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Table of Contents

Updates and progress Amatherean Tales - One Flew Over The Dragon's Nest Book 1 Chapter 1 - Squished Chapter 2 - The Computer Says No Chapter 3 - T's & C's Chapter 4 - Evad Si Eht Tseb Chapter 5 - Starter Zone Chapter 6 - First Combat Chapter 7 - Level Up Chapter 8 - Lore And Order Chapter 9 - Farming Chapter 10 - Badger, Badger, Badger Chapter 11 - Soooooo Sad Chapter 12 - Doe a Deer Chapter 13 - Grey Areas Chapter 14 - Freeeeeedom Airlines Chapter 15 - Hoglings Upgrade Chapter 16 - Killic Chapter 17 - Tailor Fizzlewick Chapter 18 - Eye of the Town Chapter 19 - Bath and Bored Chapter 20 - Graveyard Shift Chapter 21 - Shopping Chapter 22 - Crypt Diving Chapter 23 - Salty Chapter 24 - Water Fight Chapter 25 - Makes No Sense Chapter 26 - Profession Chapter 27 - Hidden Gem Chapter 28 - Cheat Chapter 29 - The Pox Chapter 30 - The Docks Chapter 31 - The Wandering Ogre Chapter 32 - One Good Deed Deserves Another Chapter 33 - You Would Think He Would Think Chapter 34 - Visitor Chapter 35 - Bob! Chapter 36 - Announcements Chapter 37 - Discovery Chapter 38 - Heresy Chapter 39 - A Bolt From The Blue Chapter 40 - Martial Arts Chapter 41 - Not So Familiar Chapter 42 - Up, Up, and Away Chapter 43 - The Not Living, Living Chapter 44 - Adjudicator Chapter 45 - Breakfast At The Hogling Arms Chapter 46 - Compound Chapter 47 - Burn Baby Burn Chapter 48 - When It Rains It Pours Chapter 49 - Bordon The Brandisher Chapter 50 - Distracted Chapter 51 - Thanks Chapter 52 - Looking Down Chapter 53 - Broken Heart Chapter 54 - Emotional Progress One Flew Over The Dragon's Nest Book 2 Chapter 1 - Training & Development Chapter 2 - Cottages Chapter 3 - Homemaker Chapter 4 - Mushroom, Mushroom Chapter 5 - Skill Selection Chapter 6 - Not Leaving The Past Behind Chapter 7 - Kata Claws Chapter 8 - Missing Gnoll Chapter 9 - Oooo Shiny Chapter 10 - Homeward Bound! Chapter 11 - Friends Of The Forest Chapter 12 - Mountains And Mithril Chapter 13 - An Idea Perhaps Chapter 14 - Insanity Chapter 15 - What's A Borzie? Chapter 16 - Amatherean Stand-off Chapter 17 - Charge Chapter 18 - Legionnaire Chapter 19 - Second Chance Chapter 20 - Sandboxes And Sandcastles Chapter 21 - Future Remembrance Chapter 22 - What Mana Chapter 23 - Council Chapter 24 - Gobbler Chapter 25 - Professional Opportunity Chapter 26 - Acquaintances Chapter 27 - Proposal Chapter 28 - Votes Count Chapter 29 - Who, What, Why Chapter 30 - Angelic Presence Chapter 31 - What! Chapter 32 - Magical Transference Chapter 33 - Fire Chapter 34 - From Above Chapter 35 - Wyvern Chapter 36 - Darren Chapter 37 - New Allegiances Chapter 38 - Setting Quests Chapter 39 - There And Back Again Chapter 40 - Missing Chapter 41 - Into The Dark Chapter 42 - Pit Chapter 43 - Following Orders Chapter 44 - Grey Matter Chapter 45 - Unknown Chapter 46 - Progressing Well Chapter 47 - Don't Go Down There Chapter 48 - The Root Of All Evil Chapter 49 - Archery Chapter 50 - Mistake Chapter 51 - Highs And Lows Chapter 52 - Secrets Chapter 53 - A Binding Oath Amatherean Tales - One Flew Over The Dragon's Nest Book 3 Chapter 1 - Road Trip Chapter 2 - Cuopi Chapter 3 - Mollic Chapter 4 - If It Happens Chapter 5 - Asterfal Chapter 6 - Introductions Chapter 7 - Future and Foresight Chapter 8 - Breakfast and Bed Chapter 9 - Freefall Chapter 10 - Petunia Chapter 11 - Dinner Party Chapter 12 - Carlito Chapter 13 - Confirmed Chapter 14 - Searching Chapter 15 - Quiller Chapter 16 - Black Griffin Chapter 17 - Shark Bait Chapter 18 - Caged Animals Chapter 19 - Release Chapter 20 - Class Development Chapter 21 - Job Chapter 22 - Mind Games Chapter 23 - Incomprehensible Chapter 24 - Property and Proposal Chapter 25 - At Long Last Chapter 26 - Moon and Sickle Chapter 27 - New Branch Chapter 28 - Zigferd Chapter 29 - Proposition Chapter 30 - Levels Don't Matter Chapter 31 - Triple X Chapter 32 - Marriage Chapter 33 - Paranoia, Pets, Possessions Chapter 34 - Vows Chapter 35 - His Lordship Chapter 36 - Diplomatic Relations Chapter 37 - Synchronisation Chapter 38 - Saviour Chapter 39 - Normality Chapter 40 - Sunstone and Lollipops Chapter 41 - Paws for Claws Chapter 42 - The Squirrel Sphere Chapter 43 - Departure Chapter 44 - Clock Tower Chapter 45 - Warehouse Chapter 46 - It's a Trap! Chapter 47 - Audits and Enchantments Chapter 48 - Confronted Chapter 49 - Payback Chapter 50 - Life and Death Chapter 51 - Going Home

