Dungeon Life

Chapter One-Hundred Sixty-Three

I try not to listen in on Teemos thinking to himself. I think hes better at ignoring it than I am, but the distance makes it a little easier, even if some of the things hes thinking about get my neurons jogging. Spacial stuff that deals with mass and densities? Thats some fundamental stuff there, but I dont want to dump my suspicions about what hes working towards on him. I dont even know if its an affinity that can be claimed.

I think hell be better served if I let him figure it out on his own. None of the other scions have gotten affinities just for me telling them stuff. Theyve all had to figure it out on their own. It's difficult to tell if the blank looks I get from explaining are because the bond isn't the best for complex concepts, or if they just don't have the same foundational knowledge. Theres a difference between knowing and understanding, I suppose. Either way, I'll wait until Teemo asks, if he ever does.

Kinda like the difference in saying Ill keep Rezlar more in the loop, and actually keeping him in the loop. Its a bit more difficult with Teemo out scouting, but I really should make an effort. Right, I also really should try to take the Quartermaster on that tour, too. Hullbreak is making an effort, but I can feel him struggling to know what to do at times. Getting him a good view of how I do things would be a big help for guiding him, and might even help me identify what Ive missed or managed to ignore.

Maybe I should take one of Violets scions, too. Maybe Onyx? Shes probably the one that would have the easiest time of wandering around. Legs is a bit big, Cappy is a bit uh legless, and Nose would probably prefer to burrow than walk. Ill let her decide who she wants to send, though, and figure out how to get Rezlar to come visit. I think I actually have a few options, surprisingly.

I havent been testing the limits of the whole only communicate via a Voice thing that the system scolded me for a while ago, but I think I have at least two loopholes to potentially (ab)use. The first is my ravens. I havent told them to say anything, but most of them have picked up at least a few words here and there. Id be surprised if they havent learned Tarls name, but Im pretty sure they have. They just prefer making a general racket to chanting his name when he shows up. I dont think I could get actual sentences out of them, at least not without upsetting the system and getting another patch upside my non-existent head, but a word or two would probably be alright?

My other potential avenue would be my aranea and their signs. While the rules for Rockys arena were fine, Im pretty sure the words were checked before going through, it felt like there was a bit of lag on them. The aranea, though, seem to have carte blanche to write whatever they want, as long as its what they want.

I think Ill try signs as basically a letter. Even the rough and direct words the aranea write would probably be better received than a couple ravens yelling Come, come! at windows. Probably save that for emergencies.

I spend a little mana and give the aranea the vague guidelines for what I want, and I can feel that little delay again. It doesnt seem to get rejected, and I dont get told off, so I release the metaphorical breath I was holding, and watch what they come up with.

Come to meet

Come to learn

As was deal

The aranea seem pretty satisfied with their work. Id like a bit more, but I think it gets the point across. I also dont think Ill be able to get much more detail in there, so itll have to do. With two written, I have Poe go deliver the messages while I get Hullbreak and Violets attention. Hullbreak is pretty easy to get to understand, and I can feel his albatros scions nervousness through the bond already. It takes a little more for Violet, but she seems excited once she understands. She first wants to send Cappy, because of course she does, but seems to understand the difficulty with that once I point out he cant really just walk around. She decides to send Nose, and I dont argue with her. She actually has reasons, which is great. She wanted to send Cappy because hes already the one with the best knowledge of outside, which is fair. Legs is busy in the metalworks, which I still need to try to figure out how to get, and Onyx is trying to learn better ways to fight. She heard about Rockys fun, and I think shes inspired.

Poe

The large raven swiftly attends his duties, though perhaps not as swiftly as he could. He must admit that he doesnt take to the sky as often as he potentially should. Perhaps hell start taking some of the closer patrol expeditions, so he can keep in proper shape, yet still remain close enough to render whatever aid Lord Thedeim requests.

