It is not something I would have thought of because it isn't logical, it isn't scientific. When it comes to working with magic, my knowledge of science helps sometimes, but other times it holds me back. This is another way that having Lin around helps me, she was raised on magic only.

Things that science tells me should be impossible are commonplace to her. Of course, there are things she thinks are impossible that I can do thanks to science. There is no telling which way is better, but together we can accomplish a lot more.

"Okay, that's enough stone."

Lin says "Really? I figured you would want all of it."

"No, this is more than enough for what I plan to build."

Lin says "Well, alright."

Lin ends her spell and lets the stone return to being solid, at which point I suck all of it into my ring. The spell used up most of the mana that Lin has left, so I am the one to open a gate back to the ship. Thanks to her killing most of the goblins and orcs I still have enough mana.

The advantage to me opening the gate is that I don't have to shapeshift to go through it. In fact, Lin doesn't even need to get off my back, she just has to duck a bit. As soon as we are through, the kids come down from playing on the cat tree to greet us.

We may be eating dinner a little late, but not late enough for me to have broken my promise. Even with our little detour to the village we still made it back just after sundown. The kids don't even seem to notice that we are a little late, especially once the food is served.

Unfortunately, after cooking enough for everyone there is only enough drake meat left for one more meal. It doesn't help that Nala's appetite has increased since she became a sacred beast. Then again, I knew that the meat wouldn't last for too long, it is just too tasty.

Albion says "Dad, Nala and I have thought about it and we both want to become knights."

"Alright. When you are done eating, go find Brightfire and tell her."

Albion says "You don't mind do you?"

"No. Actually, I am happy to see you choosing your own paths."

Once everyone is done eating, Albion and Nala leave to go find Brightfire. Mulan and Mushu go back to playing on the cat tree, so I take out the sword that Lin got from the villagers. Now that I can look at it properly I am puzzled by the fact there are no enchantments.

"Seronia, Krenocia, there is something here you should look at."

When I first say their names I can feel their attention focus on me and then the sword. There is a flash of light and then their avatars appear on the other side of the table. Seronia picks up the sword and the two of them spend a few minutes examining it.

Seronia says "Ash, where did you find this?"

"Actually, Lin did. I'll let her tell you the story."

Lin seems surprised, but she starts telling the story that the village shared with us. The goddesses are acting calm, but I know them well enough to tell they are excited. It seems that the sword is something good, or at least something useful.

Krenocia says "It is a good thing that you took the sword from them. If a beast had eaten it, horrible things would have happened."

"Does that mean you recognize the sword? I can feel divine energy in it, but I can't detect any enchantments."

Seronia says "There are enchantments on it, but only a god can see them. This is the personal weapon of a deity."

"So, does that mean it is useful to you?"

Seronia says "Not to me, but my sister can use it."

Krenocia says "There is another option, Ash could use it."

"Me? How come?"

Krenocia says "The god who made this sword had the major domain of beast slaying. While I can use it as a goddess of death, you could also use it."

"Wouldn't that turn me into a god?"

Seronia says "No. The sword alone wouldn't be enough for you to become a god. However, it would get you closer to becoming one."

"Nope, not interested. I would rather you get stronger."

Krenocia says "Alright. Did you think of a reward you want?"

"Actually, yes. I want all of my kids to be able to gain levels."

Seronia says "Done. I will see to it."

Krenocia takes the sword from her sister and then her avatar disappears. Seronia sticks around long enough to say thank you and goodbye before she also vanishes. I feel like they didn't tell us everything about the sword, but that is alright, I trust them.

Lin says "Now what? Going to work on the castle?"

"I can't. At least not on the ship. Later, in the soulscape, I will figure out the design I want to use. I will go ashore somewhere tomorrow to build it."

Lin says "Yeah, I guess it would be hard to build a castle on the ship. I didn't think of that. In that case can you make something for me?"

"Sure, what do you want?"

Lin says "A ring."

"Um, err. That's a little fast isn't it?"

Lin says "Oh, no, I didn't mean that kind of ring!"

"Then what kind of ring did you mean?"

Lin says "I want a ring that can store pure mana."

"I can do that, but do you really need it? Your mana pool is huge."

Lin says "When you run out of mana you can just fight with your physical strength. I, on the other hand, am only a mage. When I run out of mana I become completely defenseless. With the crazy spells we have been casting lately, running out of mana is a concern."

"Alright, I will make you a ring. Do you know how to wield any weapons? If not, do you want to learn?"

Lin says "No, I don't. When I lived in the capital it didn't really seem necessary. Now, I think maybe it would be a good idea."

"Okay, let me make the ring. Then we'll talk weapons."

Since it is for mana storage I am going to use the silver for the base of the ring. However, I want more than that so I am going to add some gems as well. I decide to go with diamonds, small ones embedded all around the ring.

Cutting gems that small is actually made easier by the fact that I can shrink now. By the time I have all the gems cut, Lin has gotten the babies to bed and Nala and Albion have returned. So, I take a break from working on the ring, open up a soulscape, and invite the normal crowd.

Once everyone is invited, I move off to the side and start working on designing the castle. As far as castles go, this one is going to be fairly small, only two stories, more of a keep. In fact, I have seen mansions in this world bigger than what I am planning to build.