World Sphere - 177 -

Chapter 177

It was a relief to be returning to Skyholme. We had been gone longer than I had planned. During the return trip, Toblan kept Bleiz busy. The ship only had two decks. The lower deck was a cargo hold, while the upper deck had a central runic room, the bridge, the captain’s cabin, and two smaller crew cabins. The cargo hold was set up as a bunk room for the crew and my guests. Sana had one of the crew cabins, and the other belonged to Bleiz.

Toblan was bored and constantly wandered to the upper deck. He was allowed only on the bridge, but Bleiz caught him trying to enter the runic control room multiple times. Sana said it was in his nature to go places he was not supposed to be. I was sure he knew we had powerful aether crystals on board just by our speed. I wanted to keep how powerful a secret. Sana had done me the favor of hiding the hidden panel behind a powerful illusion for added security.

Aelyn took the spell matrix enhancement dungeon essence and tried to decide what spells she wanted to learn with the ten additional points on her aether matrix. Aelyn was not great at imprinting spells and tended to struggle with anything higher than tier 1. Still, Sana had a lot of advice to help her narrow her choices.

During the first few days of travel, I spent most of my time on the bridge with the cats. I was artificing and trying to level my dimensional closet spell by pulling items in and out of it. Sana seemed to think it was best for me to get another evolution as soon as possible, and she was the expert.

Two days into the trip, the aetheric radar showed three ships in combat along our path. I diverted and slowed while using the telescopic eye to figure out what was happening. As best I could figure, two pirate ships were trying to ground a large merchant ship. Neither pirate ship was black, so they didn’t belong to the Black Mauraders. Still, they were pirates, and I was prepared to deal with them.

I swung the Maelstrom to intercept and activated the ship alarm. A flurry of activity, and soon Sana, Aelyn, and Bleiz were on the bridge. “Two pirate ships trying to ground a large merchant. It is losing altitude quickly, and I think they used an aetheric disrupter on it.”

Bleiz asked, “What do you plan to do?”

I smiled, “Give them a taste of their own weapon. I was hoping for a chance to test out my disrupter cannon this trip. I thought for a moment. Aelyn, can you keep an eye on Toblan? The gnome might snoop around during the combat.”

Aelyn huffed in disappointment, “If we are going to board them, let me know so I don’t miss out.” Aelyn grumbled as she left the bridge.

I corkscrewed the Maelstrom on our approach as we descended on the fight. I targeted the largest ship, and they pulled out of the engagement to face us. It was a large warship with dozens of men on deck. Bleiz made a request, “If you are going to exchange with one of them, just make sure you warn us.”

“When have I not?” I said as I focused on lining up my shot. A half dozen small aether cannon shots and spells targeted us, but only one caused our aether shield to flash. I didn’t want to miss, so I got within 800 yards and triggered the cannon. I veered away, planning to come back around from the enemy’s stern. As they reappeared in the forward viewport, the ship was tilting hard left.

Sana was behind me, surprised, “One shot and took out their port anti-gravity runes?”

“I am surprised, too. I think their aether shields were down. Probably to maintain pursuit on the trader.” I slid the Maelstrom wide left and targeted the port side again, getting an easy hit. The aether disrupter needed about eight seconds to saturate the runes for a fully charged shot. The strike caused the ship to tilt to port harder and lose altitude. “I think I got some primary control runes. They are not going to be able to recover unless they have an artificer on board to clear the chaotic aether in the runes.”

We zipped past them, and I returned to target one of the skiffs leaving the ship, getting an easy hit. The skiff was packed with pirates and plummeted immediately towards the surface of the Sphere. I muttered, “I wish I had this cannon when the Mauraders attacked.” I steered the ship back up toward the battle.

Closing in on the other pirate ship caused them to flee. The other pirate ship was smaller, quicker, and smarter. It tried to outrun us, but that was not going to happen with the Maelstrom pursuing them. We got on their stern, and I remained at 800 meters, taking a shot every eight seconds. The first hit overtook their aether shielding. The second and third shots missed as they flew erratically to dodge. The fourth shot greatly slowed their speed, making them easy targets. The fourth and fifth had them plummeting from the sky.

Sana was impressed, “Storme, this little ship has some pretty impressive teeth.”

Bleiz laughed, “At least he didn’t abandon ship to fight them in a melee. I am not sure I could have done as well.”

I bathed in the praise as we returned to the large trader to check on them as the two pirate ships tumbled toward a hard landing. “Sana, do you have any communication spells?”

“A voice enhancement, yes. Do you want me to go up on deck and talk to them?” She asked calmly. I nodded, and she went up onto the top viewing deck.

“Impressive. I am surprised you didn’t send your new elemental after them.” Bleiz said as he scanned the deck of the trader we were approaching.

“It doesn’t have enough flight speed for aerial combat. Maybe if I could get it inside their bubble, it could wreak havoc. Next time, I will try.” As Sana’s voice echoed, I pulled alongside the merchant, and the sailors looked prepared to fight.

