Chapter 61: The visitor and The Books

‘knock’ ‘Knock’ “Who is it?” I speak.

A feminine voice replies, “Andira, from the Coven.”

Opening the door, “Hello; I got the letter. Nice to meet you.” I hold out my hand for a handshake.

Inviting her in with a wave of my arm. I sit her down on my new chess table, quickly heading aside to make some tea. “Tea?” I ask politely.

She replies calmly, “Green tea please.”

Remember Cassie's whole situation with green tea, I ask. “If it's for appearances; don’t bother. I have a large variety of fruit teas and other teas if you have other preferences.”

Panic crosses her face before a look of solemn resignation colors her face. “Apple tea; 2 sugars please.”

Glad we got that out of the way. Is something noble about drinking green tea? I finish preparing 2 fruit teas. I personally have a fermented black raspberry leaves tea. Setting them down on the table I note her feminine and noble sitting posture. I personally just sit back comfortably in the chair. They were lovingly hand-carved by a carpenter and inlaid with very soft fabric.

Crossing my arms comfortably across my chest, “I have got to ask, what brings you here? I know I gave you guys the option but it's rather hasty.”

She leans forward, her cleavage showing ever so slightly. “My coven was very impressed by the information you provided. I haven’t personally seen the information but it created quite a stir. I had planned to leave the city anyway so I am going to live here to help facilitate trade deals. And of course, I think you know some good company is hard to come by.”

Flash-back to before Andira left.

Andira stands, back straight. “You called Matriarch?” She asks a rather unassuming looking bronze woman.

“As you know, we had a guest recently. I very important guest. You were originally going to be sent to ‘Angel Wood Town.’ We have decided it's within our best interest you instead move to his town of residents. I trust you received your updated instructions?” She says in a methodical, crisp voice.

Not missing a beat Andria replied in a militaristic tone. “Yes mam, I received detailed instructions on my goals within the town and the money to facilitate said tasks. But…” ‘a Stutter leaving her lips.’ “How can I continue to study my craft, that town Is part of the magicless communities that dislike our kind?”

“If the town can host a witch of his caliber, I see no need for concern. You have been informed of safe houses and entrusted with a teleport rune. You are in no danger; of course, if the local factions choose to put their nose where it doesn’t belong, inform us promptly. Those issues will disappear.” Pushing a package to Andria. “Now, you must be on your way. I trust you will complete your objectives effectively and if it's impossible, you will… fix said issues.” A smirk blooming across the woman's face.

Andria bows, “Yes mam, I will complete the task to the best of my ability.”

Chuckling, “Of course, it can really be a pain to find people to spend time with.” Leaning forward slightly.

She loosens slightly, “Quite the town we have here. I was truly impressed by the island just over the wall. A local townsman said you made it; is that true?”

Contemplating whether to tell her, she will find out eventually. “Yes and no. I built the foundation. The city made It safe and a local attraction.”

Her face blossoms into a smile; “Very impressive, and modest. A handsome quality. What are you like under that mask anyway?”

Taken aback by her assertiveness. “Pale, metallic, and with cats’ eyes.”

She laughs very heavily at that. “I have never heard that response before! Don’t worry eventually I will figure out what you look like. It’s the most exciting part.” She runs her hand over the table. “This table is strange, what is it?” She asks before taking a deep gulp of tea. Her face lighting up in enjoyment.

Smiling lightly, finally, I can show off my creation. “It’s a game called chess, a strategic game. You place the units on the board and each has certain rules. These rules dictate how they can move. With such varying units; it results in a very fun game.” Seeing the look of interest on her face. I know she wants to play so I begin to set the board. For ease of use when preparing the units, I carved the rules for movement on each.

She speaks lightly, like a gentle rain, “So how do you play?”

And so, we played a couple games. She quickly got a handle on the rules and after the first game, I got steamrolled. The games were short. She played very aggressively. I was never much of a chess player, but after playing against her I think I got a better grasp on the game. Bidding her farewell, I continue what I was doing.

Lost in the world of books, I realize I have nearly read my entire supply; this cannot do! I must gather more. To which I march towards the book store. Finding the same poorly maintained store, I regretfully left. I need better books than this dumpster fire.

First, I headed towards the middle-class side of town. It's where most caravans and traveling merchants congregate to sell their wares. The market hosts mostly people who live within or around the city. They buy the items off traders to which they sell on their market. Or in some cases sell what they produce; namely food.

Now in this slightly quieter part of the town, you find freelance traders. Some become very successful; emphasize on ‘some.’ Looking around the stalls I note a clear drop in quality. In the people and the stalls, yet this is my only option to find half-decent books. Looking around the hastily erected stalls, I find a few books dotted around. Most were either falling apart or boring as a brick wall. I did find a few gems in the rough, which I bought promptly.