In the world of Amathera

Visit Amathera

Ongoing 3385 Words

Chapter 39 - Normality

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The meal with Jay had been amazing. Jay took her to a bar on the outskirts of District 1. The area was undeniably an orc controlled area of the city. She only saw three others who weren't orcs. With the city being so diverse, it had surprised her that the area was so heavily orc focussed. She assumed it was no different to areas of London which had such a huge, diverse population that certain areas were predominantly of one kind.

"Thanks for tonight Jay. You took my mind off the earlier problems."

"No problem. I'm glad you liked the food. I will speak to the lads."

SJ climbed from the cart, smiling, moving around the rear before shrinking. Taking off, she headed to her room in the tower. Entering, she checked the room, knowing that Raceillia could fly and reach it if she knew where she was staying. It was empty, and she walked to the wardrobe and emptied all her belongings. 

"What are you doing?" Dave asked.

'Going home. There are no more council meetings due. I have the details confirmed with Fasvil and will communicate with him as things progress. Apart from that, I may as well use the house I bought.'

"Is it not safer to stay here?"

'Is anywhere safer? I have been attacked here twice already, and no one knows where my house is apart from Jay and Cristy's family. Even Zigferd hasn't been there yet. Since the house was bought, it looks like Yawnee and Lurtew own it. They are the ones who work out of there each day.'

"I suppose it makes sense. It's just that there are more here to help if you get attacked."

'If I get attacked, I doubt it will be in the manner she attacked me last time. She thought she had time to deal with me. I am sure she could have killed me much faster if she had wished. Which negates anyone else being around.'

"Okay. I just wanted to voice my concerns."

'And they are appreciated,' SJ smiled. 'So have you finished breaking your code fully now?'

Dave broke out in a madman's cackle. "No way near. I am down to the next lock now. This one is even worse than the last one, but I will keep going."

'You didn't tell me the details it had opened when synchronisation reached 50%.'

"I wasn't sure if you would want to know?"

'Of course I want to know.'

"Okay. It's fascinating, but I also don't know what some of it means."

'You don't know what it means?'

"No. There are no proper descriptions of anything. It is like a new coding level has been created that sits between the interface and yourself. Do you know how networks are constructed?"

SJ had a vague recollection of it, but didn't know any specifics. 'Vaguely.'

“This would be classed as a user level, taking everything from application to a higher level. Similar to your visual interface and selection method, you have through thought on your display, but it is more advanced. It looks directly at neurological links, but not just yours. It is like the Gargle Earth of Amathera on a thought level.”

'That sounds more like a type of symbiosis?'

"Meh. I can't put it in words that make sense. Imagine having access to what the system sees. The coding, the ability to influence, the requiem, choices, actions, decisions. Understanding and knowledge beyond our wildest dreams."