“You are clear of the threat. Do you need any more assistance?” Sana’s amplified voice asked. The trader was still slowly descending from the sky but had enough control that I was not concerned.

It took a few moments before a voice returned, “Thank you for your timely aid. We will be touching down to recover our aether crystals. Their cannons bled much of their aether. Who can I thank for your impressive aid?” I guessed their aether disruptors worked by draining aether instead of disrupting the aether flows through runes like mine. My cannon still drained aether crystals but did so much more.

Sana’s voice echoed in the skies, “You can thank High Mage Storme of the Skyholme Islands.” I really didn’t want the acclaim or the Skyholme Islands to be put out there. The islands were still recovering, but it was probably already common knowledge that we had repelled the Black Mauraders’ attack.

They thanked us, and I veered to pursue the smaller pirate ship as it had managed to get its decent under control. I didn’t want to spend time eliminating the pirates, but Bleiz’s idea of the lighting elemental was good. I raced into the failing ship’s atmospheric envelope and deposited an elemental with the directive to eliminate as many pirates as it could. I raced away, taking a few hits on our aether shields from spells. The pirates panicked as they tried to abandon the ship, but only a few had flight abilities. The elemental I cast had enough aether to sustain itself for ten minutes.

The first pirate ship was almost to the ground, and I raced to it. With my sight enhanced by the spell, I watched it crash. The bow crumpled, and large chunks of wood exploded from it as the skeleton of the ship was compromised. As we approached, a number of pirates had survived the crash. They moved free of the wreckage, fleeing as we approached. I circled for minutes until the first elemental expired, cast another elemental above the ship, and sent it to clean up the mess.

“I am going to retrieve the aether crystal. Land the Maelstrom after the elemental expires.” I felt the elemental spell level up and assumed it was somehow gaining experience from the efforts against the pirates. I understood that for the spell to level, the lightning elemental needed to be close to me, and the second elemental was a good mile below us.

“Sana, how is my elemental spell leveling?” I asked her as she had returned to the bridge.

“Your affinity to lightning magic. It gives you a broader range to connect to the elemental. Do you want help with the pirates?” Sana said calmly.

“No. It looks like the elemental is dealing with the remnants. I will be quick getting the aether crystal and board when you land. Bleiz, are you ready?” I didn’t wait for a response and exchanged with an injured pirate below.

Screams and cries surrounded me as I appeared in the wreckage off the port side of the ship. A large portion of the ship was missing, and I walked into the ship. I could still see the fight above through cracks in the deck. The lightning elemental was still fighting two mages on the top deck. One of the mages had his aether shield overwhelmed and was stunned by the ranged attack. The elemental dove into him and slashed the defenseless human. His screams were drowned by the crackling sounds of arching electricity in the air.

I walked the lower decks, killing injured pirates as I searched for the core room. The crew was mostly human, but I found the corpses of some elves and a dwarf. I just hoped no one had run off with the crystal, as it would be a good power source for the dungeon transport Remy was designing.

Two men burst out of a room. One was bleeding from the head, and the other had a broken arm, but tucked under the broken arm was a tier-six aether crystal the size of a child’s fist. “Thank you for getting that for me. If you put it down and run away, I won’t kill you.” The two looked at each other, dropped the aether crystal, and ran opposite me. I would keep my word, but the lightning element might still kill them.

I picked up the aether crystal, tossed it in my hand, felt its weight, and searched for defects. It was a good crystal and was much better than I had planned to use. By its size, I guessed the indigo crystal was about one thousand units, worth around 600,000 gold. It was a very good haul, and the ship had been more impressive than I had thought.

I stepped into the room the two pirates had exited. As I had guessed, two dead humans were on the floor, and this was the runic control room. I placed my hand on the runes and pulled all the gold and platinum I could. Even with the impressive core crystal, not a trace of mithril was used on this ship.

It wasn’t much, about 12,000 gold worth, but it was still something, and it had only taken me a minute. I exited the ship and noted the pirate who had dropped the aether crystal was smoking and charred from the lightning elemental. The other one apparently got away. The Maelstrom landed nearby, and everyone exited the ship, ready to fight, but there was nothing left to do. I boarded the ship, walking past them. The cats seemed the most upset at the lack of foe, and Adrial whined with pitiful meows that I had abandoned them.

The elemental had used its breath weapon several times, but it had lasted more than ten minutes. The siphon ability must be working well, and I would have a difficult choice in the next upgrade on whether to enhance this ability or do something else. On the bridge, Bleiz asked, “Are we going to salvage the other pirate ship?”

“No, it was a smaller ship, and this was clearly the leader. Just do a flyover and make sure it is permanently grounded.” I let a Bleiz do the flying as I used my sight spell to inspect the wreckage. “The ship is heavily damaged, and I do not see any signs of life. The merchant should be safe; let’s take the ship to altitude and get back on course to Skyholme.”

