World Sphere - 205 -

Chapter 205: 

The distance and speed we were traveling were massive, even for the Sphere. I left a homing beacon in Skyholme in case we got lost, which was a real possibility. The transit passage to the Outer Sphere was thousands of miles across, and the navigation books we read said you just had to get close enough and then go high enough to spot the giant black hole.

Even though I didn’t have maps extending as far as the Sapphire Passage, I had a skilled navigator in Leda. I set up a workstation on the bridge for my artificing and started to work on the communication stones. I decided to go the simplest route and make paired stones. It meant one of each stone would be in a central communication hub to facilitate everything. A request would come into the hub, and the operator would locate the nearest available skiff and issue orders for the ride.

I was also going to add a simple runic communication stone with the echo enchantment I found in one of the books. This was a one-way communication stone, but the receiving stones could be duplicated as needed. So, if we needed to alert the taxi-skiff to an attack on Skyholme, we could do it with the echo stone. Large kingdoms used the echo enchantment to disseminate news.

I was a few hours into my work when Bleiz dropped his invisibility a few feet away. “Time for some exercise, Storme.”

“When Leda relieves me,” I said dismissively.

“I am here!” Leda chuckled from the archway. I looked at Adrial, who was sleeping, and Kiara, who looked disinterested. Neither cat had alerted me to Bleiz or Leda’s approach and I hadn’t set any alarms. I was getting complacent.

We went to the cargo hold, and Tibault and Neoma were down there and ready. I thought we would be practicing two on two but quickly found out it was to be three on me. I practiced without my lightning reflexes to start, getting thoroughly abused before slowly increasing my speed. It was good training and was almost fun since we could heal after our mistakes.

I used my cleanliness spell on everyone and made to go to the bridge. Bleiz growled, “No, Storme, feed the cats and go to bed.” We had a brief staring contest before I shrugged and went to my cabin. After the cats were taken care of, I made a significant amount of mithril before resting.

We were traveling over fifty miles above the surface and rarely saw any creatures or skyships this high up. None moved to engage us—or just lacked the speed to. The five days passed relatively quickly, and with the routine, I could feel my fitness slowly returning. It was most apparent during our weapons practice, and I was now equal to Bleiz, but I thought he might have been allowing me to win a bit to motivate me.

We were getting close to the Sapphire Passage, and Leda was at the helm, traveling about fifty miles above the surface. She nudged me at my workstation. “Look, that has to be it.” I looked and could see a dark black spot in the distance that stood out from the myriad of greens, blues, and yellows normally associated with the Sphere.

Even the cats huddled on the forward screen as the black dot grew. Leda pointed off to the right, a massive metallic ship traveled below us, easily twenty miles across and moving much slower than us but definitely headed for the passage. “That has to be one of the star ships. I hear they enter the Sphere and camp over powerful dungeons and then delve for aether crystals to power their voyages between the stars.”

“I wish to the Void between the stars one day,” Leda said in awe.

“Not this trip. I think a conglomerate controls this passage. It is only a few thousand units of aether crystal to pass for our small ship, but it would be a waste to just exit and then return.” I replied, and Leda nodded, disappointed. Leda elbowed and pointed to the right.

I had to use my telescopic eye spell to focus in on the flashes she had noticed far below. I was shocked by what I saw. A dozen large skyships were engaged in a pitched battle. Thick aether bolts, much more powerful than Skyholme used, were being tossed with abandon. Aether shielding flashed and failed. Explosions rocked the ships. I suddenly didn’t feel as safe and confident on my tiny transport.

I had been told before, but seeing it with my own eyes made it real. This was where the real power in the Sphere resided. We were still thousands of miles from the Passage, so I couldn’t even speculate on what they were fighting over. “Let’s get a little more altitude,” I said to Leda, who nodded and pushed us higher. We would reach the Passage in a few hours.

No one left the bridge as we approached and the below us hundreds of skyships danced like flies over a black pool. Inside the abyss leading to the Outer Sphere, specks of light were evidence of ships currently in transit. Bleiz murmured, “I never felt so small in my life before.”

I jolted when a voice echoed on our bridge. “Ship in quadrant sixteen—at two hundred miles—you are in violation of traffic pattern. If you plan to land, please approach via approach path seven.”

That had to be a powerful spell to get past our defenses and at this range. Unless there was a cloaked ship nearby. Our sensors had nothing out to fifty miles. I walked to the air, “This is the Maelstrom. It is our first visit to the Sapphire Passage. We are attending an auction is Elespolis.”