The thought of having access to everything in Amathera was daunting. She struggled to fully comprehend and appreciate much of what she had seen from her limited exposure to the world. Never mind, if it was developing to a level above her own.

‘Isn’t that the perspective of gods on Amathera?’

"I don't know. It may be. It's completely new, but I will analyse the information and code and see what I can work out."

The thought that she may view the world as a god reminded her of Jaristi. She wished she could talk to Nexis. After collecting and adding all her belongings to her inventory, she returned to the balcony. SJ took another quick look around the room, ensuring she had left nothing. She took off and flew down to the ground level, landing in her usual bush and transforming. 

Entering the tower, she approached the desk, where a clerk was sitting half-dozing because of the time of day. Disturbing them and receiving a grumpy response, she returned the room key. 

'One last coffee, I think,' SJ thought, walking to the dining hall. Going to the kitchen, a server met her, and within moments, a steaming pot of coffee and a mug sat on the table in the dining hall. As she sat there, she felt a strange vibration. She had no pockets on her dress and wondered where it came from.

'Why is something vibrating?'

"That will be your communication stone."

'Oh,' she said, removing it from her inventory. The gem was glowing. It turned solid when she pressed the gem, and Cristy's voice came through.

"SJ?"

"Hi, Cristy." Hearing Cristy's voice so clearly through the device was amazing. "How are you?"

"We have just arrived. Reay said I could give you a quick call, but she wasn't sure when I could call you again once my trial started."

"How was the journey?"

"Amazing. I rode on a horse, it was wonderful. I don't know why I haven't ridden one before."

"Probably because you were too used to sitting on the back of a dire wolf," SJ laughed.

"True, and it didn't compare to Patch."

"What's it like?"

"Don't really know yet. It's too dark to see the place well. I am sleeping in the main hall tonight and will see the overseer in the morning. Reay's lovely. She has been really nice."

"That's good to hear. I wouldn't want to have to come and sort anyone out."

Cristy laughed, which was music to SJ's ears. "I better go. I just wanted to say thank you, don't worry, and I love you."

"Love you too," SJ said as the crystal stopped glowing. Holding the stone in her hand, she brushed her hand across its surface, staring at it, transfixed. She would miss Cristy so much, and her heart ached at the thought. As she went to place the stone back into her inventory, it vibrated in her hand.

Pressing the gem again, it went solid.

"Cristy, so soon."

"You called," the voice that registered with SJ's ears was one she was not expecting to hear.

"Nexis?"

"Yes. Who do you think it is? Is there any other who has my charm and speech?"

"But how did you? I didn't have a communication stone when I left Killic. Okay, forget what I just said. I thought about speaking to you, and you knew?"

"It came through as a priority prayer. It was the first I had received from you, so I thought it must be urgent since you have never prayed before."

"I didn't realise I had prayed this time," SJ frowned.

"Ah, well, semantics. So, what did you need to talk to me about?"

"Firstly, do you know what has been happening in Asterfal?"

"If I said I don't, would that help?"

"So, you know what has happened?"

"Not all details, but most things. I believe Zigferd is married. That came as a surprise, and before you ask, I have told no one. And yes, I am aware of most of the problems you have been facing. That latest one is an interesting twist."

"So you know why I wanted to talk, then?"

"Nope."

"After my most recent incident, it was rumoured that a certain sibling of yours may be involved."

"A sibling of mine, you say," mild surprise in Nexis's reply.

"Yes. Jaristi. I don't know specifics, but he may be involved somehow."

"Really? Now that is interesting. Jaristi hasn't been heard in the temple halls for a long time. After the scrug wars, he dissolved his voting rights. I always wondered what he had got up to. I will have to speak to some of my siblings. They may be in a better position than myself."

SJ was concerned by Nexis's response. There was a tone of uncertainty that she had never heard from the god before.

Sighing, SJ said. “I still don’t understand why I have drawn so much attention from anyone.”

"I told you when we first met that you are different. What you have achieved in your short time here in Amathera has many in the temple openly discussing you. The alignment balance is being altered. It is subtle and fine, but it is beginning to change."

"What does that mean?"

"Only time will tell. I will speak to my brethren and let you know if I discover anything interesting. I must go. The inn is busy, and a musician can't keep his fans waiting forever."

The gem on the stone went dull, and SJ stared at it again. This time, perplexed.

