Chapter 3.32: The Loot is All Ours

Chapter 3.32: The Loot is All Ours

Was that so hard? Tresk asked.

Hmmm? What? Khahar asked.

Zankir was glued to the battlements of the wall. He shuddered as though he wanted to speak, but nothing came out. The absolute power Khahar held over his people was impressive, if not frightening. Theo had it in his mind that Antal was Khahar from the start, but he couldnt find a motive. If what Zarali said about him was true, why the hell would he row a boat across the ocean to visit Broken Tusk? Or was it as simple as needing a vacation, as the alchemist had suggested.

Letting us know who you were! Tresk said, clapping her hand over his shoulder. Oh, youre real firm for an old guy.

Khahar smiled.

Could you do something for him? Theo asked, pointing at the quivering mass of Khahari that was Zankir. And give me a little backstory on why you want to visit Broken Tusk so badly.

We shall work, Khahar said. As we discuss this.

Khahar vanished from the wall again, reappearing at the edge of the pit. Zankir gained some of his senses again, but was still muttering nonsense. Theo and Tresk jumped over the wall and joined the leader of the Khahari near the harbor.

Hey, no vanishing while youre on the clock, Alise said. Back in the pit.

Khahar bowed and jumped back into the pit. He moved his blocks into place, setting them with the magical mortar. It was as though the reveal meant nothing to him, so why travel under an assumed name?

I didnt mean for you to find out so soon, Theo, Khahar shouted from the bottom of the pit. I wanted to take the measure of a new leader. What better way than to see how they treat their workers?

Theo helped transport more blocks into the pit. Those who had inventories were valuable for that task. He loaded his inventory up with stones then climbed down the makeshift ladder the laborers had assembled. Those citizens of Broken Tusk that were working at the bottom of the muddy harbor seemed confused about this turn of events.

I found your shores easily, but I have been watching for a week, Khahar said.

Whatever he said was music to Theos ears. It didnt matter what the leader of the Khahari did, just that he came clean with the alchemist. That mattered more than anything.

What kind of man is Theo Spencer? I asked myself that question, Khahar said, lifting a marble block with one hand. He set it in place, pushing aside the mud with his free hand. Why is he interested in trading with the Khahari?

I heard no one trades with your people, Theo said. Didnt expect contact until we had the port running.

Khahar paused, turning to smile at Theo. There was a warmth there that radiated outward, bathing that stinking pit with a cleansing light.

Thoughts travel my way. Sometimes, Khahar said, setting another block in place. Intent. Dreams. Errant wills. Most are consumed by the Will of Khahar, but your willingness to establish contact was too strong.

Theo doubted that. He bought some of the leaders story, but had learned to look out for other motives. Even if Khahar heard him from across the ocean, it seemed like a strange way to make contact. Still, there were more interesting questions he could ask an ancient leader.

What level are you? Theo asked.

Ah, thats a good question, Khahar said. He was softening by the moment. You should have seen the world when it was forged, Theo. Chaos. Did you know levels go into the thousands?

In fact, he suspected that was the case. But there seemed to be a tendency of people on this planet to fight for godhood when they reached a certain level. The alchemist understood Khahars thought process was likely incomprehensible. It would take his entire willpower to even speak like a normal person, let alone engage in a conversation.

I thought it might, Theo said, hoisting another block for Khahar to set. How hard is it to think like a normal person?

Always smart, Khahar whispered, not low enough to avoid Theos ears. Its almost impossible. Like instructing an ocean how to dance. Or Ah, well. Its difficult.

It should have been intimidating talking to someone so powerful. But since Drogramath had become a familiar bedfellow, Theo didnt find himself put off. He just wanted to get as much information out of Khahar while he was here. The mans whims could send him off, back to the Khahari Desert, at a moments notice. Even now, the alchemist realized the small rowboat was a diversion or a coincidence. It was part of a plan that fell apart too soon for Khahar.

Then something struck Theo. This was all planned. Khahars [Intelligence] attribute was at a level that made coincidence impossible. Hed have everything planned out to an unknowable stage.

It would never take you long to figure that out, Khahar said, chuckling. The laugh seemed fake and Theo was taken aback. Either from Khahars foresight, or ability to read his mind. I cant read minds. I just make predictions.

Im not sure which is worse, Theo said.

Khahar nodded, suddenly sullen. Then he righted his expression and smiled again.