The voice sighed like his job was frustrating. “The eastern city of Elespolis is best accessed by approach path five. Do you want an escort?” There were actually four massive cities surrounding the passage. Each sprawled over a hundred miles and descended down the face of the passage.

“That would be helpful until we can get local maps,” I said.

“The fee is five hundred gold due on landing. Dock fees will be an additional one hundred gold a day…” He sounded exasperated as he relayed an endless stream of exorbitant fees to us. Everything was about ten times as costly as Skyholme, but getting as much help as possible to smooth out this trip was welcome.

A glossy red skyship took an hour to reach us and guide us down. It was much slower than the Maelstrom, but we remained off its stern. On our approach, a massive metallic blue dragon flew on our port side. Our escort didn’t seem concerned, but I still kept my hand hovering over the shield and weapon controls.

Leda pointed out towers with lights indicating our approach path. The signaling was mostly universal, and we descended among skyscrapers reaching hundreds of feet into the air. The dragon disappeared from our port, and I focused on helping Leda decipher the information overload. Us country bumpkins were entering the big city.

“There,” I pointed to rows of skyships, some wooden, some metallic. That landing pad looks available.” Leda turned and descended, and our escort veered away and accelerated back into the sky. As we landed, I exhaled. “Well, that was an adventure in itself. We have two days before the auction, but let's stick together.”

At the bottom of the ramp, a port administrator was flanked by two women in metal cuirasses that flexed when they moved. He was here to get his gold, and I paid all the fees and three days of fees. He left satisfied, and I looked up as we were nestled in the shadows of many buildings. I wondered if it was the engineering of magic that kept them from falling over.

“Leda, Neoma, and Tibault can stay with the ship. Blaze, let’s go find the auction house so we know where to go and confirm our registration.”  I wasn’t sure how safe the ports were but I could see no less than twenty city guards and port administrators from the ramp of the Maelstrom. It felt safe, at least.

The citizens of Elespolis were mostly humans with darker skin. The next highest population seemed to be dwarves. At least in the area of the city we were in. I turned into a map shop with Bleiz. Massive two foot high shelves dominated the walls with drawers containing large printed maps. It was surprised finding the shop so close tot eh large skyship dock. I didn’t spend too much time, just getting a few general maps. They were not as detailed as the Adventurer’s Guild Maps but would be useful if I needed them.

Most of the citizens were not carrying any weapons, and I didn’t see many arms and armory shops. But that could be due to the area of the city we were in. Bleiz whispered in my ear, “Look out for the boy with the brown hat. He is picking pockets.” I quickly located the boy and made eye contact, forcing him into an alley. It was nice having someone looking out for you.

We paused at one of the main crossroads and asked for directions as we knew we were close but needed to figure out where to go. I estimated we had walked almost four miles from the skyship port when we arrived. The auction house was an amphitheater and looked to have maybe 5,000 seats, a much smaller capacity than Myththorne, but then again, these auctions were more focused and more frequent. Remy had said there were only twenty lots for sale at the auction we were participating in, and they all revolved around animals and beast essences.

The young woman receptionist confirmed our entry, and that Remy had already paid. The receptionist even showed us to the two phantom kittens which were encased in a stasis cube. Kiara, with a twinge of jealousy through our link, stated, “Ugly.” She was still on the Maelstrom but seeing through my eyes.

I thought they were adorable myself, and that thought caused Kiara to sever our link. She knew the phantom kittens were not for me, but I think any competition made her angry. She was constantly outperforming her sister.

The receptionist showed us the other lots available at our auction, confirmed my mithril on hand, and we were all set. Now, all we needed to do was show up and bid. I turned to Bleiz, “Is there anything you want to do before we return?”

“Look at some common spells,” he stated. “I have two slots on my matrix and haven’t decided which tier-two spell I want to inscribe.”

I arched my eyebrow. I hadn’t talked to Bleiz about his personal development in a long time. “Sounds good. Maybe I can purchase some tier one, two, and three spells for the Academy Shop.” Finding the trade district and the recommended bookstore took us some time and another modest walk. The place was enormous, with nearly twenty floors of not just spell books, but extensive knowledge and history of the Sphere. The smell of aged paper hung in the air as we gawked from the lobby, looking up.

I separated from Bleiz as he went with a guide, and I went to sit with a bulk seller. Although dungeon spell books were more pricy, copies of standard tier one to three spells were not. An average tier one spell was about ten gold, with tier two at one hundred gold and tier three at three hundred gold.