'He is a god. He can do two things at once. That was a lame excuse to leave the call.'

"You informed him of something he didn't know about, which will have concerned him more than anything else."

Leaving the tower, SJ changed and flew to her house. Surveying the area before she moved from the rear to land on the balcony at the front. The door was unlocked, and entering, SJ quickly checked the room before turning and locking the balcony door and closing the drapes. There were windows on either side of the room, and moving to the rear, she closed the drapes before lighting a lantern. All the items that were purchased were in a neat stack on a table. Walking over, SJ emptied the remainder of her inventory from the tower, adding it to the items, before walking to the bed. 

As she tested the firmness of the mattress, she realised it was her first time staying in the room. The bed linen felt soft to her touch, and she stood undressing before sliding under the sheets. The initial cold from the sheets soon dissipated, and warmth enveloped her.

'Dave?'

"Yes?"

'I'm sorry I shouted at you earlier.'

"I deserved it."

'Yes, you did, but I still wanted to apologise.'

Dave chuckled, "Night SJ."

When SJ awoke the next morning, the room was in darkness. The drapes did an excellent job of keeping the daylight out. She walked to the sink in her room and tried the water. Thankfully, it ran hot, and Lurtew must have confirmed the monthly fee with the mage's guild. She would have to ask him how much they charged. She didn't think it would be cheap and didn't want to leave them short of funds. Washing, she dressed, adjusting her dress to a more casual colour and style that reflected many she had seen worn in the city. Walking to the drapes, she opened them, allowing the morning sun to enter the room. The sunrise in Amathera followed the same pattern as Earth. Rising in the east and setting in the west. The house faced east, so the sun streamed in the window.

She opened the balcony door and moved onto the balcony. From her vantage point, she could see over the inner wall and watch the comings and goings of those at the edges of the inner city. The street below already had several wagons moving along, and she heard the voice of Lurtew call as a large wagon being drawn by a team of horses stopped outside the house.

"Morning Hershy. I will bring the barrels out."

"How many do you have for me today?"

"Eight, unfortunately, with everything moving, we are a couple behind."

"That should be fine. The guild knew you were moving, so it won't impact your standing."

"Thanks, Hershy. I will just be a moment."

SJ watched as Lurtew rolled the newly made barrels out from the garage area and up the ramp into the wagon's rear. Hershy then handed him a small parchment slip before bidding him farewell and continuing down the street. The comment about the guild standing intrigued SJ.

'Dave. What does the standing mean that Hershy mentioned?'

"Guilds use standings with traders. Depending upon your standing, you get better rates usually. No different to your reputation standings and bonuses you receive for experience."

'I wonder how they decide on standings.'

"You would need to speak to Lurtew; he may know, but it's unlikely. Guilds are normally very secretive about how they use standings."

Entering the room, SJ locked the balcony door and placed the key in her inventory. She wanted to ensure she could access it from outside, but would not leave it unlocked in case Raceillia discovered where she lived. Her overarching problem in the city was that there were very few fae. She had seen a couple of others while she had moved around the city, but her kind was a rarity. 

'I wonder how Zigferd got on with his errands last night.'

"That Isavil is a slave driver. I'm not sure he made the right decision," Dave said.

'Ha. He will be fine. He wouldn't do it if he didn't love her.'

SJ left the room, opening the door to smell her favourite morning smell wafting up the stairs: coffee.

"Morning," SJ called as she started down the stairs. She would have to consider a way to let Yawnee and Lurtew know she was in the house. Coming and going via the balcony all the time may cause issues otherwise.

Yawnee's voice came up the stairs, "Morning, SJ. I thought I heard you last night."

SJ walked down to the first floor, where the kitchen, office, and lounge were. Seeing Yawnee's smiling face, looking from the kitchen.

"Sorry. I hope I didn't disturb you. It was late when I returned."

"No. I couldn't sleep last night. I was worrying about Cristy."

"I spoke to her last night. She let me know she had arrived safely. She wasn't sure when she could call again, but she was happy. Reay, who she left with, said she was very nice."

"You spoke to her?"

"Yes. I gave her a communication stone so she can contact me when she is able."

"That's a relief, at least. I was worried we may hear nothing at all."

"I am sure she will be fine. Knowing how she is, she will make friends quickly, and she is so determined that I am sure she will do well."

