Part 114: Around Silmaria in 40 Days

Chapter 21: Around Silmaria in 40 Days


Namaste, my friend. It is exceedingly happy you have made me, for I have had a chance to do a thing I love very much. This is a good thing.
This is about the painting job, right?
Oh, yes! Happy most am I, for an artist is glad to be making art. Gnome Ann is a very fun person, and she is happy indeed. She is always laughing as I am talking. And now the Land Inn is more like Gnome Ann—funny to look at. Still, I am still not sure why people are having the reaction they are having when they enter the inn, because I made sure to use many bright colors like Ann wanted.
Well, you might need better eyesight to get just what she was going for.
Ah, that would explain the problem! Also, I read on the notice board that you are to be off to find your destiny. I hope it is not lost too badly.
Well, I know where it is, but I need to get across the sea, and I’m fresh out of wings.
You need wings to find your destiny? Holy cow! I did not know that destiny was so hard to find. I always thought that the future comes to you, whether you look for it or not.
Actually, this is about finding out what’s coming before it shows up. Kind of like trying to figure out tomorrow’s weather. I don’t suppose you know anything about future?
Sorry, I am only knowing about the present. For instance, I know that there is much talk about your last meeting in the Hall of kings, and several arguments were heard. Dr. Mobius, the scientist, was most displeased about the Rite of Destiny, and he said to his person Gort that they will have to try something to even the odds in the next contest. The woman warrior, Elsa, was also heard to show her displeasure to Minos. It seems that he wished to take Elsa directly to the island of Delos, and Elsa wished to find her way there herself. She said that she does not take his orders, and he said “yet,” and she was most angry. Again, I am sorry it is not the future which you are looking for.
That’s okay; actually, a lot of that was pretty interesting.
Then I am glad I was able to help you as you helped me! Good luck in your quest for destiny. Namaste.
Namaste.


One of the requirements for a successful romance is telling her about yourself. Since the only time that dialogue option comes up for Elsa is during the Rite of Destiny, it becomes particularly important to visit her here at this point.

Hero Nike and Elsa kill Hydra good. Both do good.
Guten tag. I couldn’t have won without your help. We work together well.
Hi Elsa, hey Toro. You know, Elsa, Toro always seems a little happier when you’re around.
Toro happy see both happy. Elsa happy see hero Nike. Elsa think hero Nike fight good.
Stop, Toro, I’m sure Nike doesn’t need to hear all that.
Hear what?
It doesn’t matter. So what did you think of the last Rite? With the treasure from the Hydra’s cave, we could both be wealthy and not need to compete to be ruler. It is obvious we aren’t in this for the money.
Well I happen to like the money. Honestly, though, I’m not too big into rulership. Mostly I’m doing this to find the killer. He needs to pay for everything he’s done.
I agree. He has taken too many lives, and he would have taken more if you were not here to help. I hear he has even poisoned the wizard Erasmus.
I’m not so sure that was him, actually. Mind if we talk about something else, though? This stuff is too depressing.
If you want.
Thanks. So, I hear you and Minos got into an argument.
Oh, so my problems are so much less depressing? Yes, I did have an argument with Minos after you left. He doesn’t think we should have worked together against the Hydra. He’s a fool, and I told him so. I don’t think he’s used to anyone telling him such things, and he didn’t seem to like it. He threatened to not take me to Delos on his boat, and I took him up on his offer. I figure that this will help show him just who is in the Rites and who is just the sponsor.
Cool. So you’re not worried that I might, hypothetically, have a secret plan to get there in a giant balloon?
You have a secret plan to make a giant balloon?
A hypothetical plan.
I see. You know, from what the scientist said, it sounds like Gort is out of the running, so it’s probably just the two of us left to complete the Rite of Destiny. And you never did tell me what you got up to after the Kattas took you out of Spielburg…
So we’ve got the time to trade stories, right? Fair enough. So after Abdulla took us to Shapeir, Shameen and Sheema—those are the two Katta—told us that they would get an inn set up within the next week. I didn’t quite believe them at the time, but…

*Hours Pass*

Ah, so that’s where you met Ferrari? I thought you two seemed to know each other.
Yeah, but…when did you see us together? I never see you at the tavern.
Let’s just say that I have been keeping a closer eye on you than you might think. But please, go on. So I assume you showed him the thief sign?