Purchasing stacks of the same spell in lots gave a further discount. Rather than spend any of the coin I had prepared, I exchanged a tier-five spell I had obtained from the Black Spire. The spell was called mass suggestion, used for charming large crowds of people. It had significant value, but few people in Skyholme would have the spell slots for it, and I don’t know if I wanted anyone in Skyholme to learn such a spell.

Although I considered it useless, it was a dungeon spell book and a high tier. In the end, I got ten copies of 65 different spells. I stored 500 tier-one, 100 tier-two, and 50 tier-three spell books in my dimensional closet. All were generic spells, but they had great utility in delving.

Bleiz had come back with a spell book of his own, and I put on a wolfish grin when I tried to read the cover. “Strome, you can find out what it is after I learn it and surprise you in battle with it.” I returned his smile, and we walked out of the bookstore. The streets were packed with a kind of rush hour as we returned to the Maelstrom. Pickpockets seemed to be the only threat, and the number of guards walking the street in this part of the city deterred but the most brave.

Kiara was still upset with me, but I had to remember she was still just two years old. Her probing of my thoughts aided her understanding. She was much smarter than many people I knew and was gaining context as she grew. But today, she was being a baby, and I ignored her pouting. Adrial didn’t understand and tackled me to remind me it was time to eat. She was over two hundred pounds in her current growth spurt and solid muscle.

Neoma, Tibault, and Leda went to explore the city together and promised not to get too far. I started packaging up all the communication stones I had artificed on the trip. One hundred and seventeen pairs. I had one control stone for one hundred and seventeen echo stones as well. It had been a productive journey.

I worked on some simple long swords while waiting for the three to return. I was curious what my artificing work might get in one of these large transit cities. Many people favored small hand-held aether cannons, or even mechanical guns with runic bullets. Gunpowder was much too unstable in an aether-rich environment. You were just as likely to have the weapon explode as for it to send out a projectile.

I finished two blades before they returned. We had a meal together, and I could see Bleiz’s eyes red from the strain of studying the spell for hours. I had my suspicions on what he was learning but I wouldn’t snoop and let him surprise me.

“We tried to find the Arena, but it was six miles away, and we turned back. The clothing stores are amazing! They have fashions from across the Sphere. Aelyn is going to be disappointed she didn’t come.” Leda said merrily while eating.

I winced, “Please don’t tell her.”

Neoma laughed with a wolfish chuckle. “It may be too late for that. Leda spent a thousand gold on gifts!”

Leda had an indignant look on her face, “It was half that!” She smiled, “I spent the other half on myself.” She took the opportunity to show off everything she had purchased that day.

Was I not paying my Wolfsguard enough? I probed a few times, and the Tibault finally admitted they had a pact to spend any pay in the small community on the Black Spire estate. It was their way of supporting the other Wolfsguard. I knew that they recently moved an independent commerce system with me no longer supplying all their needs, but many of the Wolfsguard were employed by me and made more than most Skyholme citizens. I decided not to pry into the matter but would continue to pay the Wolfsguard high wages.

We retired for the evening after combat practice. Leda joined us, wanting to try out her new combat coveralls. After the short Sphere night, I headed into the city again with Bleiz. This time, a little more familiar, we reached one of the sprawling trade districts in quick order. There still were not that many weapons shops, but after walking through the shops, I turned into one.

The weapons racks were filled with a mix of common and exotic weapons and a handful of runic weapons. Two elves and an orc walked the shops under the supervision of the sole proprietor. I brushed my hand across the weapons as I walked through the display room.

I was impressed with what they offered here. It was much better than what the smiths could do in Skyholme, but I was far inferior to myself. It was twenty minutes before the elves left with a dirk, and the orc wandered alone. The proprietor, a plump older man, smiled as he approached. “I can see you two are exceptional warriors, welcome to Milo’s Blades. What are you interested in?”

I returned his smile, “This blade here has an imperfection. It will shatter along its length. I suggest you do not sell it. I am actually here to sell a blade I acquired in a place called the Skyholme Islands.”

I wanted to point out my expertise in analyzing a blade, but he pursed his lips unhappily, taking the blade I indicated would break. He studied with an eyeglass and then unceremoniously slapped it on a table hard. The blade broke exactly where I had indicated, but the merchant just huffed. “Well, what do you have for me, then?” He muttered something under his breath about how he obtained the faulty blade.