Aelyn entered the bridge disgusted, “Bleiz, it is your turn to watch the gnome.”

“Problem?” I asked, seeing Aelyn’s concern.

She shook her head, “He was looking for the aether cannon. He found the forward compartment, but I stood behind him the entire time with Thibalt and didn’t let him enter. You can’t have a thief as a guest on your ship, Storme.” Aelyn leaned against the wall. “You also went and had fun without me.”

I tossed her the tier six aether crystal and took the pilot’s seat from Bleiz. “I just went shopping for that. You can give it to Remy. I am sure it is more powerful than what he needs.”

I got the Maelstrom on the correct heading and then double-checked the maps after I locked in speed and course. Things had calmed down. Sana was still on the bridge, and I asked her, “Can you spend some time with Freya? Talia has been teaching her, but I plan to give her this.” I produced the dungeon essence with the note certifying it. Sana arched an eyebrow, impressed as she read it.

“Certainly Storme. I don’t plan to stay too long, but we will talk before I leave. I will share everything with you. My life’s work as promised.” I nodded a thank you and focused on getting us home.

The first island came into sight early the next day. It was just minutes to reach the central island after that, and we were landing at the Black Spire. It felt like we had been gone a year, not just two weeks. Isla came out of the tower to greet us. “Isla, has anything happened?”

“No. Things have been quiet. People were anxious when you didn’t return after a week, but news is already spreading about your return.” Isla looked over at the strangers.

Aelyn introduced them, “This is Captain Delilah. She is representing King Nirhaan of Myththorne. This is Maerlyn, a new member of my delve team.” She looked around, “The gnome trying to sneak into the Black Spire is Toblan. He is Bleiz’s responsibility, not mine.”

“And you remember Sana. You can tell Talia her grandmother has returned for a short while.” I noted. I whistled for the cats and headed toward the Black Spire.

Isla yelled at me as I walked away, “Callem wanted to see you when you returned. He said he would come out the Spire. Do you want me to tell him he can come now?”

I paused in my walk, “Yes. I will meet him. I will be on the fourth floor of the Spire. Send him up.”

I climbed the stairs rather than flying for the benefit of the cats. I found Toblan at the door to the fifth floor, already studying the runes. Bleiz was leaning against the wall. “Couldn’t wait?” I asked the gnome.

He waved his hand in the air behind me but did not answer as he was casting some spells, and I assumed I was distracting him. I waited patiently as the gnome worked. I almost left after an hour, but he finally stepped back. His face was sweating, and he jumped on seeing me. “I can’t do it.”

I was going to try and stoke his ego to try but instead asked, “Do you know someone who can?”

Toblan scrunched his face, “I meant to say I can’t open this door right now. Or enter through one of the walls. But I can set up an array to drain the aether faster than it can be replenished. After the aether crystal powering the arcane lock and wards are no longer powered, we should be able to gain entry. I am guessing a powerful aether crystal is supplying them with power. For my fee, I want that aether crystal.”

I growled out, “We already decided on your fee, Toblan. You can leave as I am guessing the aether crystal is multiple times more valuable than the fee we decided on.”

The gnome grinned, “You are not going to find anyone capable of gaining entry. The wards have tracers, and there are layers upon layers. It is designed to only allow entry to a very specific aether core of the mage who set them.”

“Then I guess I will never find out what is behind the door. I have other things to occupy my time.” I said, dismissing him.

“What!” He looked up, “There is so much space above, and this mage was more skilled than any mage I have ever seen. The wonders inside will far surpass the one aether crystal!”

I shrugged, “You can take a skyship to Aegis City and then use the portal network to return.”

The small gnome ground his teeth in frustration. Bleiz’s face showed amusement. I walked down the steps to leave, and the gnome rushed after me. However, he stopped cold as Kiara and Adrial were waiting at the bottom of the steps. “Wait!” He huffed and steamed a little. “There is too much risk involved for the offer.” I didn’t turn around and let him continue. I had assumed he would try to renegotiate. “Half a million gold.”

Without turning around, I shook my head no. “Bleiz, can you escort Toblan to the Skyhold.”

“Fine, I will do it for the original price, but I need supplies for the array,” he bargained.

“How much? I will have Bleiz get them and make sure you use everything he collects for you.” I could see the gnome wincing but hadn’t turned around.

“Ninety to ninety-five thousand. I don’t know your material prices in the islands,” he admitted reluctantly.

“Agreed, and I will keep the supplies after the job is done,” I added. I could hear the gnome spluttering and unable to speak. It would have been easy for the gnome to add a lot of platinum to an array that was not needed and then just walk away with it. “Anything else?”

When he didn’t say anything, I told Bleiz, “Have Pakkam send ten Wolfsguard to help you make sure the gnome has everything he needs.” I walked away, knowing the extra ten Wolfsguard were just there to keep an eye on the gnome.

Hopefully, I would know soon what was in the archmage’s personal chambers.