To supplement my income, I have been offering a custom enchants service. Not as cheap as my original business plan; but people still come. You want a specific enchant like sharpness, yeah that will cost you.

Realizing this will become a reoccurring issue, I need a new source of books. It's my only way to pass the time and relax. Of course, playing with mods is fun, but I need hobbies. I plan on buying some board games soon but for now, I need books as entertainment. It also doubles as a way to become more worldly and versed in how this world functions.

Safely storing my wood-based treasures, I move back to the market. I start asking about well-known libraries and book stores; sources of books and many other similar questions. The holy library in the capital seemed promising, but it's currently very far away. The next town over has a half-decent library apparently so that’s my next goal. I will eventually travel to the capital if only to create a teleporter there.

I quickly say hello to both Jengal and Cassie. Social visits mostly; Jengal told me he had a lead on a item, but he doesn’t want to spoil it. I start flying towards this new town. I haven’t been there before so sadly I must go the old fashion way… or close enough. I am flying after all. It took around a day's flight to get there.

It’s a relatively humble-looking town with a notably large selection of food for sale. Buying up half the market for its unique variety of foods, spices, and teas. I also found a couple varients of salt including golden sea salt and volcanic black salt. The latter being so mineral-rich it changes the flavor of the food.

Heading to the book store I heard so much about… I fall to my knees. A flaming wreck is all that’s left. I sat there for a time mourning the books; alas I must move on. Asking the locals apparently, the still-smoldering ruins caught fire earlier in the day. Some kind of negligence within the build and a dropped candle. All I can say is “Damnit!” I just some more books; is that so much to ask?

Sighing internally, I spend the night in the town before setting off to another town that I heard has an excellent book store. This one was very far away involving several boring days of flying. The only good thing is I found another cloud dungeon with a purplicous cow. Which was a surprise given that item was a reference to the original creator. I would imagine Felix would scrub those from the mods, yet apparently not. I am not complaining it’s a very powerful pet. To which I create a feed bag that stores pet food for convenience.

Slicing down my arm I watch as I hastily regenerate; truly op. It's freaky watching your arm stitch itself together. It's even freakier that I could slice my arm so easily; not fear. I guess dying does that to you.

Coming to the second town, which was added to my warp network as all others. The town has a large wall almost curling over like a protective hug. It results in a slightly shadowy town, the massive amount of drains reeks of rich infrastructure and planning. I have grown used to the guards by this point. Some stop me; some don’t. Ether way since I haven’t broken any laws it's just a minor pain in the ass.

I am expecting to eventually get a bad guard; but so far all reasonable. Looking through the darkened streets I see lamps all around. Varying from blue to yellow but all around the same general theme. Not a ghastly and ghostly blue, more like a calming light blue.

The streets have a steady flow of well-dressed people. Clearly, this town has a strong economy I see few poor or struggling people. Lightly dropping a silver into one of the few homeless people's baskets I move on through the streets. Finding a large library; which both sells and holds books. The building is large and has an arched roof. Thankfully this one is made from stone rather than flammable materials. Entering the ever so slightly foreboding building I find a hallway lit by cyan flames leading into a large room. The room is lined with stacks upon stacks of books and shelves full to the brim.

A small desk rests right after the hallway. An older middle-aged woman with blond hair streaked with white addresses me. A cheery, yet wise tone; “Hello, first time?”

Managing to take my eyes away from the books, “Yes… Yes, my first time.”

She nods knowingly, “Then allow me to give you the tour.”

She guides me through the different rows of well managed and organized books. Everying intelligently placed around. As we walk around, she explains how the library works.

“This library offers 3 services. You can read and peruse the books for free; it’s a public service funded by the local government. You can buy books that we have duplicates of. And an option only for reputable and documented people; rent. Of course, we will always buy any books you wish to offer duplicates or otherwise. As long as they are in a good state; with one exception. Rare books we will always buy irrespective of state for obvious reasons.”

Nodding affirmatively as she speaks, I quickly start running around. I sit down in a well-worn leather seat a book in hand and a smile on my face. A new story to fall into – finally.

I must have spent a long time within the library because the librarian started giving me funny looks before she switched with a different woman. After enjoying myself thoroughly I select a good couple of books to tie me over for a while. Bringing them to the counter I ask to buy their duplicates. They had duplicates of most of the books; although the price made me wince. A couple silvers each or higher depending on each book. A certain military strategy book was a mouth-watering 5 silver.

Scary stuff, at least I now have some reading material to pass the time.