*More Hours Pass*

So you stole them both? I wish I could have been there to see the looks on their faces…
Yeah, it was hilarious. I felt like my matushka, “Now you boys quit fighting or I’ll take both your toys away!”
*Snort* ha ha ha ha ha ha!

*Even More Hours Pass*

…After seeing her pining away her afterlife for him, I just couldn’t keep it. So I broke back into his house and put the locket back.
I suppose that’s a noble thought, after a fashion. So what about you? Is there a woman who would keep you from your final rest?
Maybe…You know, I should probably get going now. We’ve both got some planning to do.
But you never said what happened with the Dark One. I mean, you won, of course, but what happened to the wizards?
They both died, and Erana’s Staff banished Avoozl. That’s all. See you at the Hall, Elsa.

The adventurers’ guild board has a couple more updates.





The Hydra is dead! It is amazing. I managed to sail near Hydra Island last night. Unfortunately, by the time I got near the island, it was time to return.
Hang on, since when could you sail to Hydra Island? Everyone kept telling me that boats don’t go out that far!
That is true, normally, because the islands near Hydra are known to have fierce monsters living there. We fishermen have always avoided that area. I think that is why the tritons didn’t attack my ship last night. They didn’t expect me to be in that area.
So was there any chance I could have gotten a boat out to Hydra if I had just asked you nicely?
I don’t think I would have gone if it were not for my curiosity, and there is no way I would have stopped on the island itself while the Hydra was still alive.
Well, at least I didn’t make a fool out of myself for nothing. See you around, Andre.
Yassas. I wish you good luck on your next Rite. I’m certain you will need it.


Morning, Nike. Off to get your destiny told again, from what I hear.
I’m starting to hate all these prophecies that keep showing up.
I hear you. Learning one’s fate isn’t much fun, usually. Seems like you always see the bad parts of the future. Can be a little depressing. But keep in mind that destiny is still a lot like prophecies: it only tells you what can happen if you do things right, not what will happen for certain. And remember, fortune-tellers never say things straight. What they tell you may be right, but it’s always subject to interpretation. Watch for all meanings of the words when you hear your destiny.
Have you been to Delos?
Oh, certainly. The Sybil can be kind of cold at times, and it takes a little gold to bring her around. The dryads, though, they’re worth the whole trip, themselves. The thought of that magical glade brings the chill of real beauty through my heart even now. Takes a real gift to get them going, though. Something to really sink their roots into, and sent the life sap soaring. Sort of like what you did for me. Hey, lad, ask me for my name again.
Fine. So what’s your real name?
I made this one after I heard where you were going. I think it’s rather appropriate.
I dallied with the dryads in their hidden oaken glade,
Pirouetted with the pixies as I sang a serenade.
I tried to flirt with Sibyl as she told me of my fate,
She laughed and called me “Eros,” but I didn’t get the date.
You hit on the Sybil?
I tried my best, at least.
You are a horny old man.
Hey now, it comes with the territory! You know, I should get back to Delos sometime. I’ll have to go there after I’ve finished writing this book.
And you’re still at it. See you later, FA.