"I hope so. It's been a blessing with her being here. Lurtew and I have never managed to have children and having Cristy around has been lovely. She has made me feel so much younger."

"I think she has enough energy for twenty beings, at least. She doesn't stop normally."

"I can see. Coffee?"

"Yes, please," SJ smiled, sitting at the kitchen table. Yawnee poured a mug and placed it down for her.

Picking up the mug in her hands, she held it under her nose, sniffing the bitter smell.

"Nothing better," SJ said, sipping the hot liquid. "I noticed that there is hot water. Do you know how much it costs?"

"Lurtew said that the initial charges were twenty silver, and then there is a recurring monthly fee. It can alter depending on the mana use, but they said a basic rate of four silver per month, but they won't know until we have been here a while and see how much mana we use."

"That sounds fair. I will ensure I leave funds to cover any costs before leaving."

"Are you going soon?"

"I'm not sure exactly when yet. Zigferd and Isavil have some things to sort out first, and I also need to get another couple of items. I can always portal back anyway rather than go via coach. While I remember thinking about portals. When I level up next, I will create a portal in the backyard. I will need to ensure that nothing is blocking it being set up."

Yawnee was looking at SJ with a questioning gaze.

"What?" SJ asked, frowning.

"Sorry. I'm still trying to get used to all these changes. You talk about portals as if they are nothing."

"Oh. Sorry, I didn't consider them to be something special. Please don't take offence," SJ's cheeks flushed.

"No need to be sorry. I have heard of them, but I never knew anyone with one. This is your house. You can do in it as you wish."

"I may have paid for the house, but it is your home. You and Lurtew are the ones who live here daily. I will only be here when needed in Asterfal. It is for you to use and do as you wish, and I will let you know if anything is going on."

A tear formed in Yawnee's eye. "I can't believe you have done so much for us. We are not even family and haven't known each other for over a few days."

"You are Cristy's family, and Cristy is as close to family as I have in Amathera. Therefore, you are also my family. I will always take care of my family," SJ smiled. "Is there anything for breakfast?"

Grinning, Yawnee opened a cupboard, which was coated with ice inside. Lifting a bag out, she removed some hogling rashers. "Hogling sandwiches?"

"That would be amazing. I didn't know there was an icebox?"

"I had it installed when the mages came to do the hot water. I couldn't resist. I hope you don't mind?"

"Not at all."

They sat chatting while the hogling fried off on the stove when Lurtew's voice drifted up the stairs. "Can I smell hogling?"

"Yes dear. It will be another minute."

"Great. I'm starving." Lurtew appeared in the kitchen doorway. "Morning SJ."

"Morning."

"I will go and wash up," Lurtew said as he disappeared up to the bathroom.

Not long after, the three of them sat at the kitchen table, drinking coffee after having their fill of hogling. Lurtew had just finished explaining the standing that the Brewers Guild used. They had both been coopers for a long time with the guild and sat on the fourth tier. There were six in total. SJ had questioned if they were fourth tier why they still earned so little for each barrel they produced.

Lurtew had explained that the tiers protected you from being removed from the guild if you didn't meet quotas, not a financial difference. New coopers were always trying to join the guild, which had a limited number of places available, so being a higher tier gave you protection rights. The guild could replace tier-one members with newer members if they did not meet their quotas sooner. It was a competitive profession. SJ couldn't imagine spending the hours they did each day making barrels for the little they earned. 

Finishing her coffee, SJ said she would be back later and that, for now, she would only ever be coming and going from her room rather than using the front door. When Lurtew had questioned SJ, she had said she preferred to fly rather than walk the streets, not wanting to burden them with her current problems. The real reason was that she didn't want to draw attention to the house. Heading back upstairs, she walked to the rear window. At the rear, there was nothing that overlooked the property where the yard was situated. The windows opened outwards, and she would have to consider getting a door and balcony installed on this side in the long term, providing her with a second entrance. 

Making sure she had everything she needed for the day, she opened the balcony and locked it again before shrinking. It wasn't easy to see the balcony from the street unless you were looking from the inner city. Doing one last check, she took off back over the building. She would see Jay and ask him to check on sunstones at the auction house, then find Zigferd before trying to finish her shopping for new weapons. She thought it unlikely that Raceillia would try and attack her in the open in daylight, but still didn't want to make herself an easy target.


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