He soars towards the Mayoral Manor first, feeling that the Office of Dungeon Affairs is closer to Hullbreak. Flying a bit slower is different from flying inefficiently, and Poe will not excuse the latter for himself. The duty he has is an odd one, and he ponders where it would fit in the hierarchy of strange things Lord Thedeim does. He puts it moderately high on the list simply because of the novelties involved, but it doesnt make it near the top for how unlikely it is to cause great change. Something like the hedge maze was both novel and impactful, but he expects these messages will not cause any great uproar.

His arrival seems it may have, however, as the guards point and mill once they see him. The ashen elf, Miller, greets him at the balcony with a small bow.

Ah, Marshal Poe. To what do we owe the pleasure?

Agreement, answers Poe, and holds out one of the small planks in his talons. The butler accepts it as he would any other missive, and takes a glance at the words there.

Ah, of course. I take it Dungeon Thedeim would like us there at our earliest convenience? Poe nods, and the elf smiles. I shall inform him. I expect he will be eager to attend.

With that, Miller turns and enters the mansion, and Poe takes flight again. The butler has a strange air about him, one that would usually raise Poes suspicions, but Voice Teemo doesnt seem to mind him. Rocky seems to think hed be a good fight, and Poe trusts his instincts, so he is content to not try to press the odd old elf as long as he continues to be respectful.

His flight to the ODA earns some points and stares, but no shouts of alarm. He even identifies looks of respect from what adventurers notice him. He nods at them as he goes, though he doubts many can make it out from the height he soars at. He lands at the door to the ODA, and tilts his head as he ponders how to open it. The design isnt far from the doors Lord Thedeim has in the manor, but said doors are generally more designed for hands and thumbs, not his talons. He could probably knock it open with a gust of wind, but that would be rude. With no other option, he pecks at the wood to knock.

Its open! comes a voice from inside. Telar, if the expedition reports are correct, and he has no reason to doubt them. He pecks again, and hears a voice that, though not entirely new to him, is not one he immediately can identify.

Ill get it, the voice says, and soon the door opens to reveal a catkin. Welcome to the he trails off as he takes in the sight of the raven scion of Lord Thedeim, and turns slightly to speak back into the building.

Uh Tarl?

The indicated elf looks up from his desk, and Poe cant help but give a loud caw at seeing him. How can he not give the traditional greeting to one of Lord Thedeims first delvers?

Tarl stares for a few moments, then shakes his head and stands. Im not going to get squawked at here at work all the time, am I? he asks with a wry smile, and Poe shakes his head and offers the message. Curious, Tarl takes it and reads it. He takes a few more moments to think, confusion on his face, before speaking.

As was deal?

Mayor, answers Poe, and Tarl is quicker to put the pieces together with that hint.

Ah, right! He mentioned working closer together with Thedeim at the speech. Thedeim wants me there, too? Probably to help translate, what with Teemo out.

Poe nods, and Tarl looks over at the catkin. Can I bring my new apprentice? Berdol could use some on-the-job experience. Poe tilts his head at the elf and considers the request. His Lord only said to bring Tarl, but not to bring only Tarl. Rezlar will certainly be bringing Miller at least. Hes also confident that the meeting isnt intended to be anything secret. He nods, and the elf smiles, while the tabby catkin looks uncertain.

Alright Berdol! Lets get geared up! Depending on how long the meeting takes, we might go take a look at the lava tubes, or fight a twinsnake and give it an actual danger rating!

Poe takes flight before Berdol can answer, leaving the two inspectors to their preparations. Nova will probably be happy to see Berdol, if the two have the time to delve after the meeting, and Poe is glad the newest scion is developing a good rapport with the delver. Most of the scions have delvers they enjoy spending some time with, and Poe is certain it has helped the scions and delvers both, which both helps Lord Thedeim.

He circles in a thermal and builds altitude in preparation of flying to the small island in Hullbreak. Perhaps he can forgive himself a bit of inefficient flying, after all. He remembers how different the air was over the ocean when he and the Quartermaster fought. While he doubts theyll have reason to repeat it, he still should take the chance to improve his flying. Hullbreak is probably not the only potential problem that could come from the sea.