I produced one of the long swords I had just made. It had the hardness and sharpness enchantment on it. Worth a thousand gold in Skyholme. He was quickly impressed and brought it behind the counter to examine further. I could have gone to a shop that specialized in runic weapons, but I was testing the viability of my artificed weapons.

He took out several things to examine the blade more carefully, and the ignored orc left the shop. Bleiz continued to walk the shop, testing some of the most exotic weapons. Finally, he placed the long sword on the counter. “Fine, fine work. Obviously, it was made by a mage since I can’t find any imperfections. You are better off selling it at Mikal’s Runic Weapons.” He looked at me before I nodded for him to continue. “Twelve hundred gold is what I can offer. I am not going to lie. I will sell it for fifteen, maybe sixteen.”

I nodded. “Thirteen then.” He pursed his lips in his merchant’s game.

“Fine thirteen,” he said and retrieved platinum bars to pay. The bars were almost pure so I had no complaints. “If you find any more…” I nodded as I took the platinum.

Walking with Bleiz, I explained. “There is a much bigger market here, about a 30% premium over Llorth. But the Maelstrom is the only ship I have that can make it a reasonable amount of time and outrun any dangers. Maybe in the future, I will come here if I need some quick gold.”

“So, no more pirate hunting,” Bleiz asked mockingly.

“There will always be pirate hunting and dungeons, but sometimes they are hard to find, and they have been avoiding Skyholme for some reason,” I joked back.

We returned to the Maelstrom and I sold the other long sword at another shop for 1,350 before I headed to the auction with Bleiz the following day. The good part in such a diverse nexus, the Maelstrom was an innocuous ship. It's not really valuable when you consider all the aether-tech vessels that could travel to the Outer Sphere and maybe even to other stars.

The phantom kittens were the sixth lot up for bid at the auction. A black Pegasus foal was the first lot, and it quickly sold for 28,000 gold. A beast essence for heat resistance was next, closing at 10,250. The third and fourth items were basilisk eggs. Egg was confirmed viable and sold for 11,000 and 12,000, respectively. I was interested in the fifth item but knew it would go for more than I cared to bid.

It was a prismatic pseudodragon egg. A miniature dragon that was highly intelligent and capable of some moderate magic. I thought about getting it for Freya, but she had Monty. I was sure if Kiara was had been linked to me, she would have deeply objected. The egg sold for just over fifty thousand gold. Less than I had speculated, but I was still glad I had not bid.

The two phantom cats were rolled out next, and it looked like they were encased in ice from the stasis spell. The announcer revealed to the crowd the item, “Not one but two phantom kittens captured in the Heavenly Jungle outside of the Dark Despair dungeon! Both are currently malnourished, but other than that, they are in perfect health!”

The cats were paraded for a bit before he continued. “Phantom kittens make ideal pets, guards, and guardians! Let’s start the bidding at 2,000!” As the price went up, he continued to expound upon the creatures. I had read multiple books and knew everything he orated to the crowd to try and drive up the price.

I entered the bidding at 10,000 gold for the pair, holding up a conventional paddle with a number on it. I stepped out and came back in at 15,000 gold as the bidding was slowing. It looked like my competition was with a raven-haired elf and a chubby, bald halfling. By their slow bidding, I was not worried about winning the cats. I entered again at 20,000 and then at 22,000.

A new bidder entered at 25,000, raising my bid by three thousand. I craned my neck to see a man with slick-backed golden hair in a black suit in a private booth. He had a self-assured grin of superiority. Of course, I was going to run into one of these rich brats.

The bidding war started bouncing between us, quickly raising the price to 40,000 thousand before my competition started to get uncertain. He obviously had a budget and limit, whereas I did not. I never looked back at him as I had patiently outbid him, but Bleiz whispered to me what he was doing. He stopped bidding at 42,000, and my bid of 43,000 was accepted.

I stood and walked with Bleiz to collect my prize, not waiting for the auction to end. In a side room, my mithril was scrutinized by an older woman. She called it dungeon-grade mithril, and soon, the transaction was completed. I stored the kittens in stasis inside my dimensional closet, and we returned to the Maelstrom. Not wanting to risk getting caught up in any type of reprisals, we lifted off as soon we were cleared.

Leda got us on course while I placed the two stasis cubes on the bridge. Kiara hissed unhappily while Adrial stalked around them, sniffing. It was humorous for a while before I stored them again, not risking Kiara’s displeasure. With the task completed, maybe I could finally get some rest.

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