No need to worry about all that, Khahar said. My people dont even know Im gone and Ill be back before you realize. Im just here to watch.

Theo nodded. Overwhelming power like this couldnt be fought, and he was lucky Khahar seemed friendly if a little distant. He relaxed in the presence of the god-like figure, helping him set the stones in place and trying to strike up a conversation. He was glad to give a brief history of his people, including a first-hand account of the forging of the world.

60,000 years ago, the planet was formed. Khahar skipped some details about how everyone was brought here, but it was a scramble for survival. The system was set in place the moment they set foot on the planet, then hell broke loose. Everyone was encouraged to fight to the death until only a few survived from each of their race. Khahar paired with a woman, and they formed the Khahari people who had endured for all those millennia without changing much. Their desert was surrounded by a field of power, known as the Will of Khahar, which acted as a shroud.

I wanna do more than just lay pipes, mayor, Sledge said, crossing her arms.

Yeah, but you need experience to get more skills, Theo said. Lets start over. What skills do you have?

The [Fabricator] class was based around the idea that seed core buildings couldnt be modified. If a person took a brick from their house, it would vanish and then the building would rebuild itself. [Fabricators] could modify the structure of a seed core building, and perhaps a towns seed core and so on. Sledge explained that she wasnt even level 5 yet, as she was too busy with the mill. Her only ability was [Modification], which allowed her to rearrange the structure of a building without it rebuilding itself. It was a long road before shed be doing what Theo wanted her to do.

Thats when youll get the [Tamper] skill, Theo said. They took a while to review which skills seemed like the best ones. The alchemist found the skill in his endless list, thanks to the search feature, and inspected it.

[Tamper]

Fabricator Skill

Epic

Allows the user to change the nature of a seed core.

Effect:

Apply unaligned mana to any seed core to change its nature.

Look at the wording, Theo said. It says seed core, rather than seed core building. Thats big.

Theo didnt want to go into where he thought this would go. This was the first step to becoming a [Coresmith], he could feel it with his intuition. Like most things with the system, it was training wheels for something bigger.

So, what can I do with this? Sledge asked.

Hard to say, but I think well be looking at some serious upgrades, Theo said. I want you to take that ability at level 10, then if you can spare the point at level 15 take [Synergistic Links].

Theo inspected that skill, which seemed like the real winner here.

[Synergistic Links]

Fabricator Skill

Legendary

Apply production chain links between seed cores.

Effect:

Apply unaligned mana to establish bonuses to production chain buildings.

Production chains mean things like mining to smelting to blacksmithing, Theo said.

I understood that, Sledge said, glowering. You dont have to treat me like a baby.

But baby asked for help, Theo said, grinning. He continued before she could slap him. Youre busy. I get it. Talk with Alise or one of her henchmen if you need help restructuring the sawmill. Remember, youre the most important piece to my boat-building puzzle.

Sledge swelled with pride at that comment. She puffed her chest out and smiled.

I am, arent I? Sledge asked.

You are, Theo said, patting her on the head. He explained what was so important about the [Fabricator] class with his air conditioning plan. Sledge didnt understand it entirely, the heat didnt hinder the Marshlings as much as the other races. But with Humans, and other cold-weather enjoying races coming to town, this would be important. People would pay a premium to keep their houses cool and seed core houses didnt have upgrades to regulate the temperature. Theo just hoped Xolsa wouldnt sell his magically cold fire.

Yeah, I saw an Elf, Sledge said. An Elf. Living in Broken Tusk. Well, they look hard as shells, so theres that.

Theo nodded. He needed to remember to check in with Sledge more often. She needed more direction than the others, and she wouldnt come to him for help unless it was dire. The Marshling was happy with his advice, and his promise that she would lead the air conditioner project. The alchemist wasnt sure if the project would pay off, but that didnt matter. Leveling his [Fabricator] was more important, so he would push ahead anyway. Work like this often led to other work. It revealed a hole in the needs of Broken Tuskers that he could exploit.

Im off, Sledge said. Thanks. Oh, and youre the baby. Im not a baby.

Theo couldnt even remember what he was doing before Sledge arrived. His mind felt scrambled from so many weird things happening today, but he righted himself when Tresk sent him a private message.

You coming to dinner, or what? Zaralis about to melt. She cant even talk to this Khahar dude, Tresk said.

Theo rushed out of the lab, making his way directly to the town hall.