused crate of  ammunition and the now partially functional cannon.

            Luke himself purchases a light habinashi [115 W] before taking up his training for the day.

            Jeffery and Kikah have their rematch, whereupon he wins solidly.  She scolds him for being so rough on a poor farmer.  A side-comment from Grey Eyes earns a bit of ire from Jeffery and he turns to fight her next.  The fight does not last long once Kikah regains her footing and Grey Eyes senses she could be in genuine danger.