Ah, welcome back to Science Island. I trust you are spending your time well with experimental research? I have been studying ways to get whiter whites and more colorful colors.
How’s that working out?
Unfortunately, relatively few of the sheets have survived the process thus far. Well, none, actually.
So I suppose you know about how angry Mobius got when he found out what Rite was next?
I’m beginning to get a bit peeved, myself. The new king should be someone who can think, not one who listens to the nonsense spouted by oracles. I mean, really, this is the stupidest one yet! Getting to Delos is an interesting challenge, but why would one want to go there? Oracles are for people who can’t make up their own minds, usually because they don’t have any.
I hear that. Fuck destiny, I say. Still, I’d like to win this Rite. So, would you happen to know a good way to make a flying balloon?
Ah yes, a classic scientific conundrum. What is lighter than air?
Special floating rocks?
While that would be fascinating if true, you are incorrect. Why does smoke rise and rain fall? Because smoke is hotter than the outside air, and seeks to escape to a cooler atmosphere. Rain is cold, and so it seeks the warmer ground. So what is lighter than air? Hot air!
So I should fill a balloon with hot air? Where would I get hot air? And how would I control it?
You could use the gondola outside. Some scientists tried to put wings on it once, but they couldn’t get it to fly very far. Well, actually, it crashed almost as soon as it took off. They never had time to continue the experiment, so you may as well use it, seeing as you’ve already rescued it from the water. If you could solve the weight issue with a “hot air” balloon, it may work quite splendidly.
Really? Thanks!
Not at all. Good luck on your journeys. There’s something new to learn everywhere.


Would you look at that, they really did put wings on this thing. And here I thought they were just strangely-shaped oars. Well, looks like I’ll need a balloon case, something to make it airproof, some rope to strap it down, and a heat source. I got some spare rope from the chest and gathered some sap from the tree on Hydra, but all I’ve got for cloth is this sheet I “borrowed” from Ann. Hmm, I wonder if she knows how to sew?


Aloha, boy. Oy, you’re a sight for shore eyes since islanded here.
Hey, Ann. You remember that painting I showed you?
Yeah, the flying ice cream cone that Wolfie drew?
That’s the one. Do you think you could stitch together something shaped kind of like that from this sheet?
Hmm, that sheet looks familiar. You got the sweets for sheets or something?
No, I just need it to build a flying device.
Flying? Well, as long as it doesn’t involve a straight stitch. I can’t do anything straight…
Well, you can run the inn just fine.
Thanks, Nike. That means a lot, coming from you.
Why?
Oh, no reason. I’ll have the sheet ready for you tomorrow or sew. So-sew!


Could you take a look at this painting?
What is this? It is unlike anything I have ever seen in the world.
It’s a flying balloon. I’m making one.
How very remarkable. But what has this to do with me?
I need a heat source, and I remembered that you make cooked food. Do you have a brazier I could use?
You need a brazier? I need one myself, if I am to sell my freshly-prepared wares. However, I do have an extra brazier I could probably sell you.
Great, I’ll take it.


Good evening, Dr. Mobius. Just here to double check a few things.
Good evening? What’s so good about it? Oracles and prophecies, poppycock!
Still angry about the Rite?
I am boiling with rage! Instead of science, they want Gort to indulge in prophecies. They want us to guide our lives on some faker’s made-up fortune!
Faker? I might not like destiny, but I’ve used it to solve a few problems.
Destiny, hogwash! A scientist’s destiny is whatever he chooses to make of it. Sending Gort to Delos is a total waste. He needs scientists, not seers!
So you’re really not going to send Gort even to humor Logos?
Logos must be as mad as they say I am if he expects the Sybil to yield anything but tripe and nonsense. Since you are obviously weak-minded enough to go, tell the oracle when you see her to get a real job. Perhaps picking pockets, or something else more honest than making up prophecies.

*The Next Day*


I sewed up that sheet you wanted. Hope it works for you.
Thanks, Ann. This should really help me out.
There you go. Take care of yourself. I mean, I wouldn’t want anything to happen to the sheet.


Great, now all I need is to set this up.


There’s the sheet, now I just have to cover it with sap…there…now I can tie it on with some ropes.


And there’s the brazier. Just a quick light with my tinderbox…


Ha ha, I’m a genius!



Holy shit, after five games they finally gave the hero an airship. And next time, I’ll show you what he does with it.