Chapter 366: What do we want and how do we get it?

Chapter 366: What do we want and how do we get it?

"I'm a simple man with simple desires." Ben paused to see if anyone laughed outright at him but saw only curiosity. Disappointed, he continued on. "I'd like to have a small mansion with a hidden laboratory, something that reminds me of Franklin House. With a wine cellar, of course. Sneaking in and raiding Billy's booze is fun, but I'd like a larger collection and some of the bottles he buys are below even my standards. And I want enough time off for travel and exploration. I have a fast horse, but I'd like to add a sleek ship to my transport option. A bonus if she sails the clouds and can go to other realms. And clothes. I want a closet full of fine clothes for when I enter society at the capital."

Ozzy snorted loudly. "Is that a not-too-subtle hint about my ship-in-a-box? Been damn little time for side projects, and I want to make sure Billy and ACME can't get their hooks into her. But I agree. I'd love a fast little smokejammer to make travel and exploration easy. But, about enough time off to explore? Why waste vacation time when we can get paid to do it? We need to make Billy assign us those tasks."

Suzette thought for a moment, her eyes gaining a slight glow in their depths as she reached out to something inside of her. "I give Captain Ozzy leave to build his ship in my realm and grant him a trade agreement with Silverthorn Vale. You may select land to build a shipyard big enough to construct a Smokejammer of your design." Her voice held a note of authority as she said it. Then she slumped and reached for her drink. "Such an odd feeling, and strangely tiring."

Ozzy nodded slowly as a blue system box appeared in front of him. "I accept."

Ben drank down his beer and smiled widely. "A secret pirate cove in another dimension? An excellent start. Might even be a nice place for a not-so-secret laboratory near the shipyard. If the place is already a mess, you won't be upset if I blow something up. A few craters in the landscape will add some character. Some magic in this world is messy. I want to explore more of the runic magic I've dabbled with and the magi-tech stuff, mixing science and magic. I've got an option to steer my legend that way."

The tavern keeper brought another jug of beer and refilled the pitcher to much thanks. Rolly took his mug, adding in a deadpan voice, "I'm sure you'll find a nice poisoned lake full of rippy fish to serve as a harbor."

Ben looked at Suzette, hoping that Rolly was joking. She shrugged and said, "Sorry, my kingdom is a fixer-upper, and the available water has some problems. But the rent is cheap. And I hear from Ozzy that Squirmie loves the taste of the rippy fish."

The mention of Squirmie brought her to the other's attention. She was sitting on Rolly's shoulder, very quiet. Ozzy quirked an eyebrow at Rolly, and he carefully patted her head. "She went to sleep as soon as we arrived. I think it's part of the privacy magic. I'll fill her in when we leave; there aren't secrets between us anymore. She's fully on team Sedgewick. We're working to shake things up a bit in Tartarus and make some changes in her family, but that's a long-term goal. We'll need to hit Tier Five before I drag you into those plans. Our current goals are helping the rest of you, grinding levels, and eating well. I'm steering my Mom and I had a very encouraging talk. She's a little grumpy, but I'm winning her over."

"When you say Mom...?" Ben had hesitated even to ask. Sometimes, you didn't want to know with Rolly.

"Squirmie's Mom, the Hive Queen. She's not bad for an Ancient-Apocryphal-Harbinger-of-Doom-for-everything-that-lives. She's old and stuck in a rut, but I'm winning her over. We had a good talk while Squirmie caught up on things with her sister. Good times. But I'm jealous of Suzy getting a look at the Desolation. I want to visit and see that huge snake and all the other neat critters there."

She shuddered a little bit, thinking of the snake she'd seen. "I'll tell Hermes you want to visit, but good luck getting him to go back. He seemed spooked."

"Awesome, thanks. And when Ben and Ozzy finish their ship, maybe we can fly over for a visit."

"Nope."

Rolly leaned forward. "Good, that's settled. What about adventuring? We need to keep clearing the stockyards, but neither that nor the Beast Woods is going to be efficient for that. The Menagerie is getting cleaned out by the Fae regularly, and there will be adventuring guilds coming to Gadobhra. I wouldn't mind sneaking in on a week there isn't competition, but we shouldn't mess with Billy's cash-cow. Where are we going to grind some levels? Ghoul slaying?"

Ozzy blew out a smoke ring. It floated quickly up to the rafters and dodged around the carved wooden supports. "I say we hit the Pit of the Butcher and hit it hard. Do it every chance we get. Right now, the few groups that went in are scared of it. But I think some of our specialized butchering skills will help out, and in a straight-up fight, our extra stats give a big edge. The players have a ton of options, special moves, and fancy spells. But the Pit is a brutal fight where our extra health, stamina, and mana could be more useful. Plus, we may be able to get some inside information from my assistant Butcher. I'll continue to take on the tank role."

Suzette thought for a moment. "More mana and I have access to more spells now."

"Extra damage for me and Squirmie. And don't neglect those spiffy levels in Pack Hunting from the Hunter's Shrine. If we're going into the Pit, then getting an extra 60 damage a hit on elites will help take them down faster. If you have points in the Hunter's Guild, use those first, the Enhancement points. The group is nicely balanced now. Ozzy tanks, and we'll slice and dice. Our healing is slower than Ben's, so Squirmie and I will go DPS, we'll back Ben up on healing."

Ben was surprised, then scowled. "Wait! How did I get stuck as the healer? Suzy has potions and a healing spell and you can heal wounds."

Rolly spread his hands. "Sorry, Ben. But none of us can call down a huge fire strike that's also a band-aid. We have a mage, a tank, and two DPS; that means you're the healer."

"Alright, but only in the dungeon! I have a reputation to uphold as a dashing pirate and troublemaker. I don't want to give Diego more ideas about pushing me into Paladin."

The discussion continued, but eventually, they were ready to leave. They waved to their host and Suzette went to thank him personally. "I know you won't take a coin, but I want to thank you for letting us visit. Just the feel of the place inspires me. I want to make my little tavern better."

He nodded. "Men and women have met to drink and talk since the dawn of time, and there will always be taverns. I look forward to visiting yours someday. But some advice, if you will accept it?"

"Yes, of course."

"Do not neglect your brewing. You have the spark for it. The Bludgeon beer is an atrocity that needs to be purged from every tavern, but your brews enhanced with alchemy are interesting. Continue on the path. Nothing bad ever came from brewing good beer. And I have a gift, if you will accept it. These are from my garden and fields."

He passed over two small sacks, one of barley and one of hops seed. "I travel and collect recipes. When you have something new, I will let my sons care for my tavern and drink a mug at yours."

The four travelers left by the door, shutting it behind them. Ahead of them was a path that led to home.Ñøv€l-B1n was the first platform to present this chapter.